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Elderly parents

Back again and having a crisis

18 replies

JaceLancs · 12/10/2020 01:01

It’s nearly a year since DF died - thank you for all your support at the time
Been a strange one with the whole Covid situation - DM 81 has Alzheimer’s but lives alone with bit of help from us - shopping, financial, practical help but is still independent where possible and we try to encourage this
Today had a call from church she attends regular - she’d had a fall - I got there as soon as I could - waited 4 hours for ambulance - taken to local A n E
They wouldn’t let me go in due to Covid - I tried to explain that due to her dementia she wouldn’t be able to give them a true picture of how she was - but basically ignored apart from me ringing them to give them her medical history
DM has broken arm but too high as in near shoulder - for plaster just soft sling and review - discharged home as no room all spare beds needed to kept clear for potential Covid
I picked her up - she can hardly walk - got her home - struggled to get her out of my car - she can’t get on or off toilet without help
Due to dementia keeps trying to remove sling, badly dehydrated not helping dementia but I’m worried about her toileting if drinking too much
Just got home now in early hours n can go back first thing to sort personal care but am then driving 200 miles for a work thing I really can’t cancel
DB could help but won’t as he says too Covid risky as his DW is shielding!
DS and DD can do a bit between them but need an emergency care package of short term nursing home
I will dip into savings if necessary but am so disgusted that she was discharged - she probably said she was ok! They did not assess her at all

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Defenbaker · 12/10/2020 01:32

That sounds like a total nightmare. My parents both died in 2016, they were in their 80s and both had several health issues. Dad had advanced dementia by the last year of his life, and was in a care home, but prior to then he was living at home with Mum, and there were several hospital admissions where I had to accompany him and explain all his medical history, as he wasn't able to do that himself and the medics were always too busy to read his notes. I felt like I was a walking, talking version of his medical notes, and knew that if I didn't perform that function something important might be overlooked. When your elderly parent has dementia they are so vulnerable that you really become their advocate, and are constantly sorting out issues as they arise. On top of that the personal care side is difficult, for many reasons.

I can't imagine how much worse all that is, when you are prevented from doing that, due to a pandemic. It sounds like your mother has been discharged without any proper care plan in place. Perhaps she masked her symptoms and told them she was coping just fine - that's very common in these situations, where pride comes into play. If your brother can't/won't step up, maybe you and your DC will have to work out some kind of rota to cover the essential care, until you can either source agency workers to help support her at home, or move her into a care home. From what you've said I think this may be a case of fire fighting until the next crisis occurs, then you can call an ambulance and push for re-admission, stating that she has had a failed discharge and must not be sent home again without an appropriate care package in place because it is not safe and you cannot provide the level of care needed. You might need to complain loudly to the hospital management/PALs liaison officer to get yourself heard.

Meantime, buy plenty of incontinence pads/pants, and plenty of disposable gloves, to deal with the toilet issues. Maybe put some old towels under her bed sheet to soak up the worst of the inevitable toilet accidents. I'd recommemd that you visit the forum on the Carers UK website, where lots of people who've been in similar situations will offer support and advice.

You have my utmost sympathy, this is a really hard situation to be in, and you are probably still grieving the loss of your father. Life is so tough at times. Take care of yourself too.

planplan · 12/10/2020 08:37

Call social services first thing.
Unsafe discharge.
They can help sort respite or emergency care even if your mum is self funding or will fund it if not.
Or they may bat it back to health and she will get a rehab type bed.

JaceLancs · 12/10/2020 11:17

I sorted DM out first thing this morning - got there and she was stuck on toilet!
DD has asked for extended lunch break to return to help her and will also call this evening
DS has tomorrow covered - I will be back by next day
I have contacted Social Services and am waiting for call back - if no one contacts me soon DB will have to pursue this afternoon

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JaceLancs · 12/10/2020 17:35

DM has care package of 4 visits a day starting tomorrow
Its for 2 weeks initially then we can review depending on arm n general mobility

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maddywest · 13/10/2020 08:59

That's great Jace - did Social Services just sort that out once you had contacted them? what magic words did you use? Well done!
I remember you from last year - how are the kittys?

JaceLancs · 13/10/2020 11:06

Due to my day job - I’m fairly used to taking no prisoners when it comes to dealing with health, social care, DWP etc!
Just about to ring hospital as despite DB and I requesting not to contact DM - she’s just had a call from fracture clinic - unfortunately she can’t remember what they said!!!
I suspect it’s an appointment which if we can’t accompany her will be pointless as she won’t remember or understand what they say to her
Yesterday was a trial with her forgetting she had broken it and removing sling to get dressed etc then not putting it back on
Last night she refused to go to bed as she likes to stay up late - so as none of us could go back after midnight we just had to leave her to manage

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JaceLancs · 13/10/2020 11:07

Reuben is just as adorable

Back again and having a crisis
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JaceLancs · 13/10/2020 11:08

Evie is still a grumpy but pampered princess

Back again and having a crisis
Back again and having a crisis
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JaceLancs · 13/10/2020 11:11

Evie

Back again and having a crisis
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JaceLancs · 13/10/2020 11:13

Oops didn’t show picture first time
Just spoke to hospital DM has appointment at fracture clinic and they’ve agreed to let me in 😊

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maddywest · 14/10/2020 08:34
Smile and yes, I've been allowed into recent outpatient clinic appointments with my mum without any problem, there's no way she'd cope or understand properly on her own, I just phoned up and said I would have to accompany her and they put 'requires assistance, daughter will accompany' on her notes.
JaceLancs · 15/10/2020 16:30

It’s not been a great few days
I took DM to fracture clinic today and made sure they let me in
I insisted they investigate further and as I suspected she also has a broken hip that they missed completely when they saw her in A & E on Sunday
I am so angry
They have now admitted her for emergency hip replacement
Ward she is on also has Covid patients so not allowed in - they will just have to put up with me ringing them and trying to do hand overs in corridor
I am off now to get her stuff and LPOA as they want sight of the original even though they should have it on file

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Beamur · 15/10/2020 16:38

Geez. That's appalling.
You have my complete sympathy. My DM died a few years ago, but dealing with hospitals and health care for a parent with dementia and injuries is such such hard work.

Defenbaker · 15/10/2020 20:49

OP, no wonder you're angry - how could they miss a broken hip?! I'd be fuming as well.

Do you think that your DM might need to go into a nursing home for rehab after the op - surely it won't be safe or practical for her to be at home directly afterwards, if she will be bed bound for a while, then need rehab? She might well qualify for Continuing Health Care in those circumstances. When my elderly DM was in hospital, and was very poorly, her consultant submitted an application to the authority, then once it was approved I was given details of which nursing homes were on their approved list. I chose a home that was near enough to visit easily, and the staff there were brilliant.

JaceLancs · 15/10/2020 21:42

I went back to hospital tonight with DD in full paramedic gear as back up (sad but true they have more respect for a uniform)
They were extremely polite and took all details, medical history, paperwork etc - we also did the info for dementia patients
Let’s see how it goes now
Just had a bit of a row with DB who is quite controlling at the best of times
I’m backing off tonight and having more than a few gins

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Beamur · 15/10/2020 23:24

Gin I think you deserve it.

JaceLancs · 31/10/2020 21:35

Dcat for anyone who needs one

Back again and having a crisis
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JaceLancs · 31/10/2020 21:39

A year ago today we lost my lovely Dad
Pleased to say DM came out of hospital yesterday and is walking reasonably ok with stick
Initial care package 4 visits a day plus district nurses
OT assessed and has chair raisers, commode, toilet frame etc - just waiting for grab rails
Already has a wet room
I’m just concerned with lockdown she will struggle without visits from friends and family as well as unable to get out and about

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