Cockroach cafe 🪳 Spring 2022 🪳

Also hello @HerkyBaby. There are some amazing people here who have kept me sane over the past year or so.

@ChiswickFlo I'm ten years older than you and part of the reason for starting my OU degree two years ago was that it was something that my mum would respect and therefore give me time to do. So I knew that I would have an hour or two every day when she would not call me. Find something that really interests you and go for it. I have enjoyed my current module so much. I have two essays to do in the next five weeks and I am finished for the year. I have loved every minute so far. Go for it.

I’m so relieved to have found this group. Not ready to post details yet but just reading posts may help me to endure.

@countrygirl99 Mum's story was that she was all alone, she never went anywhere or saw anyone or spoke to a soul all week. For her, that was how she lived.

She spoke to me twenty times a day on the phone and I was there for three hours a day, every day. When we were allowed we went to the shops, garden centres, the library, out for coffee but because she couldn't remember having done it, it had never happened.

I'm considering starting an OU degree in October (I'll be 50..) to keep me occupied :)

Re: city break - Mum won't be using a wheelchair whilst there just at the airport (dont get me started...) as its quite far from the gate to the terminal.

There is a lift at the hotel and the 3rd night she is in a ground floor garden room in a b&b.

I'm going to ask for preventative antibiotics just in case to take with us.

It's a short flight but her ankles will swell (can't wear compression stockings as she has pvd)

We are only allowed 7kgs of on flight luggage going there so that'll be interesting. Packing light is not mums strong point :)

Happy Easter all 🐣

It doesn't help that she is convinced that there are big family gatherings going on that she is excluded from - the last one was dad's funeral, next one is a summer wedding! But at least it was DB1 got the blast which is fair given the wedding invite palaver the other week.

I've come to the conclusion that the kindest thing we can do for our children is make sure ability to entertain ourselves if left on our own. DB1 got a blast from mum yesterday because she is lonely. DB2 and I were there last weekend, DB1 was there 3 times in the week and I'm going up today but apparently it's not enough.

@ChiswickFlo

I went away with my mum a few times but always by train. We did a day trip to Bath, Disneyland (my daughters came too) and our last trip together was to Brussels.

We booked assistance and it was very simple. The only issue if you can call it that was getting a taxi that would take the wheelchair but that obviously is not going to be a problem for you as you are hiring a car.

Have you made sure that there is a lift to your mum's room? Our hotel in Brussels had a lift but it was too small to fit the wheelchair with mum in it! We stayed in the city centre so we were able to take our bags back to our room and sit and rest in the middle of the day although that was more for my benefit than mum's.

@ChiswickFlo you are very brave! No suggestions sorry, except maybe barrier cream for soreness? Dm uses medi derm- was prescribed but you can get it from amazon.
@Knotaknitter thanks- I am enjoying the sunshine, and meeting one or two friends outside is wonderful.
@VeryMuchFlaggingMinty hope the peace continues.
Happy Easter all!!

Happy Easter all.

We're at mum's tonight as it's dad's birthday today and obviously Easter tomorrow. Was a little fraught initially but peace is prevailing now (touch wood).

@ChiswickFlo can't help on the travel front...mum had no interest, thankfully. Taking her out for a meal is drama enough!

Happy Easter to all 🐣

Hope you're all OK?

Mums coming here for lunch tomorrow as neither of my siblings have offered 🙄😡

Tbh she pretty much eats then leaves so won't be an issue. She's eating tiny portions too atm.

Have any of you travelled with an elderly frail person before?

Its 7 weeks til we go to a European city for 3 days. Nice hotel booked, restaurants booked and am going to contact the airline for assistance/wheelchair.

We've hired a large suv type car so we can all fit in easily.

Any tips? Anything I should be aware of? I'm starting a worry a bit 😬

Mum managed a short walk today
But is now coughing and bringing up phlegm

Thank you both, I’ll order some of each and see how she gets on.

[[Brand: iD Expert
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DM's care home asked us to supply these 'slips' rather than the full pants.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07X6HCMQQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

I got some from amazon
I'll try and link

Just popping in too, noticed that there was some discussion about incontinence pads above. Just awaiting a call back from the doc because the Tena are making mum sore and she has a rash. I’ve ordered a selection from Age Uk for her to try but wonder if anyone has some recommendations?

Just nipping in to say hello to you all and read your updates. It's now 5 weeks since my mum died. The undertaker rang to say can I collect her ashes this week.

My poor disabled brother who was struggling on alone in the bungalow had a nasty fall last week and ended up in hospital. He was better by Friday but was not allowed to go home to the bungalow as it's not (and never was) safe for him there with so little care provided by the council. So he's stuck in hospital. Perfectly well while social services sort out a care home for him. He's been ready to be discharged for a week now...

@thesandwich Nice to see you, are you enjoying this lovely Spring weather? (It didn't actually rain here today although it threatened it all day)

I've got her some fortisips and some anto nausea meds

The copd nurse came today for a home visit (mum had an appointment booked when she was in hospital..)

I did point out it's been 3 years since she had a review...

She's been put on a new inhaler.

Thank you@ChiswickFlo🌺🌺