Respite Questions

[Iainwh]

Hi guys,

My mum got diagnosed with Alzheimers in 03 when she was 54. I was 24 when I became her full time registered carer at the beginning of 04, my Dad retired in the middle of 06 to help look after her. That left me with a lot more time to try and sort my self out. over the past couple of years my mum hasn't been in a good way at all. The specialist comes round once every 6 months and I'll call her a district nurse cause I don't know what her correct title is and she comes round about once every 3 months. but apart from that Me and my Dad are on our own. That's how it feels.

over the past couple of years my mum has been offered to go to a day centre once or a couple of times a week and she has always refused. but over the past few days she has become really angry at us when we put her to bed and tonight she was kicking off at me in her now broken and confused speech. I'll be honest I've had enough.

Who do I speak to to get my mum a place in respite? Me and my Dad need a break.

 

[sad nell]

hi there you need to contact social services, and good idea to contact Alzhiemers society they will send someone out to see you and they offer lots of support and information, so perhaps that could be your first port of call best wishes to your family, accept any help offered you need a life too . Pam

 

[Vonny]

Hi there, you're having a rough time of it with seemingly little help. Pam's correct that Social Services should come out and that they can arrange respite, plus the visits from the nurse seem a bit thin on the ground at 3 months apart. With AD 3 months can see a lot of changes (or none!). You mentioned "putting her to bed". Is she physically incapacitated? I'd ask for more frequent visits from the nurse. If nothing else, the more people who get involved regularly with your mum may make her more accepting of her illness and make her see the benefits of going to a day centre. Then again, with AD, maybe not. At least the more people you have supporting you, the better it will be for you and your dad. Grab any help offered.
Best wishes, and hope you get some respite soon
Vonny

 

[Iainwh]

you need a life too .

Life what's that?

You mentioned "putting her to bed". Is she physically incapacitated?

well, we've been washing and dressing her for about 3 years and in the last year or so we've had to feed her because she can't do it any more. we have to physically pick her up and hold her hands as a guide to take her to the toilet and we have to physically grab hold of her and turn her round to get her into bed.

Grab any help offered.

Well that's been about nil.