Mum is going back home what do we need.

[eosmum]

Mum is insisting she goes home to her own house, been with my sis for 6 months. We’re in Ireland so things might be slightly different. We have 2 30 minute care visits per day. Not weekends. She is mobile liable to trips though. We will get a personal alarm, thinking of a ring doorbell, not sure what type though and what accessories. She’s very poor eyesight can read a kindle at the largest font, diabetes, very poor hearing, heart failure. Anything we can put in place for her? TIA

If you're getting a Ring then I'd definitely recommend the hardwired version. We started off with the battery one but found the batteries needed charging up frequently and it became a pain.

Also, does she have a key safe? We had one fitted to an elderly relative's house so that carers could let themselves in, and paramedics if necessary, without her having to get up to answer the door.

When we got my mum's personal alarm, we got a wristband one (her preference) that also had a fall sensor, in case she fell and couldn't press the button.

Yes to the key safe, as PP said.

You can get internal cameras for the ring doorbell too. We bought one for our dogs! You can talk through it using an app on your phone.

In our experience, especially in Covid times, social aspects of life are very hard to attain for elderly frail people living alone.

We put a lot of effort into training MIL in FaceTime etc but to little avail. There might be a better options.

There are fall alarms available.

Go to local pharmacy to fill out form. Find out if you can get regular medication delivered for free. Reorder before it runs out on phone or internet

Here in England we’d have a new care assessment to make sure 2 visits a day is enough.

Will the carers do housework too? Does she need someone to come in to hoover/change sheets etc?

Food - does she need supermarket delivery set up? Can she manage the microwave/kettle?

Key safe, personal alarm. We found those essential.
Grab rails, does she bathe or shower and how easy to access is that?
Check the house for slip/trip hazards and sharp corners. The
Think about how she’ll feed and hydrate, I converted my mother to the idea of microwave as some cooking activities were more hazardous than others.

You’ll have to think on your feet and adapt fast, so good communication Is essential. ID an issue and fix it. Good luck!

Look around the house beforehand and remove any obvious trip hazards.
Get a large button phone and simple mobile.
Invest in really good lighting - a very bright one for meals and activities.
Check her footwear is in good condition and sturdy not sloppy.
Consider whether handrails are needed or would be helpful
Consider a commode for night time use, if she’s continent.
Torch under pillow so it’s easy to get light at night.
Motion sensor lights in hallways, kitchen and bathroom.
Key safe outside.
Dial-a-ride or community transport advice and number, if she wants greater independence
Set up Wiltshire Farms or other meals on wheels type system. Or a regular online shop if she wants to cook.
Invest in a cleaner and possibly a gardener. Definitely a cleaner.
Check she has all financial support she’s entitled to - higher level attendance allowance etc.
Look at cooker - if gas consider changing. At least put large markings on both cooker and microwave so she can see usual setting. Most go in at 180-200 degreesC.
Get a long battery gas lighter, not matches.
Check outlet temperature of hot water and have adjusted, if necessary
Get a large face clock beside her bed.

Possible activities include;
Large face cards
Large piece jigsaws
Bird table and chair where she can see it.
Bigger screen television, if possible.
A throw/blanket to hand on sofa.

Ask her if there is anything she wants.

If her eyesight is very poor, you can get a talking microwave, but would she be able to hear it?

You can also get smoke alarms that come with a vibrating thing that you put under your pillow so it will wake her if there is smoke. DM had one of these after the fire alarm went off in her retirement village and she couldn't be roused.

High contrast things in the kitchen might help too. A lot of people with eyesight loss use black chopping boards and sometimes plates. You'd have to see what works for her.

How is she for entertainment? She can read the kindle, can she hear the tv/radio? Does she need some wireless headphones?

I'd also get a chain on the front door.

Thanks a million so many excellent suggestions. She won’t be cooking as such and one of us will call every night to put her to bed and we’ll shop for her. Excellent advice, internal camera, never knew about fall alarm, key safe installed already, smoke alarm, motion and brighter lights, pharmacy delivery, hard wired ring bell. She’s very tech savvy so FaceTime and face book are already in place. A cleaner would be good. I’m pure terrified about this but it’s her call at the end of the day. Thank you all for your time I really appreciate it.

How are you getting on @eosmum? Has she moved back home yet?

Not yet @JiltedJohnsJulie, the house needs some work done on it to make it safe and no one is allowed do that type of work in lockdown. I'm also having trouble sourcing the alarms and doorbell in Ireland. Everything out of stock. But we will get there, thanks for asking.

the house needs some work done on it to make it safe and no one is allowed do that type of work in lockdown. Are you in Ireland? You can still get work done in England

We are currently looking at adaptions at my DF bungalow, and one thing that has come up is the toilet door, won't apply if toilet is large or part of bathroom, but DF s toilet is very small, so we are changing the door to open outwards, so if he has a fall in there, easier to access.

If you contact your local community healthcare NHS trust they might well be able to advise and get and OT assessment then help with things like raised lavatory seats and standing frames for over the lavatory, ramps and other things to make it safer for her.

Yep in Ireland, and can't find anyone who will do it at the moment. Great idea about the toilet door, it's separate and in a dark corner of the house, opening out would be far easier. The PHN won't come out until mam is home would you believe, makes no sense so that's why suggestions here have been so great. Thanks everyone.