Morning everyone,
Usual busy busy busy here - today I have the company of my line manager and a VERY senior manager, who are spending the day with me at two of my projects - in both cases, we are at a National Trust property, doing some voluntary work. Hopefully, it will be a good day . . . however, all my young people have some form of autism, so there is a slight concern about one or two who can be rather - er - blunt, at times! For example, with one of these groups, we were chatting a week or so back about what we were spending on the garden, and I commented that people had been very kind about giving us discounts, adding that even the skip hire chap had given us the skip we needed at a very low price. One of the young ladies in the group asked me very seriously did I flirt with the chap, to get him to 'knock some money off'. Before I could answer, a young man in the group chipped in with '
If she had flirted with him he would have put the price up!'
I've also had a long chat with Nurse L about Mil's case review with CHC, on Wednesday. She told me that over the last 3 - 4 weeks Mil has, after both her lunch and dinner, made it very clear that she wants 'some peace' and has actually told the 1-1 to 'go away'. So, they have been taking her to her room, and the 1-1 has remained outside the door . Mil has apparently just sat back in her chair, listening to music or with one of her musical DVD's on, very calm, and as Nurse L put it, more relaxed than they have ever seen her. Nurse L feels this 'alone' time is doing Mil good, and has suggested that we tell HBM that it would be an idea to try withdrawing the 1-1 for an hour, after both lunch and tea, to give Mil this time to relax. Although the TD symptoms are still apparent, the severity is very much reduced (still twiches and jerks, most of the time, but not violently enough for her to end up on the floor), so from a safety point of view, Nurse L is certain that there will be no issues there either.
My first thought was - 'My God - is Mil actually getting some peace now, is the agitation finally lessening?' How amazing would that be for her, if that is finally happening. So I was tempted just to say yes, without qualification. But! My second thought was, given Mils history, was this likely to last? So, after a long discussion, its been decided that we propose those 2 x 1 hour 'alone times' for Mil, on a trial basis of 4 weeks, with obs to be carried out every 15 minutes, and on the understanding that IF there are any problems that the 1-1 is reinstated immediately.
I suspect the HBM will be shocked - I have always said that as soon as I am told that 1-1 could be reduced or removed, I would be delighted, because it would mean that the agitation and misery was easing for her - but I don't think the HBM has ever believed me. Several staff have said that she takes my fighting on Mils behalf very personally, and assumes that my arguing is more to do with 'getting one over' on the HBM, rather than guenuinely coming from a perspective of just wanting whats best for Mil. Having said that, there is of course, the liklihood of HBM walking in with the intention of removing all or most of Mils 1-1, anyway. But, Nurse L was very clear that for the rest of the time, its still very necessary - Mil still has periods every day of being verbally or physically threatening, and at those times (which are still pretty unpredictable) the 1-1 is essential for the safety of Mil and the other residents.
I can't help but hope now, though, that Mil just might be entering a peaceful phase of dementia - its been such a long time coming for her, it would just be such a relief for her (and us) if the poor woman is losing the paranoia and if the awful delusions/hallucinations stop. I know I shouldn't build my hopes up, I know Mil has a long history of her symptoms changing and worsening, but I have my fingers so tightly crossed, they are starting to hurt. Its well past time she had an easier ride!
Sending love to all the bizzarites, as always - I'll let you all know how the CHC review goes xxx