My grandmother has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Although the doctors have just confirmed it, I have been noticing a change in her behaviour for quite a while now. Her short term memory loss is very poor, she forgets about her personal hygiene and it is not uncommon for her to accuse family members of stealing her belongings etc. She shares a house with my dad, who has lived there since my parents divorced 17 years ago. This may sound harsh, but to say he is useless is an understatement. He does nothing around the house and seems completely unwilling to listen to anything I say about the symptoms of Alzheimers, although my knowledge on the subject is quite limited.
At present, a carer goes to my grandmother's house 3 days a week to assist her in the shower. Her doctor told me he would try to arrange it so that the carer could go more days, if not everyday, but nothing has come of it yet. Something else that was arranged was that twice a week, a bus would pick my grandmother up and take her to a luncheon with other oap's. This is something she thoroughly enjoys and when I speak to her she always tells me about it. However, yesterday I was informed by my dad, that there had been complaints about my grandmother's hygiene and so they would not be picking her up anymore. I find this truly appalling. I have tried to contact them today with no success, but if I have no luck tomorrow, then I will drive over to the place and attempt to get the full story.
Since my dad and my uncle and auntie continue to, in certain ways, ignore the situation, I feel I need some advice as to what I can do to help. I was thinking of maybe contacting her doctors myself to arrange an appointment to speak to them, although I am not sure if this would be possible due to patient confidentiality.
Has anyone got any advice?
Thank you very much in advance.
Laura
At present, a carer goes to my grandmother's house 3 days a week to assist her in the shower. Her doctor told me he would try to arrange it so that the carer could go more days, if not everyday, but nothing has come of it yet. Something else that was arranged was that twice a week, a bus would pick my grandmother up and take her to a luncheon with other oap's. This is something she thoroughly enjoys and when I speak to her she always tells me about it. However, yesterday I was informed by my dad, that there had been complaints about my grandmother's hygiene and so they would not be picking her up anymore. I find this truly appalling. I have tried to contact them today with no success, but if I have no luck tomorrow, then I will drive over to the place and attempt to get the full story.
Since my dad and my uncle and auntie continue to, in certain ways, ignore the situation, I feel I need some advice as to what I can do to help. I was thinking of maybe contacting her doctors myself to arrange an appointment to speak to them, although I am not sure if this would be possible due to patient confidentiality.
Has anyone got any advice?
Thank you very much in advance.
Laura