Hi all! Hope everyone is well. Firstly, it is lovely to find this forum, we as a family have been struggling with the support side for so long, and although it's awful everyone is navigating this heartbreaking disease, it is somewhat comforting that others feel similar!
My Nan was diagnosed with Alzheimers a little over a year ago. She has absolutely no insight into it at all and just refers to it as her "short term memory". Due to other complex physical health needs, she has an almost round-the-clock care package in her own home, staffed by family members and close family friends, which we are SO grateful for!
Recently she has had to start wearing incontinence pads - we aren't sure if this is due to loss of bladder control, waiting too long to go to the toilet, or just (excuse my insensitivity) laziness. She is also refusing to shower most of the time, and when she does shower, she will only do this when certain carers are with her. She also refuses to leave the house most of the time, and will just sit in front of the TV and won't do any form of cognitive activities, despite us trying to explain the benefits of this to her. I really want to get her to some social groups as think it would really help, but she flat out refuses. It really does feel like she has given up.
Some of the family are questioning whether it is still best for her to live in her own home. Due to the emotional side of caring for family, some carers feel as though they won't be able to provide the enhanced personal care my Nan requires. She has been adamant she doesn't want to leave her home, and we don't want her to either, but I'm questioning if she would have a better quality of life elsewhere, albeit it won't be the almost round-the-clock care she currently gets.
It's so difficult even thinking about this as I'm riddled with guilt at even the thought. Whoever else has been in this position before will understand I'm sure. If you have, how do you know it is time to start thinking about alternative housing? Or how did you navigate the resisting personal care or social activities etc?
Any advice would help! Thanks in advance x
My Nan was diagnosed with Alzheimers a little over a year ago. She has absolutely no insight into it at all and just refers to it as her "short term memory". Due to other complex physical health needs, she has an almost round-the-clock care package in her own home, staffed by family members and close family friends, which we are SO grateful for!
Recently she has had to start wearing incontinence pads - we aren't sure if this is due to loss of bladder control, waiting too long to go to the toilet, or just (excuse my insensitivity) laziness. She is also refusing to shower most of the time, and when she does shower, she will only do this when certain carers are with her. She also refuses to leave the house most of the time, and will just sit in front of the TV and won't do any form of cognitive activities, despite us trying to explain the benefits of this to her. I really want to get her to some social groups as think it would really help, but she flat out refuses. It really does feel like she has given up.
Some of the family are questioning whether it is still best for her to live in her own home. Due to the emotional side of caring for family, some carers feel as though they won't be able to provide the enhanced personal care my Nan requires. She has been adamant she doesn't want to leave her home, and we don't want her to either, but I'm questioning if she would have a better quality of life elsewhere, albeit it won't be the almost round-the-clock care she currently gets.
It's so difficult even thinking about this as I'm riddled with guilt at even the thought. Whoever else has been in this position before will understand I'm sure. If you have, how do you know it is time to start thinking about alternative housing? Or how did you navigate the resisting personal care or social activities etc?
Any advice would help! Thanks in advance x
