| ||
| ||
I had to go up to Oxfordshire to one of our care homes today. Just for a visit and a look around.
As care homes go, ours are good, and the one today was a really fab place. It's modern, clean, bright and most importantly, it doesn't smell. The staff are lovely and the manager is in the old school matron style, so she takes no shit from anyone.
There are 10 dementia beds, but a lot of the residents have some form of dementia - in fact that's the cruelest part; when you have dementia but you're lucid enough to know it. I've been in dementia units before, and I'll be honest, the first time I was scared. I really didn't know what to expect, which is silly really. I've had a bit of training about it, and to be able to care for someone with dementia, well you must have infinite patience, and I have nothing but admiration for people who do it.
I met a lady who had had an amazing life (her name is Alix Stone, google her). We saw her "life book", a book which might help her recall who she is (how sad is that, truly). She'd been a costume designer for the RSC in the 1950s, and had known Alec Guinness, and actors like him. She still speaks fluent German, and said something to the home manager, who didn't understand. I took a stab at translating (she said she forgets a lot) and she grinned and pointed and said "You see, she knows". I felt could have made a friend if she'd be able to remember me 5 minutes later, which of course she didn't.
It's a hideously cruel thing to happen to someone, and it scares me shitless. | ||
| Post Comment |
| |||
| My Dad had dementia for 6 years before he died.
It was heartbreaking to see it happening to someone who had, up until then, had a fine intellect and quick wits. For a long time he could recall events from years ago but not remember pretty much anyone he'd met within about 5 years. He get so damn frustrated with himself, as hee knew he should be able to recall stuff that he couldn't. I think I'd want someone to shoot me if it happened to me. | |||
| Posted by AB22 | |||
| |||
| My Gran died this year, she'd had Alzheimers for years and that was what finally did for her - it's a truly grim way to go, she'd stopped being my Nana years ago and I'd managed to accept that and almost cut her out of my mind; the rest of the family couldn't manage that, probably because they're not as cold or as cowardly as me, and she was in various different homes until she finally ended up hospitalised
The staff at Sunderland General were magnificent with her, but at the end she was a 85 year old baby - with no lucid moments at all, heartbreaking stuff I'd defintely go for the bullet option if I went that way | |||
| Posted by shoutybearhead | |||
| |||
| They're getting closer all the time apparently.
My Nanna died with it - towards the end she just wasn't with it at all. She knew my mum and her sisters, but anyone else - grandchildren, great grandchildren were just people to smile at. At her funeral there were donations to the Alzheimers society in lieu of flowers. | |||
| Posted by harrygilwood | |||
| |||
| I don't know exactly if it's a form of demetia or just trauma from having so many strokes and losing his sight but mostly he hasn't a clue where he is or what's going on. Occasionally he does have moments when he realises that he's stuck in bed wearing a nappy and just sobs his heart out - it's truly terrible.
I was talking to someone on Tuesday who does research into Alzheimers and the causes of it and she said they're not really any further forward in finding out anything about it but they have identified further studies that need to be done. | |||
| Posted by Pebbles | |||
| |||
| FYI My mother knew her in the 60s and has just died. She has left her some Russian Designers papers and I want to get them to her. Can you help? Thanks for the blog about your life - interesting/amusing thoughts. Best Wishes. Reply to clearerview@waitrose.com . | |||
| Posted by Bernard Honey | |||
| Entry 12 of 59 |
| Last Page | Next Page |
| Sign up for a free weblog HERE |