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Elderly parents

The Cockroach Cafe (the successor to the Shiny Thread)

964 replies

MereDintofPandiculation · 22/08/2019 22:25

A space for us all to get together for relief from caring, share news, frustrations, problems, or just have a rant. Everyone and everything welcome (though if you have a big problem needing advice, you may want to start a new thread so as to be heard above the noise of the clanking gin bottles and general chatter)

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MereDintofPandiculation · 11/12/2019 09:51

I second Flamingnoras suggestion of wine in the evening. Mine's aniseed balls. Every time I have a difficult father-related session, I allow myself a couple of aniseed balls.

We did go through a stage of having a glass as soon as we'd finished our own tasks for the day just so we could legitimately say "sorry, can't come". I've done that too! Not just with my father, also with DS who faced with a 2 mile downhill walk, an hour's wait for a bus to the doorstep, or a bus with a 500yd walk, feels the obvious solution is to get one of us out for a lift. OK after he's had a particularly bad day, but not as a routine!

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countrygirl99 · 11/12/2019 19:33

Definitely a glass of wine evening. FIL always used to use Facebook to see what the family where up to and to share photos. The last few months he has taken to sharing nasty right wing and anti immigrant stuff. It was too much for DS2 (lovely Finnish girlfriend) and he phoned to check FIL won't be at our house when they visit over Christmas. Luckily DS1 (lovely Chinese girlfriend) isn't on Facebook. OH has been charged with "having words", he isn't looking forward to it.

countrygirl99 · 12/12/2019 20:03

Progressed to whisky this evening. Words have been said. Lovely Finnish future daughter in law posted on Facebook about how the current political rhetoric and some recent real life experiences have made her feel unsafe and it made me cry.

Toofaroutallmylife · 13/12/2019 20:27

Aaagh! Started to post this earlier and stopped
But feeling a bit more balanced.

Backstory: DM has dementia. Currently in a lovely care home where they try very hard - she’s had so much more interaction with people since she went there.

But she wants to go hoooooome, This is usually accompanied by tears and threats of suicide.

We’re going through the DoLs process, but her own solicitors agree that the risk of her having a trial at home are too high.

DSis and I live a long way away (5 - 6 hours) - we come to visit when we can but it’s very hard.

Today I came down on the train which was massively delayed, so I wasn’t in the best place to start with. She was really pleased to see me, but we then had to do the “why can’t I go home” conversation. She looks so well, and sounded quite together, so I felt sooo guilty and sad, But I do know that even if I wanted her to be at her house it wouldn’t happen.

I was holding it together ok until we got onto her “other house”. This is a completely fictional house she’s decided we’re all moving into. I tried so hard not to contradict her, but when she said “ah well, you said DS couldn’t manage the hill to the other school”, I said “well, he’s settled so well into his new school we don’t want to move him” and she went ballistic!

“I’m monitoring your fibs! I’m very smart you know and I’m keeping an eye on all the fibs you’ve told me!”

At that point it was time for me to leave. I just said I was tired after my long journey. But seriously I needed such a big cry! Just too sodding hard! How do I cope with this?

thesandwich · 13/12/2019 20:44

add I am sorry you are having to deal with this. Dementia is cruel. Please dont feel guilty about her not going home- she may be talking about somewhere completely different.
Others may be able to recommend reading etc about how to handle your mum- but never disagree.
🌺🌺🍷🍷for you.

yolofish · 13/12/2019 21:21

countrygirl and toofarout - sending you steadying vibes, you are doing your very best.

A week on from our hospital meeting and no confirmation of what was discussed and what steps would be taken to change things. Think I will have to chase on Monday... I was thinking about mum a lot today, and how she used to be so sharp - she would have been full of political stuff.

Toofaroutallmylife · 13/12/2019 21:42

Thanks thesandwich and yolo. The worst thing is I really miss her: I miss being able to call her and share my highs and lows. I have a wonderfully supportive DH and family, but- you know what I mean

yolofish · 13/12/2019 21:46

toofarout yes I totally understand you and missing your mum. I miss mine, how she was before frailty and ill health overtook her, even though she was only officially diagnosed with dementia about 4 weeks before her death. I miss the person she was, not the person she became.

notaflyingmonkey · 14/12/2019 14:41

Random question - I need to find a destress-y something to do with myself that isn't eating or drinking or sitting on the internet. I seem to struggle with reading these days, as I don't have the concentration span. For some reason the idea of crochet appeals - does anyone know if it is something that I could teach myself to do?

countrygirl99 · 14/12/2019 16:34

nota I'm learning Spanish using Duolingo. I find it pushes everything else out of my mind for a few minutes.

countrygirl99 · 14/12/2019 16:42

DH has had words with FIL, got the usual "I didn't mean them". I think he got the message across. Lovely Finnish girlfriend wrote a very moving post on Facebook about how insecure she feels at the moment and how she is now afraid to speak on the phone to her gran in her own language if she is in a public space. Not only was she was viciously verbally abused for speaking a foreign language when her mum phoned her, another immigrant was attacked on a bus in their city. So now she speaks English to her mum if she is out but she can't to her gran. FIL won't see it though as she had unfriended him. I think he would be shocked to realise the impact his posts have had on someone he does actually care about.

VictoriaBun · 14/12/2019 17:44

notaflyingmonkey
You absolutely can teach yourself to crochet, and it is something that is a lovely , relaxing thing to do.
Look at Bella Coco crochet on youtube, she also has a Facebook page.

notaflyingmonkey · 14/12/2019 18:10

Thank you for the encouragement Victoria I will take a look at that.

thesandwich · 14/12/2019 19:12

nota what about audio books? I can get lost in one and pootle around even cleaning.......
yolo keep fighting.... the documentary is on this week about our local hospital....
hope everyone else is doing ok. cockroach

JaceLancs · 14/12/2019 20:57

I knit and crochet - one of the few things I can do with Dcat on knee!
It would’ve been my Dads 94th birthday today - instead we are interring his ashes tomorrow
I’m still struggling with the whole Xmas thing - quite low etc
On a more positive note am cutting back on the drinking and getting back on my diet

TheoriginalLEM · 15/12/2019 00:10

Hey - thus fell off my active list. Things continue to be dire with mum.

TheoriginalLEM · 15/12/2019 00:55

Sorry, that got cut short . I also posted a long post earlier but it got lost before i sent it.

Just reaching out to everyone really. My head is too muddled to comment at present. I wish I could support you more

AutumnRose1 · 15/12/2019 01:12

LEM, I wish I could support you all more.

Jace, sending love for tomorrow.

TheoriginalLEM · 15/12/2019 01:18

Jace i wish you well for tomorrow.

I need to get my crochet hook out. Oh to have time

thesandwich · 15/12/2019 08:40

jace thinking of you.
LEM 🌺🌺

MereDintofPandiculation · 15/12/2019 10:51

For some reason the idea of crochet appeals - does anyone know if it is something that I could teach myself to do? Yes, I did, lots of beginners books, and the process itself is quite straightforward. It's very absorbing, looking at the structure of it, I find it fascinating the way the pattern evolves from a combination of how fast you progress forward and how long a stitch you drop to anchor into the previous row.. You can basically use wool or cotton and a larger hook and make blankets, throws, clothes, soft toys, or you can use much thinner cotton and a tiny hook and make lace. All my hand towels now have lace edgings.

I use crochet to keep half my brain occupied when my dad is talking very very slowly and in a fantasy land of his own - it keeps me calm enough not to try and correct him when he explains that the town we are in doesn't actually belong to our city, it belongs to the next city and our city have to pay a vast amount of rent, and the freehold of my house has been bought without my knowledge by British Gas who will sue me for outstanding rent and bankrupt me.

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MereDintofPandiculation · 15/12/2019 10:52

LEM There will come a time when you feel able to support others. Now is the time to accept support.

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flamingnoravera · 15/12/2019 13:30

I've got to go the cars home xmas party this afternoon. Does one take a gift for the staff? If so, what?

thesandwich · 15/12/2019 14:44

Oooh maybe too late but tins of biscuits/ chocs?

flamingnoravera · 15/12/2019 17:53

I just took a card in the end.

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