LATEST UPDATE.......just to let you know Mum was been moved yesterday into another ward but in a side room. When I visited yesterday, she was very upset and crying, as she was understandably confused by what is now the 5th move in 5 days. She kept saying she thougt I'd left her there and never thought she'd land up like that and wants to come home..... most she's said in months as she scarcely talks now. I eventually calmed her with some sweeties and Glenn Miller videos on my phone and when I went, she waved me off quite happily.
After a long chat with the OT who was happy to hear I don't need anything and that I have everything in place for Mum at home and a physio checking her mobility, holding my hand down the corridor, the are happy from their perspective to let her come home. The medical team have said there is no reason for her to be kept in as there's nothing wrong with her apart from her dementia. I'm happy to have her back home but just hope to keep her calm at night and hopefully can do this with the Lorazapan I was given last week and which they've been using in hospital. She will certainly be looked after better here with me than the care she's had (or not had) in hospital. From the way she's been too, during her stay, it's made me even more certain that I could never try respite for my own selfish reasons. She has declined so much and many people do say that's a risk you take with respite. At least with my enforced respite of Mums hospital stay I've had a few days to rest a little and get over my chest infection! I shall visit again today then they said I can bring her home tomorrow.
I cant remember if I said previously, but a psychiatrist saw Mum on Friday but all that has come out of that was that he felt she has had delerium from an infection (I presume the chest infection) and severe dementia, most likely vascular. Nothing I didnt know, so assessment wise, that is all that has happened. Should something else have happened?
As for any emotional/practical support for me, zilch. The Foundation Trust is not taking any more referrals and there is no dementia support in my area. I had hoped I had missed something and they would point me in the right direction but no. I shall just have to muddle through on my own as I've done the past 4 years I guess. You hear of people having designated CPNs, Dementia nurses, various dementia support groups etc but sadly nothing here. It's very disappointing but as I thought. Onwards and upwards as they say!!