I visited my wife in her care home for the first time today. She seemed more settled than I would have thought after just a week. She talked about going home and to her gran’s but not much. She sat still for most of the time that I was there. From speaking to a staff member, it seems that my wife is still wandering (but not far), refusing to get undressed for bed, wearing multiple layers of clothing and speaking her mind about other people (in their hearing). This is only to be expected but I’m sure some of these behaviours will change over time. I was told, and noticed myself, that she seems to have bonded with another resident lady. It is strange because neither of them seems to hear/understand what the other has just said.
Above all, my visit confirmed that there is no way that I could accept my wife coming back to live here. She is now better looked after and has more human contact and seemed to be in quite a sunny mood. The first 3 months' stay are considered a trial period and can be terminated with a week’s notice. I have a strong presumption that – unless something untoward happens – my wife will be staying at the residential home long term. If not there, she will need to live somewhere that gives her the 24 hour care she needs and that is not at home with me.
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A big decision but one that was already 90% made when I dropped my wife off last Monday.
Above all, my visit confirmed that there is no way that I could accept my wife coming back to live here. She is now better looked after and has more human contact and seemed to be in quite a sunny mood. The first 3 months' stay are considered a trial period and can be terminated with a week’s notice. I have a strong presumption that – unless something untoward happens – my wife will be staying at the residential home long term. If not there, she will need to live somewhere that gives her the 24 hour care she needs and that is not at home with me.
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A big decision but one that was already 90% made when I dropped my wife off last Monday.
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