My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in June last year, probably at the moderate stage (it took years for us to get a diagnosis). Now her vocabulary is very limited but she can do a few things around the house eg iron (!), wash up, dust and so on, if given instruction and watched. My dad is her carer at the age of 77 and with very limited mobility.
Until the last couple of weeks she has been extremely docile but out of nowhere she has become very emotional, disinterested and also very snappy. I live 2 hours away and have very young children so things are tricky in trying to manage Mum’s needs and Dad being worn out.
I called a dr out and they requested a urine sample in case of an infection. Of course this has been impossible for dad to do and this week she disappeared outside for 2 hours. A member of the public found her and took her to a dr’s where she was found to have a chest infection. She’s now completed 4 days of antibiotics so I thought the unusual behaviour might have started to ease - however a neighbour has found her wandering outside several times this week (she disappears when my dad’s back is turned and he can’t move quick enough).
From reading others’ stories I am anticipating that the wandering is here to stay. I have been trying to find very sheltered accommodation for both of them but I am now wondering whether it might be better for Mum to go into a care home. Dad is extremely resistant to this as he says it is duty to look after her; my argument is she isn’t safe if she can get out and wander about.
I know it would affect Dad terribly if they moved to very sheltered accommodation and then Mum is asked to leave which it sounds as if could be likely.
I have asked social services for a care needs assessment but that was two months ago. She would be self-funding any care, which I guess is why we’ve not heard from anyone.
if anyone can shed any light from their experience whether care home/sheltered accommodation might be better at this stage it would be good to hear. Thank you.
Sorry for lengthy post!
Until the last couple of weeks she has been extremely docile but out of nowhere she has become very emotional, disinterested and also very snappy. I live 2 hours away and have very young children so things are tricky in trying to manage Mum’s needs and Dad being worn out.
I called a dr out and they requested a urine sample in case of an infection. Of course this has been impossible for dad to do and this week she disappeared outside for 2 hours. A member of the public found her and took her to a dr’s where she was found to have a chest infection. She’s now completed 4 days of antibiotics so I thought the unusual behaviour might have started to ease - however a neighbour has found her wandering outside several times this week (she disappears when my dad’s back is turned and he can’t move quick enough).
From reading others’ stories I am anticipating that the wandering is here to stay. I have been trying to find very sheltered accommodation for both of them but I am now wondering whether it might be better for Mum to go into a care home. Dad is extremely resistant to this as he says it is duty to look after her; my argument is she isn’t safe if she can get out and wander about.
I know it would affect Dad terribly if they moved to very sheltered accommodation and then Mum is asked to leave which it sounds as if could be likely.
I have asked social services for a care needs assessment but that was two months ago. She would be self-funding any care, which I guess is why we’ve not heard from anyone.
if anyone can shed any light from their experience whether care home/sheltered accommodation might be better at this stage it would be good to hear. Thank you.
Sorry for lengthy post!