Hi Nanook
Hope you managed to get a good nights sleep (I'm assuming you won't be reading this till tomorrow).
I'm not sure what type of dementia Neville has, but have they ruled out the possibility of a TIA? I'm only suggesting this as my mum went into emergency respite last Monday and when I spoke to the manager this evening it seems like her daily routine has completely changed. I was told she'd taken herself off to bed at about 8.30 pm and that she gets up about 3 am, dresses, goes to lounge and wonders where everyone is. They make her tea and take her back to bed. The manager was suprised when I told her to my knowledge mum usually goes to bed around 10.30, although sometimes when I'm at her place she'll get ready for bed around 10 pm. She does usually get up in the night to go to the loo, but I've never known her to get dressed. However, while she was with us over Christmas there was one incident when she'd gone to bed around 10 and I heard her get up about an hour later and she told me she thought she'd have a wash, dress and come down and clearly had no idea what time of day it was. She's also either putting her nightie on over her clothes or forgetting to take it off when she dresses and then can't find it in the evening.
Her OT thinks she might have had another TIA and this could account for the changes in behaviour. Before she went into respite she'd apparently become increasingly restless and agitated and even a bit paranoid. The only tablet she takes is Reminyl. The consultant didn't increase the dosage after the last visit, though I forgot to ask him why at the time. Somehow I don't think it would make much difference now.
She's being moved to another place on Wednesday for a further 2 weeks respite and then a decision will be made as to whether she can go home again. Personally I don't think she can, and to be honest I hope she doesn't as while she's in the CH I know where she is and that she's being cared for 24/7. She has wandered off in the past and with the current weather situation I'd be scared of her going off and no one realising she'd gone for hours. The manager told me she keeps losing her handbag (normal for her these days) and has actually gone outside in the snow looking for it.
I think they have a secure garden so I'm assuming that's where she went, but am a little concerned that she'd be able to get outside at all in this weather.
Hope Neville settles into a 'normal' pattern soon. It could just be adjusting to new surroundings.
Chris