Where does the time go?

I don't have the answer to that question.

I thought that I would have more time now but it is not working out that way.

I go to see George most days and it is good if I am there for some of the lunch time. This is when the major meal of the day is served. George can no longer use cutlery properly. I ensure that all his vegetables are cut up, the carers do cut up the meat but he needs everything cut up so it is left. I also need to tell him how much he likes the various meals, then he will eat the meal quite happily. Unfortunately the carers can't do all that one on one for each person so often many do not eat enough.

George's home caters for rest home level and dementia but not hospital level care. A fall often results in a stay in hospital followed by a move to another home catering for hospital level care. It is something I need to think about for the future.

Last weekend George's youngest son visited for a couple of hours on the Sunday. He had not seen George for over 18 months. George was having a good day as he had slept in that morning. They had a good time looking at old movies about the family.

This weekend his eldest son is visiting for a few days which is great. With the two of us we can take him out. With his poor mobility it is easier with two of us and the risk of a fall is reduced.

The following weekend I am going away to visit my grandchildren. They have missed out on my visits and it is important that I get to see them. We are in contact via Instagram and regular phone calls but it is not the same.

So hard when you are pulled in so many directions. It is especially hard when families live so far apart.

Incontinence

Just had a ring from the hospital and the doctors have just seen George and they are discharging him today. I said if they could bring him to the front in half an hour BUT

They have to do some paperwork first which could take some time!

The nurse then said he thought I should come in and see him so he could show me how to put incontinence pads on George as he was now incontinent. I explained to him that I was way past that and that he wears full incontinence pants! As I said to him I cannot park and get George to walk to the car as there is presently nowhere close to park but you can drive to the main entrance to quickly pick them up.

Observation

At this stage George is now going to stay in hospital for another night for observation.

He is now able to stand without others holding him up which is a great improvement. They do not know what caused the turn yesterday but it looks like the symptoms have now gone. I am very aware that he has mixed dementia and part of this is vascular dementia which is is caused through mini strokes. I have never niticed him having one of these but he must have been having these for some years. They checked him out yesterday for this but saw no signs of this, fingers crossed. Those with mixed dementia often have a stroke or heart attack unlike those with solely Alzheimer's dementia.

Waiting

I am still waiting for the hospital!!

I rang early this morning and they told me he would be ready to go when the doctor had seen him and someone would ring me.

An occupational therapist rang to discuss handles etc in the flat for him to use. She also told me someone would ring later in the morning. He is able to stand on his own so that is the main thing.

It is now 1 o'clock and I have been waiting all day!!