I've been noticing some changes in dad over the last few weeks. His decline into AD has been quite rapid- going from 17 to 12 on his mmse in 14 months, but now he seems to be slipping further.
I guess it started with the slip in his personal hygiene a few months ago. He began having more and more trouble with his shower routine. Now he cannot shave himself without cutting his face all over. He worries about it a lot, even asks me to do it. But even if I knew how, I fear I would cut him- I've always had shaky hands for a start!
He has become scared of the cats. We have two. He is still affectionate with them, but hates them climbing on him, woe betide they get near his face. He is convinced that they scratch and bite him, particularly the younger of the two, who's character he constantly 'puts down'. He has even suggested we get rid of them!
Then last week, for the first time, he started asking where his parents were. He wandered off after day care on Tuesday, was gone for more than an hour (frantic searching on my part brought nothing). When he did reappear he told me he had gone home, found his mum who was with two young men, and they wouldn't let him in!
Thursday I returned home from work to find the house full of gas. There was a ring on in the kitchen and dad was oblivious to it. This is the second time this has happened. After the first I had an isolation switch fitted. It has made no difference. I suspect dad has broken the lock on it- it no longer works, and he seems to just switch it back on when I leave. The thermos of tea I leave out, and the fact I hide the kettle makes no difference.
The last couple of days he has been asking where he can go to live. He tells me he told the people he was with (his day care perhaps?) that he was happy to stay there and they 'got nasty' with him.
I fear it is rapidly getting to the point where he can't be left alone, but I cannot give him the level of care he requires. Even were I to give up my job (which I am very reluctant to do for the sake of my own health and sanity) it would not be long before I couldn't cope.
But I have no idea what to do next. Without a social worker, and being just above the threshold of £23,000 I have no idea whether the decision is even mine.
I have to go to work now. Just hope there's no problems today.
I guess it started with the slip in his personal hygiene a few months ago. He began having more and more trouble with his shower routine. Now he cannot shave himself without cutting his face all over. He worries about it a lot, even asks me to do it. But even if I knew how, I fear I would cut him- I've always had shaky hands for a start!
He has become scared of the cats. We have two. He is still affectionate with them, but hates them climbing on him, woe betide they get near his face. He is convinced that they scratch and bite him, particularly the younger of the two, who's character he constantly 'puts down'. He has even suggested we get rid of them!
Then last week, for the first time, he started asking where his parents were. He wandered off after day care on Tuesday, was gone for more than an hour (frantic searching on my part brought nothing). When he did reappear he told me he had gone home, found his mum who was with two young men, and they wouldn't let him in!
Thursday I returned home from work to find the house full of gas. There was a ring on in the kitchen and dad was oblivious to it. This is the second time this has happened. After the first I had an isolation switch fitted. It has made no difference. I suspect dad has broken the lock on it- it no longer works, and he seems to just switch it back on when I leave. The thermos of tea I leave out, and the fact I hide the kettle makes no difference.
The last couple of days he has been asking where he can go to live. He tells me he told the people he was with (his day care perhaps?) that he was happy to stay there and they 'got nasty' with him.
I fear it is rapidly getting to the point where he can't be left alone, but I cannot give him the level of care he requires. Even were I to give up my job (which I am very reluctant to do for the sake of my own health and sanity) it would not be long before I couldn't cope.
But I have no idea what to do next. Without a social worker, and being just above the threshold of £23,000 I have no idea whether the decision is even mine.
I have to go to work now. Just hope there's no problems today.
