Member updates
Settled in a care home
A carer said her mum is now more settled in her care home. She is less anxious and has made friends. The daughter has been advised she can start to take her mum, but she is reluctant in case she has a problem getting her back. They have been out in the garden and the home also has a dog. They deal with the residents in a really professional way. Mum has been there since the beginning of May.
Janet suggested a short outing maybe with a member of staff to support them. Tatiana said it’s common for care homes to advise residents stay in initially and agreed that a member of staff to come with them when they go out would be a good idea. The daughter has meetings about her mum’s previous care home and the Queen Elizabeth hospital regarding issues while her mum was there. Tatiana explained internal systems for recording information when you go into hospital. Janet said it was good that her GP saw her mum just before she went into hospital as they would have been aware of her mum’s condition at that time.
Mounting problems
The sister of a carer has had a biopsy and they found early stage cancer. They have to go up to Guy’s hospital on Thursday. The sister has help with her Doset box in the evenings. She forgot to take her tablets Monday and took two lots together – nothing happened fortunately. She wants her brother to change her phone as she can’t operate it. She doesn’t want one made by a male! The brother thinks she isn’t sleeping and they may have to arrange more care. Janet said a fitness tracker might help, as they can track sleep data via an app. The sister forgets that she’s eaten – some days it’s ok and some it’s not.
New
A new group member said her dad is 83 with dementia and mum 80 with mobility issues and diabetes. They live with her brother and they both care for them. They have carers in the morning, lunch time and evening. As well as their full-time jobs they care for the parents at the weekends. Dad’s needs are increasing. His short term memory is very bad. Finding support everyday is difficult. They were fortunate to arrange emergency respite care for her dad but need more in September. Another carers recommended booking early rather than later. Janet asked if she had contacted the Carers Centre. Donna, the dementia nurse, is supporting them. Tatiana – suggested trying to organise the September respite in the middle of July.
A good care home
A carer said she is now is in a good place. Her mum has been in a care home for 7 weeks and is really happy. She’s eating, drinking, joining the choir and watching the activities. Yesterday the daughter took her back to her home for tea and cakes and her mum was quite happy to go back to the home for her tea. The residents are going on a day trip to Brighton The daughter was really worried about mum going into the home and it was a hard decision to make, but her mum had to be safe. It’s all worked out well and she feels she’s in a really good place at the moment. The daughter has been away for a holiday too.
Seeking out a care home
A wife had made no progress finding her husband the right care home. They don’t qualify for any help. They have been to look at another care home and the husband spent the day there. He doesn’t understand why he can’t go back to his home and he doesn’t want to be in a care home.
Tatiana asked if she had spoken to Social Services? Even self funding entitles you to have assessment for the needs of the person with dementia. She recommended giving it another try. It’s their duty of care and legal responsibility to find the best type of placement. Professionals can assess the needs and help with decision making. Kirsty (Older Peoples’ Commissioning Manager for Royal Greenwich) says Social Services were not experiencing backlogs.
Fragility
A daughter said her dad is more unsteady on his feet and stumbles. He can be very active or asleep. Janet asked if he being monitored. The daughter said the frailty team are monitoring him. He has carers come to bath him He will refuse sometimes according to his mood. Due to symptoms described by the carer Janet said it is possible he may have Parkinson’s. She suggested the family investigate further. Parkinson’s UK list early signs of Parkinson’s.
Next meeting will be on 14th August.
Reflections 