Mum with dementia in hospital I need practical help

[Zazz101]

Hello, I am looking for help as the title says. My mum has dementia and has just been sectioned. I am just off to visit mum, but I wondered if anyone had any practical help I could offer her.
I am going to write a letter that explains to her that she is in hospital for a short while, so when she gets confused about where she is she can read it, but really hoped someone had any other suggestions. Many thanks.

i am sorry you are going through this. Alzheimer’s society has a forum, highly recommend it. There will always be someone who has been through it before,

Another who recommends the Alz Society's website forum - the Talking Point section is a fantastic source of knowledge, info and support.

I wouldn’t write a letter. My dh had dementia and although he could read he couldn’t understand what it was he was reading. Just visit her and be there for her even if she doesn’t remember you. Take care of yourself too. It’s a hard journey.

No need to do this The hospital will refer mum to social services when mum is nearing discharge She will have a care act assesment to identify care needs and I'm guessing an appropriate residential home will be found If mum goes onto a Section 3 her placement will be paid for ( Look up 117 aftercare funding ) this does not apply to a section 2

She's in the right place and as pusskins says any future care home placements will be paid for without any financial assessment. Don't worry if she's there for a while - can be several months. Most local authorities have a flat rate they pay towards care home placements, which will just about cover the cost. We used DFIL money to top up so we could move him to a care home nearer to us and DSIL.

The local authority will probably require a EMI registered care home and they can be tricky to find. You don't have to accept they one they suggest, but it will be up to you to find an alternative.

I'm so sorry you and your DM are in the position - dementia is an absolutely shitty disease. Please make contact with the Alzheimer's society for some support. We also found the Aged UK website and invaluable source of information of the financial side of things

Again thank you everyone. Mum was already in a dementia specialist home, so I’m hoping she can return when they stabilise her.
i took things in for her to do, colourings, magazines for her to look through, an absurdly bright toy llama which she loved !! The staff I have to say are outstanding which is reassuring

So I have another request if that’s okay. The notebook I bought Mum had a big sticker on it that I asked her to remove. She felt she was being extremely helpful doing it and actually took her about 20 minutes and she really enjoyed it. Can anyone think of any activities that would be similar to this for her, thank you as ever.

Sorting crayon colours, buttons into different piles. I have seen articles about occupying children with similar ideas so you could search for them. I think they see it as a useful sort of housekeeping task so it links to their life before dementia; they have a purpose.

If you look on Amazon you'll find activity kits and fidget type "toys" or blankets that are specifically made for people with dementia. It might be a good distraction for her mind.

For my nan I used to "accidentally" take all of the tissues out of her box and she'd happily fold each one up and put them in a neat pile on her table.

Pairing socks is often enjoyed.
Did your mum work? I know one lady who previously worked in admin who had several files that had papers paper and dividers in and she used to be very content organising her files.