I am lucky enough my dad is more than happy nowadays to wear the pads and seems to be cool with the pull ups instead of conventional underwear.

We are always using the washing machine, but annoyingly I hardly get a chance to wash my own clothes (get time once a week right now to do a load). It's difficult keeping up with my own personal needs, as I just don't see it as a priority. I shower at my girlfriends flat twice or three times a week and just flannel wash at home.

Dad is sleeping more and more. I reckon he is now sleeping 10 to 13 hours a day. Is the increase in sleep normal for people who may have dementia? Or just old age? About a year ago dad slept 6-8 hours a day.

 

At his worst, dad lashes out verbally calling me and my sister liars, I have had to be much more confident with medical professionals, even if dad doesn't like it. As skirting around issues hasn't helped. I have been chasing various things with dads health, incontinence clinic appointments, physio appointments (they're supposed to be seeing him at home), we get his prescriptions sent to the house by the pharmacy now at least. My work has been helpful, but I think they have started to become a tad more annoyed. But there isn't much they can do about it.

 

My dad would probably not want a befriender, he doesn't really like 'people, and even having the carers coming in is about all he can just about take.

My dads blood sugars were very low when the district nurses came this evening. They left a note in his book saying that his son wasn't around. I feel very annoyed as I went to see my sick girlfriend for about 5 hours and he has the carers. It's almost like they expect me at home 24/7

 

This morning my dad had a very out of character turn, shouting and swearing at his carers. I apologised to them, but he refused they went near him, so I had to wash and get him changed (again, I was rushing on my way to work before this happened, so late again!). Hopefully this is not a new trend or development of (possible) dementia, as I made it clear to dad I would not be washing and dressing him every day...

 

Walking is becoming harder...
It has become more and more obvious over the past few weeks that dad is strugling more and more with walking around the house, he has gone from needing the walking stick for when he goes out, to needing the stick around the house to needing to use his frame in the house in the past few months. As I've probably said here, dad forgets to use his stick or frame, at worst he forgets he needs it, he also forgets where he puts it. Seeing him grabbing on to everything to get to the bathroom is pretty sad. He has been find it more and more difficult getting out of his chair and sitting down. He's had problems with his leg since he broke his hip after his bike hit a car several years back.

The doctor seems to suggest that he just needs physiotherapy, but to be honest, I'm not sure this is the case and I'm not sure that physio will give him much improvement. It's not like he just sits down all day, even if he isn't getting out the house much after his last fall. To me it seems more like it's a huge problem with co-ordination which is falling away. it's the same with his hands, after I check his blood sugars on his fingers, he will just hold his arm out until he's told to put it down, he gets confused as to how he's supposed to hold his arm up (if that makes sense?) It's almost like he's having to put so much extra thought into walking and doing things with his arms.

Could his be related to possible dementia? Or is it just a case that the physios need to be involved? Wouldn't mind hearing past experiences with similar things from people here.

 

My dad had to have a hip replacement several years ago, due to the bike accident and had walked with a stick ever since then (only when going out of the house). He did also fracture his pelvis a few months back, but the hospital doctor said it wouldn't be of any issue as it was very minor. While that could be the issue, I am really not convinced. I am also now having to take dad to all appointments in a wheelchair.

 

Oh, just to also add, I'm getting more convinced he (probably) is now more than likely in moderate to later stages.... the changes are becoming more and more rapid. (I recall seeing someone post a link to the stages of dementia on this forum, and thinking... oh wow, dad's decline has been rapid). Although, it does seem me and my sister are the only ones really seeing it...

 

Today I get home from work to poo on the living room floor. Dad insists he has no idea how it got there. He's wearing different trousers from the morning, but the carer may have changed him earlier in the day. I'm finding this very difficult. Dad said it must have been someone else. He then tells me I'm making things up, despite me being on my hands and knees cleaning up the carpet. My chest felt tight, apparently I want the house. I don't... I really don't... I would rather be out of here and far away. I spouted off, "if I didn't want you here, why would I be washing your clothes, doing your blood sugars, and cleaning this carpet". He knows, and I know, he said it out of anger, "I don't know, I don't know, be quiet", dad holds his head. I hold back a tear. Ten minutes later dad is playing with rizla papers, "turn the dryer off", stupidly I put the washing on the line first thing this morning... "I can't dad, I'm drying your bed covers"... "Well, nobody asked you to do it". I bite my tongue...

 

Just a quick follow up to last nights shenanigans. As I was leaving for work this morning, a district nurse arrived and we chatted. They told me what happened, apparently the nurse arrived yesterday lunch time to give dad his insulin injection. Dad had messed himself and decided to take the poo out of his pad and leave it in his cereal bowl from the morning and it had also got on the floor. They were requested to take a urine sample and check for any infections this morning. They did a stick test and it was all fine, but the sample will be tested properly as well. I told her I doubt it will come back with any infections.

 

At my dad's last proper hospital visit, I had a meeting with several staff members, one put me on the spot and asked do you think your dad should move to a care home (wording may not be correct). My answer was, "I can't possibly answer on the spot, without consultation with dad and my siblings". Didn't like the question, despite being aware that he probably will need to at some point. Despite all the problems we are having, I want my dad to stay out of care for as long as he possible, sadly as each day passes, it gets harder to justify him staying at home.