Friend couldn't come at the last minute, so our younger son came instead. All went well.He greeted me amiably but without drama, volunteered a few appropriate remarks as we chatted, laughed at jokes, and was easily diverted by lunch, so barely noticed we were leaving.
Next day ex-DIL visited him (wish she was still with our older son, but that's another story, they're both happy enough). She said he'd been agitated and " on a mission" so she stayed and after a couple of hours he went quiet. He had no socks on and was unshaven.
Today I went back, and eX-DIL also dropped in briefly, but soon left us on our own. The carers said again he'd been "on a mission, looking for me and calling my name, urgently, the previous evening. But he was unflustered when I went in, and greeted me amiably, looking at me a little puzzled, but too polite, I think, to ask who I was. I read the headlines to him, and he made appropriate noises when I mentioned the current news stories. He had a bruise on his elbow, no towel to dry his hands with, and mismatching slippers. Weekend staff, some from an agency, were kind but busy, and I ended up helping a lady with a knickers problem, as no one came when she called urgently. Lunch looked very good, and I left him chatting to the lady I'd helped. He asked why I couldn't stay, when I said I had a doctor's appointment he asked why I couldn't change it, but accepted that I'd better go.
I might go back later with a towel, to see how things are around teatime, and how close the residents are to their bedtime.. That's his anxious time of day, so should be interesting. I know he was allowed to sit up with the staff when he was wakeful....
So, it has gone quite well I suppose, so far. He's had his usual anxieties around evening, but the Care staff seem to have managed well, so I'm getting the break I need.
Sorting out the finances if we think he should stay will be a nightmare, but at least the respite will give me some time to think straight.