my mother

[Bevpet]

Today I went to pick my Mother up to take her to a hospital appointment. When I got to her home a neighbour and the nurse were there. Apparently the smell of gas was so bad that the neighbour came to check. He said to me that the gas stove had been turned on. The daily nurse was also there, she had to open the doors and windows to get the gas out. While the neighbour was telling me what happened, my mother became very agitated and rude and told the neighbour to leave. But he stayed telling me what had happened so my mother walked off down the street.

The nurse was concerned and phone the coordinator. My mother told me that she had not turned on the gas, and that the gas was just leaking.

When we returned from our hospital visit, I left Mum at home while I went to get some money for her from the ATM. When I came back mother had opened up the oven and was lighting matches to try to find where the leak was.
I knew there was no leak so I was able to leave her and go home.
Trouble is I feel like I am losing my mind, and I don't know why. When Mum was in hospital last week the Doctors tested her for altzeimers, and said she was fine. So how come she is crazy when she gets home? The councellors at the hospital said I had carers stress. I can't control the awful thought in my mind.
I know no one can help me, I just needed to be able to share with others who would know what I was talking about. Thank you for listening, Bev

 

[Pacucho]

Hi Bev

Sorry to read about the problems you are having.

One idea you may want to consider is keeping a diary of events, and when you consider the time is right make an appointment to see your mum's GP and show him/her the diary.
Hope this helps,

Paco

 

[Bevpet]

Hi Bev

Sorry to read about the problems you are having.

One idea you may want to consider is keeping a diary of events, and when you consider the time is right make an appointment to see your mum's GP and show him/her the diary.
Hope this helps,

Paco

Thank you, I did not think about this. Gives me some guidance. I never thought about taking my mother to her gp. I will start a diary tonight. thank you, Bevpet

 

[meme]

lighting matches to find where the gas leak is?????? eeek.. keep a diary .... constant awfull thoughts or thinking awfull things are going to happen will eventually ease....would you consider seeing a counsellor. who could help you to make sense of your feelings and thoughts at this stressfull time??

 

[Bevpet]

'

keep a diary .... constant awfull thoughts or thinking awfull things are going to happen will eventually ease....would you consider seeing a counsellor.
who could help you to make sense of your feelings and thoughts at this stressfull time??[/QUOTE]

Thank you for advice sounds good to get my thoughts and feeling sorted. It has been so helpful to read through others experiences. Bev.

 

[Amber]

Keeping a diary is a really good idea. My mum has had vascular dementia for about 9 years now but at the beginning when I started noticing all the strange little behaviours like leaving her shopping at the shops, not being able to differentiate between a five and ten pound note, I asked for a memory assessment but she passed with flying colours! the specialist said she was fine but I knew she wasn't and it was another two years and only when she had a stroke that vascular dementia was diagnosed. My mum managed to live at home, alone, for 8 years until last year when a carer arrived to find all of her gas burners on but unlit, as with your mum her house was full of gas and the paramedics were called, she also left her front door wide open over night. I had to keep pleading with SS for an assessment as her care package was clearly not sufficient but it was only when the gas incident occurred and I asked the Dementia Crisis Team for help that she was finally given a residential placement. I would definitely go to your mum's GP with the diary and don't be fobbed off! Getting her the right support from the start is imperative.

 

[MeganCat]

My mum used to place things on top of her electric hob all the time eg handbag tea towel so I ended up disconnecting it so she couldn't confuse the knobs and start a fire