My Mum (97) was formally diagnosed with dementia a year ago. The main (only) manifestation was very poor short-term memory, which steadily got worse and, in the last few months, a more rapid decline. She lives in sheltered flat and has a morning carer to help her shower and dress. She's had the carer for a few years as has osteo arthritis in shoulder and has difficulty dressing. In the last couple of weeks she has become much worse, weepy with shaking fits, not knowing where she is for a minute or two. Appetite has declined. If someone is with her, she's not too bad. Have increased care to include lunchtime visits. Looking forward, I can increase her at-home care, she COULD come to our house if we re-jigged the downstairs accommodation (it has en-suite wet room), but I would be happier to have waking care for night-time, plus her normal morning visit. I have been looking at care homes too, and have a couple short-listed, with current places. She is made of stern stuff, has survived a childhood that was one step up from stark poverty, the Blitz, the WAAF, multiple moves, 3 kids, full-time care for my Gran for 8 years, widowed at 56, lost her long-term partner at 89, lost my sister 4 years ago, one knee replacement and two hips (latest one just 3 years ago). I don't ever remember her being bedridden other than her ops!
I'm just not sure what route to take now, my gut instinct is not to move her at the moment?
I'm just not sure what route to take now, my gut instinct is not to move her at the moment?
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