Mo the Cat: Value of Pets for People with Dementia

One morning recently, I overheard mum saying to the carer, “I should be able to get washed and dressed myself,” before bursting into tears. The carer was sensitive and supportive, and mum was soon dressed and ready for the day. But, sitting in the living room a little later, she was still feeling fragile and …

Responding Mindfully to Emotional Turmoil

Now I have adequate time off and enough sleep, the biggest issue I face is how to support mum through times of emotional turmoil. The turmoil is not only felt by her. When mum dips into despair or becomes greatly agitated, I experience a surprising range of emotions. Empathy, compassion and concern for mum are …

Decision Time: Does Mum Stay Home?

Mum has been back at her former care home since last Friday. This has enabled me to attend a mindfulness teacher training course in Oxford and take holiday with my husband, Jack. After six weeks looking after mum, I felt physically and emotionally drained when I dropped her off. As I drove away I felt …

Mum’s First Week Back at Home

Mum’s first week back at home has not been easy for her or me. Before mum came home, I was aware I hadn’t put into place all my pre-homecoming plans. I made progress on lots of things, but didn’t get completely up to date with tax and admin, or pre-cooked all the healthy meals I’d planned. …