Yesterday it was very hot here and I had hoped to spend some time outside. Pigs might fly! I spent some time sorting out the people who go to see Mum, one had a migraine yesterday ( a frequent occurrence ) she had also made other plans for the day of her next visit as it is her birthday; the other wanted to change the day she visited Mum ( she also changed days late last year). All these things take time to organise.
George was pretty good first thing but he had three visitors - two nurses and a case manager. Each of these visits lasted well over an hour and necessitated both George and I being present. Each time they would also want to see how George could manage with doing things like walking.
After the last visit at about 4 p.m. we needed to get some groceries. After we got back home there was a noticeable change in George. He really had little idea of what was going on and his voice even changed. I felt that he was extremely tired so quickly got his tea ready and then got him into bed with a favourite DVD on. He was out like a light and much better this morning after a good sleep.
Showing posts with label needs assessment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label needs assessment. Show all posts
Monday, January 5, 2015
Friday, June 27, 2014
Busy week
This last week has been busy and I am feeling rather behind with things and tired. This is something caregivers regularly face and it is just part of it although others may think we are 'lazy'. Don't worry about how others view it a caregiver can only do their best to support their loved ones.
On Monday I had meetings at my mother's home regarding their wish to move her to another facility. As the first meeting was at 9.30 I had to get George's caregiver to come an hour early so we could get there in time. This meant that I had to get him up earlier and give him breakfast etc and have everything ready for the caregiver. I took him with me to the home as it was going to be a long morning. I did not want to be distracted by worrying about how he was.
The first meeting was arranged for my sister and the staff at the home. This was so they could clarify to her the reasoning behind this move. I had told our family members what I had been told but was unable to justify their reasoning and answer their questions so felt it was better that she got it from them. The next meeting was with a woman from the hospital board who assesses mum to see what is going to happen. She had wanted to come the week before but as my sister was in NZ and only in Christchurch that Monday they changed things around to accommodate her being able to attend which was great. Several things that I certainly was unaware of before all this: An EPA can be superseded by the hospital board. If they want to do something that the family does not want they are able to. An assessment is done through notes and not necessarily from people who see the person a lot. The doctor who sees mum for about 5 mins every 3 months had written incorrect statements relating to her abilities at this point but only seeing her for such a little time makes it impossible for him to know. The two staff members who were there; one has only been at the home for a couple of months and had 'cared' for mum one morning, the other used to have a lot to do with mum (over a year ago) but has been working in another part of the home since then. I am not sure how valid anything they could say would be. I see mum twice each week but was not asked about anything. My sister spoke about how she found mum when she came over to see her and showed videos and photos of mum. The person from the hospital board knew that the wishes of the family were for her to stay where she was and that is what is happening. It was nice that there were three people there to voice Mum's wishes; my sister, the Patient Advocate and me.
On Tuesday I took George to Harakeke club and then my sister and her husband to the airport before teaching a small boy with his reading. It was lovely to catch up with my sister while she was here. She spent a lot of time going to see mum which meant that there were two visits I didn't need to do while she was here.
On Wednesday I spent about 3 hours with the accountant going over mum's George's and my books for the financial year and then I had to get more continence pants for him.
Thursday I dropped George at Harakeke and went to have coffee with some women I used to work with which was lovely.
On Friday we visit a friend who is unable to walk properly at the moment due to spinal problems and he therefore stays home by himself during the day. We go to chat and keep his mind off the pain etc. His wife is one who visits Mum each week so I feel that in some ways this pays her back and also George and the husband enjoy chatting. That afternoon I took George to East side Alzheimer's group. All these things he does is for socialisation which helps with the Alzheimer's. Friday morning I need to change the bed as George had wet it.
Today I saw Mum this morning. I dress George at the weekends. I leave George at home with a DVD on and morning tea on the bench and then get him lunch as soon as I get in. Then I get on with washing and other things here.
I am now putting George's onsie on back the front to try to stop him getting out of it during the night (last four nights) so far success....
I have managed to get a small amount of gardening done and luckily the lawns were done not long ago and don't need to be done again yet.
On Monday I had meetings at my mother's home regarding their wish to move her to another facility. As the first meeting was at 9.30 I had to get George's caregiver to come an hour early so we could get there in time. This meant that I had to get him up earlier and give him breakfast etc and have everything ready for the caregiver. I took him with me to the home as it was going to be a long morning. I did not want to be distracted by worrying about how he was.
The first meeting was arranged for my sister and the staff at the home. This was so they could clarify to her the reasoning behind this move. I had told our family members what I had been told but was unable to justify their reasoning and answer their questions so felt it was better that she got it from them. The next meeting was with a woman from the hospital board who assesses mum to see what is going to happen. She had wanted to come the week before but as my sister was in NZ and only in Christchurch that Monday they changed things around to accommodate her being able to attend which was great. Several things that I certainly was unaware of before all this: An EPA can be superseded by the hospital board. If they want to do something that the family does not want they are able to. An assessment is done through notes and not necessarily from people who see the person a lot. The doctor who sees mum for about 5 mins every 3 months had written incorrect statements relating to her abilities at this point but only seeing her for such a little time makes it impossible for him to know. The two staff members who were there; one has only been at the home for a couple of months and had 'cared' for mum one morning, the other used to have a lot to do with mum (over a year ago) but has been working in another part of the home since then. I am not sure how valid anything they could say would be. I see mum twice each week but was not asked about anything. My sister spoke about how she found mum when she came over to see her and showed videos and photos of mum. The person from the hospital board knew that the wishes of the family were for her to stay where she was and that is what is happening. It was nice that there were three people there to voice Mum's wishes; my sister, the Patient Advocate and me.
On Tuesday I took George to Harakeke club and then my sister and her husband to the airport before teaching a small boy with his reading. It was lovely to catch up with my sister while she was here. She spent a lot of time going to see mum which meant that there were two visits I didn't need to do while she was here.
On Wednesday I spent about 3 hours with the accountant going over mum's George's and my books for the financial year and then I had to get more continence pants for him.
Thursday I dropped George at Harakeke and went to have coffee with some women I used to work with which was lovely.
On Friday we visit a friend who is unable to walk properly at the moment due to spinal problems and he therefore stays home by himself during the day. We go to chat and keep his mind off the pain etc. His wife is one who visits Mum each week so I feel that in some ways this pays her back and also George and the husband enjoy chatting. That afternoon I took George to East side Alzheimer's group. All these things he does is for socialisation which helps with the Alzheimer's. Friday morning I need to change the bed as George had wet it.
Today I saw Mum this morning. I dress George at the weekends. I leave George at home with a DVD on and morning tea on the bench and then get him lunch as soon as I get in. Then I get on with washing and other things here.
I am now putting George's onsie on back the front to try to stop him getting out of it during the night (last four nights) so far success....
I have managed to get a small amount of gardening done and luckily the lawns were done not long ago and don't need to be done again yet.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Busy week
After the good day on Monday George has been quite needy for the rest of the week. On Tuesday he had a 'dizzy spell' so I had to leave him home instead of going to Harakeke as I had another appointment. We had a doctor's appointment later in the day so we are testing his blood to see if anything is wrong.
Last night he managed to take the onesie off (two pins tonight!) resulting in him putting on and wetting 4 more pairs of trousers. Luckily the bed wasn't wet however my first task this morning was the washing. He got up at about 4 this morning. This is something that can be pretty hard to deal with.
Today I have taken him to go to see a friend for the morning. He loves to socialise...
Last night he managed to take the onesie off (two pins tonight!) resulting in him putting on and wetting 4 more pairs of trousers. Luckily the bed wasn't wet however my first task this morning was the washing. He got up at about 4 this morning. This is something that can be pretty hard to deal with.
Today I have taken him to go to see a friend for the morning. He loves to socialise...
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Assessment
A person came from PMH to assess George. Wouldn't you know it he was having a good day. He was charming and articulate. When she asked to see him walking he was walking really well!! Couldn't believe it. She thinks he is nearly at the dementia unit stage but at present she thinks he will be catered for at an ordinary rest home. As she said he is interesting and chatty socially and will be a favourite with staff for these reasons. He is going to Beckenham Courts soon so they will let us know when they can no longer cope.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Assessment
A woman came to assess George yesterday. She is from Health care who organise various things to enable people to stay in their homes as long as possible.
She told George he needed to clean his teeth and that he had missed parts when shaving - he was pretty uptight about her as he has always been very fascidious in his personal care and this has been a difficult one for him now.
She obviously doesn't know about how to treat those with dementia and not to sweat the small things...
She told George he needed to clean his teeth and that he had missed parts when shaving - he was pretty uptight about her as he has always been very fascidious in his personal care and this has been a difficult one for him now.
She obviously doesn't know about how to treat those with dementia and not to sweat the small things...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Services
We had a physio here yesterday to look at the home environment to see if she could ensure safety and independence for George. She was quite impressed with what is here in terms of rails etc. She did suggest a walking frame to George but he was horrified and really he is nowhere near that point. She is sending him out a walking stick. She also had him stand up in various poses. She is sending out sometime who is going to show George a series of exercises to do to keep himself mobile. Guess who will have to ensure that he does the exercises daily?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Visitors and needs assessment
My sister and her husband are visiting for four days. They went to visit mum yesterday and took her out so she was very thrilled to see them. They have gone on the TransAlpine train trip to Greymouth today. It is great for Mum to know that the family are all seeing her regularly so she feels loved by the family. Before she developed Alzheimer's she said to me that she can't have been a good mother if the family haven't come to see her so now she knows that she has been and can feel good about that which is important for her.
George had a person come out to the house for a needs assessment today. This means that I can access respite care when I need to. She is also trying to get him into a weekly club so that he can have social interaction. In addition she has put his name down so that someone can come and be a 'friend' and go for walks etc with him which is fantastic.
George had a person come out to the house for a needs assessment today. This means that I can access respite care when I need to. She is also trying to get him into a weekly club so that he can have social interaction. In addition she has put his name down so that someone can come and be a 'friend' and go for walks etc with him which is fantastic.
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