I’m new to this forum but have been visiting it on and off and found it really helpful. It’s such a relief that I’m ‘not alone’.
Mum (85 now) was diagnosed with a mixture of Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia in November last year. She is living alone and she is nowhere near needing a care home yet. I had seen a decline since we lost Dad in 2010 but it took a while for the NHS to see this. She has been on medication for diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol for a while and she is now on Donepezil too. She wasn’t taking her medication properly so the Doctor readjusted her meds to once a day – in a simple blister pack. She insists that she is good at taking pills and can’t understand why I’m still collecting a good handful each week from various ‘hiding’ places.
She has reluctantly agreed to have a carer in once every week day when I work to prompt medication but is horrified that she has to pay for this and doesn’t see the point as “I always take my pills”. 4 days after the visits started I had a call to say that Mum has been opening the blister packs telling the carer that she has already taken some, they have noticed these pills (mostly Metformin as they are huge) hidden behind the kettle, under paperwork or on the coffee table. Today I installed a lockable medicine cabinet, the carer can access the key in the key safe at the door and I have one. As of this evening, Mum is aware that her meds are in this box but doesn’t realise that she can’t access them ........... I’m dreading tomorrow.
I’ve also taken the first invoice from her and not sure about this but ................. I have online access to her bank account and hope to pay by transfer. Mum still gets her bank statements but I’m hoping she doesn’t notice the amount or she will cancel for sure. Is that ethical? I have lasting power of attorney and it’s in her best interest but I hate going behind her back?
Lastly, I’m so relieved to put this in writing – there is a lot more but I’m coping with most things. You are all full of experience and good advice so you may see me on here again.
Mum (85 now) was diagnosed with a mixture of Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia in November last year. She is living alone and she is nowhere near needing a care home yet. I had seen a decline since we lost Dad in 2010 but it took a while for the NHS to see this. She has been on medication for diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol for a while and she is now on Donepezil too. She wasn’t taking her medication properly so the Doctor readjusted her meds to once a day – in a simple blister pack. She insists that she is good at taking pills and can’t understand why I’m still collecting a good handful each week from various ‘hiding’ places.
She has reluctantly agreed to have a carer in once every week day when I work to prompt medication but is horrified that she has to pay for this and doesn’t see the point as “I always take my pills”. 4 days after the visits started I had a call to say that Mum has been opening the blister packs telling the carer that she has already taken some, they have noticed these pills (mostly Metformin as they are huge) hidden behind the kettle, under paperwork or on the coffee table. Today I installed a lockable medicine cabinet, the carer can access the key in the key safe at the door and I have one. As of this evening, Mum is aware that her meds are in this box but doesn’t realise that she can’t access them ........... I’m dreading tomorrow.
I’ve also taken the first invoice from her and not sure about this but ................. I have online access to her bank account and hope to pay by transfer. Mum still gets her bank statements but I’m hoping she doesn’t notice the amount or she will cancel for sure. Is that ethical? I have lasting power of attorney and it’s in her best interest but I hate going behind her back?
Lastly, I’m so relieved to put this in writing – there is a lot more but I’m coping with most things. You are all full of experience and good advice so you may see me on here again.