I am trying to be optimistic here really I am. Mum came home from her six month stint in hospital last Wednesday which we have been working towards since the meeting with all involved in getting her home early in January, so determined were we, mum and mums Social Services worker to get her there.
It is early days and I know her care team have had to pull out all the stops to fit in the rota's to accommodate 5 daily visits daily to mum, that is the maximum they can do, at such short notice. It may be that things will settle in to some kind of routine that works for everyone. At the moment it needs monitoring. Having a discussion with one of the carers last week she specifically asked for mums tablets not to be in blister packs, it would be easier if they weren't. We all seem to have roles in mums care and tablets is my sisters, I informed her to do as the carers had asked which my sister took on board. Mum is only able to have food whilst supervised as she can choke, having not had a cigarette in all that time she wanted one when arriving home, this also has to be done under supervision, all carers have been informed of this.
Today mum rang me the remote for the tv had been left on the top of the telly, could I go up, I said surely the carers would be in soon to which mum said could I still go up as she could then have a ciggie, feeling very torn, it must be so shit to have your world narrowed to such an extent and reliant on everyone else, the loss of independence must feel immense, I told her I would call back in 15 minutes and if the carers hadn't been I would go up. On calling back my brother was there. At nearly ten tonight another call, the carers hadn't given her her night tablets, as they are not in blister packs I haven't a clue what she takes and neither has mum. I called the emergency number and they were going to sort it.
I do wonder if this is only teething problems or if the transition from being in hospital to home maybe a bridge too far.
Sha X
It is early days and I know her care team have had to pull out all the stops to fit in the rota's to accommodate 5 daily visits daily to mum, that is the maximum they can do, at such short notice. It may be that things will settle in to some kind of routine that works for everyone. At the moment it needs monitoring. Having a discussion with one of the carers last week she specifically asked for mums tablets not to be in blister packs, it would be easier if they weren't. We all seem to have roles in mums care and tablets is my sisters, I informed her to do as the carers had asked which my sister took on board. Mum is only able to have food whilst supervised as she can choke, having not had a cigarette in all that time she wanted one when arriving home, this also has to be done under supervision, all carers have been informed of this.
Today mum rang me the remote for the tv had been left on the top of the telly, could I go up, I said surely the carers would be in soon to which mum said could I still go up as she could then have a ciggie, feeling very torn, it must be so shit to have your world narrowed to such an extent and reliant on everyone else, the loss of independence must feel immense, I told her I would call back in 15 minutes and if the carers hadn't been I would go up. On calling back my brother was there. At nearly ten tonight another call, the carers hadn't given her her night tablets, as they are not in blister packs I haven't a clue what she takes and neither has mum. I called the emergency number and they were going to sort it.
I do wonder if this is only teething problems or if the transition from being in hospital to home maybe a bridge too far.
Sha X
1 comment:
Dear Sha,
Reading your post today reminded me of how we had to adjust to caring for Mom. Yes, we had nursing care in the day, but things did go wrong. We learnt to stay one step ahead of the nurses and carers. Be prepared. It makes things easier, and quicker to get into the routine.
And simple things helped, like making a list of daily pills, a chart maybe, then asking your Mum to tick off the pills she's had. Get a pill box, or sort everything into little bags. It helped my Mom to keep control if she knew what pills she had had. She kept a notebook too, and wrote down what each nurse/carer had said or done. It wasn't a sign of her illness, merely that she wasn't ready to give up all hope of independence.
I also bought new bed linen and accessories, so that Mom was surrounded by pretty things. Its not quite so stark, if you have pretty things around you, even if the nurses are doing stuff you'd rather not! And top tip : wet loo wipes, if you know what I mean. Keep them handy. Plus fresh towels and face cloths.
With Spring just around the corner, things will get easier too. Longer days, warmer weather, everyone feels more positive.
Wow, its a lot to get used to. Hope I haven't given too much info, please ask if there's anything else you want to know.
My very best wishes to you all,
Lesley x.
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