Dear Sylvia and Gigi
The question you have raised about whether Alan sees a consultant is interesting because the lady from the AZ Society has asked me whether I would be willing to talk at a meeting next week about my experiences with the health professionals.
In a nutshell to your question Sylvia, no he doesn't have a consultant because he was discharged from his books even though I told him that the Psychogeriatrician had promised that someone from her team would keep in contact with Alan and that we have never heard a thing from them. Alan does not exist again!!!!
The consultant promised me that he would contact the Psychogeriatrician and sort out this appalling situation - but guess, that was back in September I think and we still haven't heard a thing from anyone.
If I thought any of them would be of the slightest use I would take control of the situation myself and force them to acknowledge Alan but my experiences so far have been such that they are of no use to us. Unlike your experience, the Psychogeriatrician showed no sign of really listening or taking a real interest in Alan. When I asked her questions she could not even attempt to answer them and stood just looking dumbfounded. If it weren't for the woman from the AZ Society I would have believed that the problem was me.
I am left with this statement resounding in my being "There is nothing that can be done" and that is exactly our experience, they do nothing - he doesn't exist!!! Every department of the hospital that Alan has had to use that is not dementia related have been marvellous in their service and in their dealings with Alan and myself. Those you expect to be professional in their field of dementia have been dreadful and with far less insight than anywhere else.
Dear Gigi,
I think we are both sluggish but Alan is more than sluggish I think. The paranoia started again on Thursday. He was with the sitter and I was working. Everything was fine until about half an hour before the sitter had to go and I went into them and Alan had a very grumpy and angry face and I asked the sitter whether anything had happened (they'd been out in the car for a drive earlier). The sitter said nothing had happened but that he felt it was because Alan could hear my client's voice. It is not possible to understand what Alan is saying but from the gist of it, it seems like he feels he needs to protect me from people. This then carried on but not about clients, about anyone - whether voices on the radio, tv or people passing in the street.
I can cope with the paranoia most of the time (although I really don't like it) but I cannot cope when I have to work because I become anxious (a bit like Sylvia was describing about how she was feeling).
Alan has just asked if he can go in the bath which is very unusual
Love
