Today I visited Eric in his new home. The SW picked me up and drove me over to see him.
I haven't seen Eric for 3 weeks and didn't know what to expect...but my imagination had filled in the bits for me and I was very stressed before we left...
Eric was asleep in his room when we arrived..his TV was on, the pictures that I'd taken in were on his wall...he looked so peaceful...
We left him to sleep and went to the office to do some filling in of forms etc with the manager. Her update was very positive.
They are getting to know Eric..and they like him. They are giving him space and time to adjust and he is not a problem. The manager told us that she expects all of her staff to put themselves in the residents shoes and try to realise their confusion and to react to them accordingly at all times.
He has made friends with 2 other male residents and is socialising. He is eating well and sleeping well. He is displaying "sundowning" from 5 o'clock in the afternoon but they're aware of that(and it was so good that this is understood)
and can deal with it.
When I went back to Eric I gave him a hug and a kiss to wake him up...he just looked at me and said.."Sorry poppet..I've been asleep again" He ate one of the chocs I'd taken in for him and enjoyed it. The Social Worker commented on the fact that he has his own bathroom and Eric said "Yes..it's just like being at home".
I left him to sleep in front of his TV...just like it would be here. Kissed him goodbye and said I'd see him later.
Can't tell you how relieved I am to have made that first visit and how reassured I am.
And I'm happy to say that Eric looked much better cared for than he looked the last time I saw him..he looked less troubled and as I've said before..more peaceful.
It's early days but this place seems to tick the right boxes...I can let go and let others do the caring.
It's not easy to let go..but I do think it's for the best..
I have my own struggle to come to terms with but knowing that Eric is cared for will help enormously.
Love xx
I haven't seen Eric for 3 weeks and didn't know what to expect...but my imagination had filled in the bits for me and I was very stressed before we left...
Eric was asleep in his room when we arrived..his TV was on, the pictures that I'd taken in were on his wall...he looked so peaceful...
We left him to sleep and went to the office to do some filling in of forms etc with the manager. Her update was very positive.
They are getting to know Eric..and they like him. They are giving him space and time to adjust and he is not a problem. The manager told us that she expects all of her staff to put themselves in the residents shoes and try to realise their confusion and to react to them accordingly at all times.
He has made friends with 2 other male residents and is socialising. He is eating well and sleeping well. He is displaying "sundowning" from 5 o'clock in the afternoon but they're aware of that(and it was so good that this is understood)
and can deal with it.
When I went back to Eric I gave him a hug and a kiss to wake him up...he just looked at me and said.."Sorry poppet..I've been asleep again" He ate one of the chocs I'd taken in for him and enjoyed it. The Social Worker commented on the fact that he has his own bathroom and Eric said "Yes..it's just like being at home".
I left him to sleep in front of his TV...just like it would be here. Kissed him goodbye and said I'd see him later.
Can't tell you how relieved I am to have made that first visit and how reassured I am.
And I'm happy to say that Eric looked much better cared for than he looked the last time I saw him..he looked less troubled and as I've said before..more peaceful.
It's early days but this place seems to tick the right boxes...I can let go and let others do the caring.
It's not easy to let go..but I do think it's for the best..
I have my own struggle to come to terms with but knowing that Eric is cared for will help enormously.
Love xx