I just found this website as was looking for some ideas and suggestions on how to best support my mom during this journey. My mom noticed some changes in her memory about 2 years ago and was at that time still able to manage day to day activities and tasks. Slowly she found it more difficult to manage financial decisions, ie., banking, paying bill, handling technology or anything related to technology, but still able to mange her home and daily routines.
To jump to the situation we presently find ourselves in, my mom is challenged by daily routines and it has been necessary, due to new mobility issues, to have PSW support every night and constant companionship through the day from family, as she continues to live on her own. My mom accepted all of this for about 4 months, but in the last weeks has become increasingly more frustrated and angry about her loss of independence and control of her life. She says she feels useless, feels like a burden and has become withdrawn and depressed. She will no longer allow anyone to bring in meals for her and will only eat what she is able to get for herself, cereal, peanut butter sandwiches and Meal replacement drinks. She thinks that we, her children, want her out of her condo/flat and that she should be in a ‘home’. The plan is to keep in her own space, with as many supports as necessary, as she can easily afford to stay. I am not sure how to talk to her, to reassure her and/or find ways to keep her engaged and feeling as though she is, even in a small way, contributin.
To jump to the situation we presently find ourselves in, my mom is challenged by daily routines and it has been necessary, due to new mobility issues, to have PSW support every night and constant companionship through the day from family, as she continues to live on her own. My mom accepted all of this for about 4 months, but in the last weeks has become increasingly more frustrated and angry about her loss of independence and control of her life. She says she feels useless, feels like a burden and has become withdrawn and depressed. She will no longer allow anyone to bring in meals for her and will only eat what she is able to get for herself, cereal, peanut butter sandwiches and Meal replacement drinks. She thinks that we, her children, want her out of her condo/flat and that she should be in a ‘home’. The plan is to keep in her own space, with as many supports as necessary, as she can easily afford to stay. I am not sure how to talk to her, to reassure her and/or find ways to keep her engaged and feeling as though she is, even in a small way, contributin.
