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Elderly parents

DM, denying dementia and getting her to accept substitute carers

10 replies

diningiswest · 06/06/2022 14:22

Hello, you've all been very kind to me before under another username a few years ago. I now have a different kind of problem, which I will try and explain.

DM lives miles away from us - and my siblings. Her choice after DF died. She has a house with a granny flat, but she is in the main bit of the house.

Physically she is fine but she is slowly developing dementia. During lockdown, a couple (A and B) moved into the granny flat as initially a temporary measure. They were already carers for someone else, but it gave her some company and a household, and gradually they are doing more and more for her - and being paid for it.

DM does not want to know this. She thinks they are her friends (even if she can only irregularly remember their names). She was told that they were being paid once, and it nearly broke her; she has now forgotten this and is much happier. Everything is ticking along fine except...

A&B want to go on holiday over the summer. How do we do this? In DM's mind, they are not carers so we cannot get respite carers?

We might all tag team the holiday between us, but that's only kicking the problem down the line, as A&B are not going to stay forever (for various perfectly good reasons that we knew about).

Under any normal circumstances we'd be waiting for a fall or something to suggest she goes into sheltered accommodation. She is as tough as an ox, this is not going to happen. So what's the best way to approach this?

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Ilikewinter · 06/06/2022 14:32

Wow that sounds like a tough situation, if it were me I think I'd have to be honest and explain to DM whats actually happening, if she realises how much help they have been providing would that convince her to accept the help?

PermanentTemporary · 06/06/2022 14:43

What are they doing for her?

I'd be inclined to tag team the holiday. As and when A&B leave you will presumably aim to find someone else? That's not going to change whether you get through to your Nan or not.

I think you're right about a crisis coming - it sounds as if it's more likely to be your Nan wandering at night or starting to phone you at all hours. To some extent I wouldn't try to live in the future. You could do a few things like install a door alarm or a smart monitor (that alerts you if eg the kettle is not used for a defined period of time) or you could just accept that it's not going to be perfect and your Nan will want to live in her own place for as long as possible.

diningiswest · 06/06/2022 15:06

@Ilikewinter It was explained to her once and she was absolutely distraught because one of the main things about her dementia is that she forgets she has it, which keeps her happy but makes doing things very difficult. So we don't really want to do it again - but will have to if they leave.

@PermanentTemporary They pop in three times a day, make sure she is eating well, doesn't order random stuff from the internet, remind her if she has appointments and takes her to them - so to some degree we don't need the monitors because if that kind of thing happens, they will know and will tell us.

But I think you are right about the form the crisis might take - and even then, I think she has the money to pay for more extensive carers to live in the granny flat.

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Birkenshock · 06/06/2022 18:20

Could you find a different carer who would "move in" while A&B were on holiday and take over their roles? And just say it's their friend who needs a place to stay/wants a UK staycation break etc etc?

Generally I think with dementia it's easiest on them to "join their world" rather than force the truth on them. So if you can kick the problem down the line, I would

Mosaic123 · 06/06/2022 21:47

You could call them lodgers if that helps.

I hope you have, or are organising POA so carers can be paid, as well as for other reasons of course.

diningiswest · 07/06/2022 07:50

Birkenshock · 06/06/2022 18:20

Could you find a different carer who would "move in" while A&B were on holiday and take over their roles? And just say it's their friend who needs a place to stay/wants a UK staycation break etc etc?

Generally I think with dementia it's easiest on them to "join their world" rather than force the truth on them. So if you can kick the problem down the line, I would

Yes you're absolutely right about joining their world, and we just need to find a way of applying that to this situation. Thank you.

@Mosaic123 We have POA and my brother has been running her money for a few years now - he gets alerts about her banking too, but she has a habit of cancelling her bank card when she doesn't recognise a transaction on her account, which is where having people with her really helps...

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Beamur · 07/06/2022 07:58

Birkenshock · 06/06/2022 18:20

Could you find a different carer who would "move in" while A&B were on holiday and take over their roles? And just say it's their friend who needs a place to stay/wants a UK staycation break etc etc?

Generally I think with dementia it's easiest on them to "join their world" rather than force the truth on them. So if you can kick the problem down the line, I would

I agree with this.
Just work with the 'truth' that keeps her safe and at home as long as possible.
If you can get some alternative carers in, just call them friends of the people who usually live there.

CMOTDibbler · 07/06/2022 08:07

I think I'd give A&B telling her that they have 'C&D' moving in to house sit for them while they are on holiday a try. Have a consistent story on 'they'll be cleaning/gardening/keeping an eye on everything' and they can present reminders in a 'A phoned me and said she'd forgotten about your dentist appointment tomorrow, and asked me to take you. A gave me the details, got to earn my keep eh!'. Then they are working for A&B and it feeds firmly into her reality

MereDintofPandiculation · 07/06/2022 08:35

So we don't really want to do it again - but will have to if they leave. You don’t have to. Friends move away too.

diningiswest · 07/06/2022 18:06

I think you are right, we'll do our best with this and see what happens...

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