Household Stuff

[Bunnychocs]

I'm finding it difficult to keep up with the house maintenance for my elderly parent as I work full time and don't get much help.

I've realised that the boiler hasn't been serviced for a while and because I have anxiety I am worried about carbon monoxide poisoning. I hadn't checked that the carbon monoxide detector batteries were working.

Would it be very obvious if my parent had carbon monoxide poisoning? I have googled the symptoms and he is confused but he has Alzhiemers and has been breathless in the past but has had this in the fresh air and doesn't seem to have it anymore.

I'm overwhelmed with this. Thanks

No it wouldn't be obvious but chances of boiler being faulty are very low. To what I know once away from boiler your symptoms improve. I believe headache and nausea are a symptoms. Check the batteries ASAP or buy a new alarm and then book a service.

I'm sorry you are feeling so stressed about all this. I would try to focus on getting the service done rather than on the symptoms. Would some kind of house management contract be affordable to take the pressure off you? Or would your relative do ok in a care home?

I would feel better if he was in a care home but it is a bit of a difficult situation. It is also difficult to get him to let me do things in the home. With this, lockdown and everything else to sort out the boiler maintenance slipped my mind

Of course. A horrible worry for you. I wonder if you're quite far away - even if you're a street away or in the same house though it's still difficult.

I would separate the two things. If he seems better, that's good. It's true that the battle to get the boiler serviced is worth having though.

My parent's local fire station fitted smoke alarms for them which included a carbon monoxide detector too. It might be worth checking if there's a similar service in your area.

Age UK have approved handymen so maybe worth seeing if they can recommend someone local to service the boiler. Other than that I joined the local FB board in my parents area so that I could get recommendations on local companies.

It's hard work though. I'm in the same position, working full time with stuff to organise for my mum at home. My dad in a care home so at least there's only paying the bills to organise for him.