The burglar left a sandwich...

[rattfan]

I'm slowly getting better at dealing with the huge gaps in M's reasoning ability. I'm finding it's still sometimes difficult to get my head around that, when one is used to being able to communicate on a certain level, to find that that doesn't work any more. Especially when it's the person who used to win arguments with, "Because I said so!"

On Thursday I assisted M to get to the hairdresser - who visits the facility and sets up downstairs - and while she was in there, I went and did some stuff. Plant watering, rubbish removal and making M a sandwich for later. That sandwich sent M into a spin, apparently, because she didn't connect it with me having been present, and instead believed that "someone" had been in her place. So Shine Community Care, after she rang them, rang me in some bewilderment, but not too much, because they deal with quite a few cognitively challenged old folks. I'd already cancelled Shine for the day, since I was going to be there. They just wanted to be sure it wasn't due to something medical, like an infection.

I did tell M I was going to make a sandwich, but this information was lost in the mists of the last hour or so.

M also went into another "somebody's stealing from me" episode today, which I halted by finding the nightgown in her laundry basket. I also broke the news to her that NOBODY wants her nightgowns. This was, apparently, news. Won't help next time, though. I've found the only thing that temporarily stops it is finding the item.

I would be pulling my hair out but I kind of want to keep the rest of it.

Carers WA is pushing for a Carers Card, which would give WA's 320,000-odd unpaid carers the same discounts as the Seniors Card. That would really help!  For context, I think the state's total population is up around 3 million.

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Note:  For the benefit of anyone new reading my journal, M is my 95 year old mother, whose carer I am.

Comments

[yourivy]

Oof, it must be difficult dealing with a parent's cognitive abilities deteriorating (did I spell that right?) slowly but surely. I am glad that my parents are both still very fit - though to be fair, they're still quite a bit younger than your mum.

I send you a lot of strength!

[rattfan]

Yes, you spelt it correctly!

My mum was doing pretty well until she hit her late 80s, so assuming your parents are in good health, they should do well for quite a few years. And everyone is different. I know of people in their 90s who do much better than my mum has.

Thanks for the good wishes.

[yourivy]

Yay!
That's comforting to hear, thank you.
And you're very welcome :)

[lapsa]

It's very sad to read this. I remember my grandmother. She didn't recognize her daughters, she thought she was living in a strange house, but she recognized me.