It was nearly a year ago when I first wrote on TP, about my Dad's visit to hospital for an assessment after he became aggressive. It seems that he has now hit another spell of aggression, although not enough for him to be hospitalised (but that thought is always at the back of our minds). Dad will be getting different medication which will hopefully help.
Mum has been told, in a loving but forceful manner, by the Head Nurse at Dad's Home, not to go in and visit everyday from now on. She told Mum that she should go and make another life for herself, find a new interest etc. It may seem harsh, and who knows if it's even possible for Mum after all these years with Dad, but I believe it was necessary because she is wearing herself out with the strain. Mum is now going in every other day and we'll see how it goes. I've been doing less visiting lately too because I just can't bear to see both of my parents so low, although it has made me feel very selfish.
Dad is also becoming very incontinent and he actually accepted a pad being put on him today. No more trips out this summer (unless the pads work well). I don't know what I'm asking for here - I just wanted to write it down because it helps me to come to terms with the progression and to face it right between the eyes.
I don't want my Dad ending up in bed, motionless and wasting away, but then I didn't want the other things to happen and they have, and what do I feel? After a couple of months of feeling really low, I have to be honest and say that I now feel sort of resigned to this stage of my Dad's illness and whatever it may bring. Well, that's the theory anyway.
Mum has been told, in a loving but forceful manner, by the Head Nurse at Dad's Home, not to go in and visit everyday from now on. She told Mum that she should go and make another life for herself, find a new interest etc. It may seem harsh, and who knows if it's even possible for Mum after all these years with Dad, but I believe it was necessary because she is wearing herself out with the strain. Mum is now going in every other day and we'll see how it goes. I've been doing less visiting lately too because I just can't bear to see both of my parents so low, although it has made me feel very selfish.
Dad is also becoming very incontinent and he actually accepted a pad being put on him today. No more trips out this summer (unless the pads work well). I don't know what I'm asking for here - I just wanted to write it down because it helps me to come to terms with the progression and to face it right between the eyes.
I don't want my Dad ending up in bed, motionless and wasting away, but then I didn't want the other things to happen and they have, and what do I feel? After a couple of months of feeling really low, I have to be honest and say that I now feel sort of resigned to this stage of my Dad's illness and whatever it may bring. Well, that's the theory anyway.