Mum with dementia in hospital I need practical help

Depends on how far gone she is, my mum had it off the back of Parkinsons and it wrecked her, she couldn't talk properly, got frustrated, sometimes violent surprisingly as she was quite little and frail.

You really need to ensure you have proper care for her. My dad was my mums carer but would call me in tears because mum wanted to get out the house at 3am to go for a walk or because she thought my son was in the middle of the road alone because of the hallucinations.

Whilst I appreciate what youre trying to do with the letter, this isn't 50 First Dates, this is going to be hard on your mum. She'll be scared, feeling alone and may not recognise or remember you. In turn, this will be devastating for you to realise your own mother doesn't recognise you.

Dementia is awful and I really do feel for you, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Mum liked to have family photos whilst in hospital (also a reminder to staff she has an active family checking up)
Does your Mum have something she likes to hold? Mine was lost without her handbag.

It does depend on the person but a short note that the staff can keep reading to her could calm her. For example “You’re in X Hospital, Zazz knows you’re here and will come and see you tomorrow”

I'm sorry this has happened.
I think, if she's bad enough to have been sectioned, a letter will not be of any use.

I don't think writing a letter would be much good either. You could ask the hospital for advice or get in touch with one of the dementia charities to see if they have any suggestions. The muff sounds a good idea. I've not heard of that.

If she has dementia bad enough that she’s been sectioned, I’m afraid she’s unlikely to remember anything in a letter for more than a minute or two after she’s read it.

If you can knit, or know anyone who can, a twiddle muff is said to be very helpful for dementia patients, for keeping their hands busy. Pre COVID I made several for our local hospital.

You should be able to find a pattern if you Google Oxford University Hospitals Twiddle Muff. They can use up any odds and ends of yarn.

This is a contentious one but also consider whether to leave her dentures, glasses, hearing aids etc at the hospital. Sounds awfully mean to remove them but the chance of them disappearing is huge. Order spares if they go with her and label anything possible.

If you are nearby enough to visit regularly then do her laundry and keep her ‘smells’ as usual and provide photos, which are labelled, of the family so the staff can show them to her and remind her who is who.

If she has been sectioned because she has become aggressive then you have my utmost sympathy. It happened to my friend’s DF and was absolutely awful. He was, though, a little calmed by her visits. Oh and also developed a very sweet tooth which she could indulge.

Best wishes.

Something familiar? Her favourite socks/perfume/biscuits?

Can you take some things that are familiar to her? Pyjamas/wash bits/ her radio (with headphones.) Is there anything in particular she likes doing at home that she could do there?

Is she still living at home and is it likely she will return there?

Is she in a psych ward or medical ward?