Hi everyone,
I have been looking after my Mum for two years now. She is in the final stages of the horrible condition. I regretfully came to the decision I had to place her into care. I had held off on doing this for as long as I can. Mum was getting worse. Usually sociable and elated, she was losing more and more of herself, becoming extremely difficult and unmanageable. (I hate to use that word but that was how it felt - like I was trying to juggle cats...Not that I have, but you know what I mean.)
I took advice from everyone off of here and I thank you for your support.
I accompanied her to the home this morning. It was horrible. For me. Mum was most of the time unaware. I told her it was a social club where she would meet other people like her, talk and 'have cake'. (The closing deal for Mum.) Throughout the car journey I was distracting her - 'Do you see this? Did you hear about that?' - and we got there without incident.
The home had suggested I drop her off and they would take her for a cup of tea. I would leave without goodbyes and not to visit for 10 days or so. I can ring but they would need time to settle her.
I struggled with this all weekend - how I was making too much of this, I can care for her, she is not so bad, etc. And then she was watching 'Songs Of Praise' this morning and a piece about maternity nurses had convinced her that she had given birth about (near as I could tell) an hour before.
It was time. It just hurts. I am fully convinced I am the World's Worst Son. I keep picturing her in her bedroom tonight shouting for me (as she does) in the dark.
Not a new thought but dementia hurts everyone around its primary sufferer.
I have been looking after my Mum for two years now. She is in the final stages of the horrible condition. I regretfully came to the decision I had to place her into care. I had held off on doing this for as long as I can. Mum was getting worse. Usually sociable and elated, she was losing more and more of herself, becoming extremely difficult and unmanageable. (I hate to use that word but that was how it felt - like I was trying to juggle cats...Not that I have, but you know what I mean.)
I took advice from everyone off of here and I thank you for your support.
I accompanied her to the home this morning. It was horrible. For me. Mum was most of the time unaware. I told her it was a social club where she would meet other people like her, talk and 'have cake'. (The closing deal for Mum.) Throughout the car journey I was distracting her - 'Do you see this? Did you hear about that?' - and we got there without incident.
The home had suggested I drop her off and they would take her for a cup of tea. I would leave without goodbyes and not to visit for 10 days or so. I can ring but they would need time to settle her.
I struggled with this all weekend - how I was making too much of this, I can care for her, she is not so bad, etc. And then she was watching 'Songs Of Praise' this morning and a piece about maternity nurses had convinced her that she had given birth about (near as I could tell) an hour before.
It was time. It just hurts. I am fully convinced I am the World's Worst Son. I keep picturing her in her bedroom tonight shouting for me (as she does) in the dark.
Not a new thought but dementia hurts everyone around its primary sufferer.