Real stories

Difficulty with deciding to move Mum with dementia into a care home

My mother is 91 and has stage 4 Alzheimers. She has lived alone since the death of my dad 29 years ago. At the moment, she has a cleaner, hairdresser and chiropodist whose services she accepts. Mother has had Home Help 18 months ago but her stubborn insistence that she could cope meant that they were superfluous to her needs. Mother's ability to look after herself is declining rapidly. We have found mouldy food left in her microwave and her appetite is frugal. She refuses to use a walking stick, wear her glasses and both hearing aids when at home. Mother is in a comfort zone in her bungalow and has no desire to socialise except with family. Putting her in a Home is our last option because she would not function as expected. She receives daily help from my sister who lives nearby but her needs are increasing and mother is in denial get again. Basically, we are, as a family, waiting for some domestic crisis to occur before we consider this move.

Hello everybody! My name is Paula. As a profesional carer I came across many different cases of dementia. None of them worse than others. Personally I think we all lack attention and love, nowadays People are too busy to take time off for a cuppa or simply go for a walk in the Park. A friend of mine, has been looking after an alzheimer victim for over 9 years now. Who was about to get into a nursing home at that time. She's still happy and smiling .Her dementia seems to be stable, even though she does forget things sometimes. Most People are deeply depressed, but that condition nobody pays attention to it. My advice is please get help and allow time for that walk or cuppa with a friend and always try to put a smile on the face of other People, might need it more than you. Must say that I am very proud of myself for having chosen the job of carer. One of the most rewarding ones. Hugs to you all!

Neil...u r amazing to have taken such wonderful care of ur dear mum..
Please try to focus on how much u have done for her, with love and consideration for her well being...don't dwell on what u can't do, feel proud at what u have done.
Sending karma and kindness to u, Neil..u so deserve it..

So many heart breaking stories. Maybe to bring a smile to the loved one’s face , try singing with them, some of the songs they would have known and loved from their special hay days? Worth a try? Thinking of you all with love , Charlotte

Hi Neil, well done for what your doing for your mun. My mum is now 92 with Alzhiemers and Vascular Dementia, I am her main Carer and myself my husband and young daughter have been Caring for her at home since 2013 as well as we all live together. It is very hard and certainly the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I have 2 Carers who help me an hour in the morning and again at night independently but we have not had a holiday since 2014. We can't go down the Home route as we are self funding and I've been back home for 16 years now and it's mum's home. A Thousand pounds a week we don't have and she's now entered the final stage. I have been down every road possible for any help but unless we pay we get nothing at all. Ask me any question related to Alzhiemers and I can answer mostly All as we've been through everyone available . As our Doctor says we are inbetween a rock and a hard place. We can't even get CHC as she doesn't have any underlying health issues. This disease needs a lot more publicity and help through the Government. If you have Cancer you get every help available but Dementia, forget it. My dad died at home with Cancer so we know. This is a long journey to which, we know not when it will end.

Beautiful.
Thank you. ✌🏼️

My wife has Vascular Dementia and I was determined to look after her at home for as long as I could, using a tracking device and carers. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to cooperate and refused help with her personal hygiene and there was a lot of work washing clothes and bed clothes. There were also violent episodes resulting in minor injuries to myself and falls needing paramedics to check my wife out. Before the use of the tracking device they were three occasions when I called 999 to find her. I cannot praise the police highly enough for their prompt response, compassion and empathy in locating and bringing her home. I eventually realised I was failing her because she wasn’t getting the care she needed and
deserved. Our local Alzheimers Navigator was always there when we needed calm thoughtful advice and I couldn’t have coped without her. I was also grateful to the NHS Intermediate Care and the Coventry Carers Trust for providing lovely carers who couldn’t have done more to try and look after my wife. Coventry Social Services were heavily involved in providing respite care when we needed it. My wife spent two weeks respite in a lovely Dementia Care Home, not the most local, but one that completely satisfied me with the care provided by dedicated staff with all the facilities and activities that one could wish for. I spent several hours there each day and was delighted and content with the place. My wife also was very happy there. Soon after she came home, whilst she was lucid, I did ask which home she preferred and after a short pause, she said the other one. Sad for me, but I could understand why; there’s always something going on to catch her interest, if it’s not the organised activities, the visits by pat dogs, miniature horses, exotic creatures, entertainers, great meals etc then it’s the frequent attention of the all the care workers giving them love and fuss. Soon after my wife came home Social Services advised that she needed to go into permanent care and I agreed. We were initially offered a place in another home but I detailed all the reasons why I preferred the original respite home, our Social Worker agreed with me and very quickly the move was arranged. My wife is very happy there, I visit most days over lunch time for about 3 hours. I look forward to the visit and enjoy my time. The staff are very kind to me and it takes my mind off my serious health issues.
I realise now that I wasn’t doing my wife any favours in struggling so long in trying to look after her at home. Every case is different and it’s difficult to judge the right time but Dementia Professionals will advise and one Care Home Manager did say that the person can deteriorate quicker if placed in a Care Home too early.

Neil. My heart goes out to you, I am in the situation with my wife being diagnosed with Alzheimer's 4 years ago over the last 18 months she has declined so very much. I have someone to sit with her while I have some time to myself and both her and her employer are advising that I should consider putting her into care but I can't face doing that, I made a promise 51 yrs ago that we would care for each other in sickness and in health and I would consider that I have broken that promise, so I really understand and you have been absolutely brilliant in your care for your mother, I only hope that ZI can be as strong as you when I cane no longer cope. Enjoy you future.

Hello Neil! Breathe and take one moment at a time! Keep Pushing and take out some time for yourself! I loss my mom two years ago to Dementia. The hardest thing for me was her not being able to recognize her one and only child. That was me!! Believe me, I understand your heartfelt pain. Dementia affects each person differently. Therefore, I was able to keep my mom in her home that she loved so dearly. I made the sacrifice for her by leaving my home to be there for her . My mom was a great mom and was always there for me one way or another. I appreciate my kids and husband support and their parts for making her remaining days peaceful and loving. She didn’t recognized us but I believe within her heart she did. Determination is the Key! Continue to pray for strength!!

My wife & I
Got told in June she as the word .I don't like it so it's the word. In the house.
I try to keep strong but some day's I find it hard .I've not been any chat group's yet.
I want to keep her with as long as can .it's horrible .thing to have each day is hard .but I love her more than ever .I fine it hard to write it down on page's like this .

Neil, I feel your pain, this journey is so tough, no two days are the same. Lost Mum sadly this April and not a day goes by where I don't miss her, so cherish this precious time. xx

Hi Neil, you did all you could.
I'm probably going to be in a similar situation in the future.
My wife who is only 60 has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her memory started to show major problems 3 years ago and has gone steady downhill since then.
We still have good days but they are becoming fewer and further apart, I know that at some point in the future I'm not going to be able to care for her 24/7 so a care home maybe the only answer.
John

Dear all. I had the same expericne myself 3 years ago, actaually my Mum died last February. My own feedback is I did the right thing!! no doubt! in the place she lived it was easier to feed her on time, to bath her on time, etc. I know it is a hard thing to do, but I'm pretty sure even in exico is the best thing to do for them. Hugs to every relative and carer

Wendy I have just put my husband in a care home it broke my heart as I said I would always look after him after 47 years married
I have a financial review next week and am dreading it as I am in a similar position to you . Attendance allowance will go as will other parts of his pension . I have an amazing family but why should they support me ? Our house is the main asset now and I will keep it as we have split the ownership ., my husband is 71 years old
Good luck for your future

O,h my goodness Neil, what a saint you are. Most of us oldies worry about the what ifs, and who will look after us, it’s such a worry. We should have more people like you who have bee 100% dedicated to your Mum. My sister looked after our Mother for more than several years, it definitely broke her physically and nearly mentally. Now she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s how sad is that. My heart brakes for her.