The last several days on the parent front have been challenging and fun to say the least. The super at my parents bldg. called to tell me that my mom was wandering more than I thought and that the police were called by another tenant who was worried about her. I do have to say that having aging parents has shown me various sides of people. Some have distanced themselves while others - sometimes complete strangers have moved in to lend a helping hand with rides, meals, and companionship. Yesterday my father underwent a Geriatric Assessment. He passed with flying colours - only missed 5 questions and of those 5, I missed 4 of them. The part he didnt do well with involved the nurse giving my father 5 words: face, velour, daisy, church, red (wow I just got them all just now). Then for the next 15 minutes gave him question after question - then asked him what the five words were she gave him 15 minutes ago. I was so relieved that my dad was fine and that he shows no signs of dementia. The nurse was shocked that since CCACs involvement in April that not one service has been put into place - despite the assessments by an OT, two geriatric nurses and two social workers. Then the place that will offer the most services - the Alzheimers society - will now need to send their own people out to do an assessment because they need their own info. The OT came today and she has by far been my favourite. She talks to my parents and makes sure that they are included in every conversation. She asked to see my mom get in and out of the tub. (A few months ago she came to watch my mother shower so that she could assess for safety). My mom who is the most service resistant person just said so do I have to take my shower now? and then proceeded to get undressed. I wish so much that instead of 6 people doing the same thing without sharing info - that we could just have her. She said she put a referral in for a Personal Support Worker for my mother two months ago. She must have gotten on the phone and gave someone hell - because by the time I got home there was a call to set up a time for a PSW. Personally I have been pretty teary about it all over the last week. My great bosses at Breathe found another teacher to teach for me on Tuesday nights so that I could attend a daughters support group at the Alzheimers society. I called and they are on hiatus for the summer :-(. That said a social worker called me today and next week I am meeting with a support worker in my home to help me manage my emotions. Completing a phone intake was a little strange - given that I do intakes for my practice every day. I have to say Im really looking forward to having my own social worker who is going to come to my home and look after me. My mom just called. She was looking for the three babies. I think she meant my brothers and I. I told her I had them and that they were safe. I guess shed been after my dad all night about the babies. Alzheimers is an awful illness. That said - I so enjoy most of my time with my mother. If youve read this far thank you very much. Venting on this thing is so helpful.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 02:31:24 +0000
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