Hi All
I just wanted to update you about mum as she has been in the care home just over 2 months now. She continues to be settled and enjoying all the activities. The home has just started a facebook page where they upload photos and video clips so I can see on a regular basis that mum is joining in and is happy. That, and the fact that she is now eating and drinking, changing clothes etc has given my sister and I such peace of mind.She was on antibiotics for an ear infection, but this was swiftly dealt with , and I know that if she was still at home she wouldn't have understood when to take the tablets.
I was up visiting for a few days after Christmas and she was pleased to see me, but never asked about going home, tho she did say that she wasn't there all the time and she didn't want her house to be sold.
Talking of which, my sister and I are thinking about putting the house on the market, as although mum can fund for about 2 years, we don't want to continue to maintain it over the next winter.
So when I go back next month I will get some Estate Agents round to value it and start the ball rolling.
My sister visits a couple of times a week and I go up for a few days alternate months now, instead of every 4 weeks. This has really eased our burden, as we no longer have shopping, washing, cleaning etc to do so we are both feeling much less stressed.
But as you all know there is still plenty of things to do for mum, paperwork/telephone calls for getting the higher level of AA, changing address, sorting insurance etc, as well as weekly phone calls so we will still be busy, but now feel that we have a life too.
So for all those on TP who are just thinking about care homes, I can say that I never thought mum would settle as well as she has as she was adamant that she was never going into a home, so things may turn out better than you think.