2018 was quite a year for me and my mum. After over two years I brought mum back to her own home. As I look back, I am extremely grateful to all those who have supported us, particularly one doctor...
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 … Continue reading Responding Mindfully to Emotional Turmoil
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 … Continue reading Decision Time: Does Mum Stay Home?
Sleep Deprivation Marks Mum’s Fourth Week at Home
Mum got up 16 times the night before last. Yesterday, with just over two hours sleep, I felt like death warmed up. It may explain why both mum and I were unusually weepy watching the last two episodes of British period drama, Cranford! Over the last week, I have had four sleep-deprived nights. I guess … Continue reading Sleep Deprivation Marks Mum’s Fourth Week at Home
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. … Continue reading Mum’s First Week Back at Home
Dementia-Friendly Door and Drawer Signs
As mum was coming home, I needed to signpost key rooms and the contents of wardrobes and drawers. You can get such signs so that the person living with dementia can find their way around the home independently, and can find personal belongings more easily. I looked into buying signs from specialist suppliers, but decided … Continue reading Dementia-Friendly Door and Drawer Signs
Maintaining Routines: Nights, Mornings and Social Services
On Sunday night after I had gone to bed, mum had a fall in the care home. Going to the toilet, groggy with sleep, she tumbled forward and banged her head on the basin as she fell. The care home staff alerted me after they called an ambulance. I pulled on some clothes and drove … Continue reading Maintaining Routines: Nights, Mornings and Social Services
Bringing Mum Home: Emotions and Preparations
Since we decided to bring mum home I have experienced a wide range of strong emotions. Mostly a feeling of relief that we got the right decision and an eagerness to get started; but also occasionally, fear and foreboding about my world getting smaller and having less freedom to go back to my own home. … Continue reading Bringing Mum Home: Emotions and Preparations
Mum’s Groundhog Day
Picture this. You wake up in a strange place. You don’t recognise the room, you don’t know where you are, or even what country you’re in. Gradually you notice familiar objects: your dressing gown, photos of family and ornaments. You wonder how you got here. You try the door to the garden, it is locked. … Continue reading Mum’s Groundhog Day
Choosing a Care Home
Choosing a care home for a family member living with dementia, may be the most important decision you ever make on their behalf. Of course if they have the capacity to make the decision, your role might be to support them. Either way, the more informed you are the better. The choice will have huge … Continue reading Choosing a Care Home
