Hi
My mum's 78 was diagnosed with Alzeihmers almost 4 yrs ago. With hindsight it started a few years before this.
She was a very very difficult woman to deal with, if anything the illness has made her more easy-going. She still gets moody and throws tantrums but because of the illness she quickly forgets unlike when she was well.
She makes no sense when you talk to her. Added to the fact she is italian and she will start mixing the languages. (I do speak ital). Washing is not good but she changes clothes at least. I manage to do feet, face hands etc.
She lives alone and is v.independant. Although I have to spend much more time there than before cleaning, cooking etc. She sort of copes with alot of my help because she has lived in the same house for 40yrs and the layout hasn't changed.
The main cause of worry is her wandering. She had a Urinary infection and is better now. But I thought/hoped the wandering was just a phase.
She lives in Central London and always tries to go to same area. So I go with her everyday no matter what I do I cannot persuade her to go somewhere else with her. She just gets v.angry and goes off by herself. Its just such a hassle/stressfull crossing central london on the buses with her.
Also she tries to shoplift, she knows what she is doing.
I typically get there 12-2pm and we will set off and get back about 6pm. As soon as we are back she will want to go again, because she claims we haven't been. Sometimes I think its an excuse to get rid of me (she used to do this to guests over staying their welcome many years ago), so I say my goodbyes and will leave but wait in the street. 20 mins later she will leave to jump on the bus and of course I accompany her.
Today, she did the same thing after we returned. I thought it was ok and only waited 5 mins outside; seeing as she had taken her shoes off and didn't have her bag with her. My mistake; she was changing these items :-(. I left and came back 45 mins later and she had gone - she was found wandering in Leceister Sq. Its happened 6 times in 2/3 months.
I've taken her bus-pass, but she's crafty and jumps on at the back of the bus and so doesn't pay.
If she's not back by dusk I know she is lost, I have an ID Bracelet that works well. A tracker would be a great but all the ones I've seen are not worn and as she changes coat/bags frequently it will be just left at home.
The issue is with Longer day light hours its getting more and more of strain on me.
She is so so lucky and always gets found by really kind people who will wait with her until I turn up. But she has had her bag snatched but she doesn't remember any of this.
I've spoken to SS they offered home-help/carers but no one to go out with her.
I know a great home my relative was there, but they don't accept people with serious wandering. Although their front door has keycode lock mechanism. I guess she could get out via the garden.
I will give the home a go and see if they accept her as she is an accident waiting to happen.
Any ideas would appreciated.
My mum's 78 was diagnosed with Alzeihmers almost 4 yrs ago. With hindsight it started a few years before this.
She was a very very difficult woman to deal with, if anything the illness has made her more easy-going. She still gets moody and throws tantrums but because of the illness she quickly forgets unlike when she was well.
She makes no sense when you talk to her. Added to the fact she is italian and she will start mixing the languages. (I do speak ital). Washing is not good but she changes clothes at least. I manage to do feet, face hands etc.
She lives alone and is v.independant. Although I have to spend much more time there than before cleaning, cooking etc. She sort of copes with alot of my help because she has lived in the same house for 40yrs and the layout hasn't changed.
The main cause of worry is her wandering. She had a Urinary infection and is better now. But I thought/hoped the wandering was just a phase.
She lives in Central London and always tries to go to same area. So I go with her everyday no matter what I do I cannot persuade her to go somewhere else with her. She just gets v.angry and goes off by herself. Its just such a hassle/stressfull crossing central london on the buses with her.
Also she tries to shoplift, she knows what she is doing.
I typically get there 12-2pm and we will set off and get back about 6pm. As soon as we are back she will want to go again, because she claims we haven't been. Sometimes I think its an excuse to get rid of me (she used to do this to guests over staying their welcome many years ago), so I say my goodbyes and will leave but wait in the street. 20 mins later she will leave to jump on the bus and of course I accompany her.
Today, she did the same thing after we returned. I thought it was ok and only waited 5 mins outside; seeing as she had taken her shoes off and didn't have her bag with her. My mistake; she was changing these items :-(. I left and came back 45 mins later and she had gone - she was found wandering in Leceister Sq. Its happened 6 times in 2/3 months.
I've taken her bus-pass, but she's crafty and jumps on at the back of the bus and so doesn't pay.
If she's not back by dusk I know she is lost, I have an ID Bracelet that works well. A tracker would be a great but all the ones I've seen are not worn and as she changes coat/bags frequently it will be just left at home.
The issue is with Longer day light hours its getting more and more of strain on me.
She is so so lucky and always gets found by really kind people who will wait with her until I turn up. But she has had her bag snatched but she doesn't remember any of this.
I've spoken to SS they offered home-help/carers but no one to go out with her.
I know a great home my relative was there, but they don't accept people with serious wandering. Although their front door has keycode lock mechanism. I guess she could get out via the garden.
I will give the home a go and see if they accept her as she is an accident waiting to happen.
Any ideas would appreciated.
