Watty's Awakening

Watty1

PennysIntoPounds said:

Good for you.
Battling a terrifying bucket, flinging 'are there industry standards' around, there's no stopping our Watty 

That did make me laugh.  thank you xx

Watty1

Cherryfudge said:

How is the VNM's mother, by the way?

She is still much the same. Getting weaker now, and has a cough which is troubling and the doctor will see her on the regular nursing home visit this week.  She has become very institutionalised very quickly, wants to go out a lot which is sad because neither of us have a vehicle she can go out in o/wise she could go for a drive around the area to look at the Christmas lights but when told that is not an option she just goes back to watching TV.  In nicer weather the VNM wraps her up and takes her to the garden where she can at least enjoy a real cigarette. 

The VNM visits every other day at least and her granddaughter visits a couple of times a week plus a couple of others pop in so I think she has visitors but she no longer seems to remember they have been.  I suggested taking WattyDog to visit but the VNM was horrified at the thought of WattyDog rampaging through the nursing home and suggested we might all be banned from visiting.   WattyDog and I were taken aback by that  but have swiftly moved on. The offer was made genuinely.

I am surprised she is still with us, I think everyone is to be honest.   She certainly is one tough lady.  The home asked the VNM to come up with "a plan" but he like I am slightly baffled by that. I suggested next time they call he ask if it is ok to put them on speaker phone and I will ask some questions of them as he is too overwhelmed to ask much.

badmemory

My mother became institutionalised very quickly too. She had been running her life, paying her bills, doing her own shopping with only vague signs of any problems.  Then she fell & broke her hip.  After 2 weeks in hospital she couldn't remember how to make a cup of tea & they were adamant that she hadn't had a stroke, which was our first thought.

It certainly makes you think.

WelshmansDaughter

Do they mean a care plan or something else? If so, they usually would sit down with you to discuss it. 

Suffolk_lass

WelshmansDaughter said:

Do they mean a care plan or something else? If so, they usually would sit down with you to discuss it. 

Or if the home is offering rehabilitation/respite care, she may have been given one of those places. If that were the case, after 6-8 weeks they want you to make alternative provision; ie a plan for moving her on to the next stage. If so, it would be one of:

• take her home where a family member takes over, 
• arrange home carers (social care provision)
• permanent place in a care home (which could potentially be the same place, but it depends who/how the current provision is being funded)

With my MiL my SiL (a doctor of law) wrote to the MP and copied in the LA, home, and the MP's wife, who was on the Board of Trustees of the local health authority. Miraculously, she was given a fully funded place at the same home she was in, within four days. The face my SiL was a Dr of Law specialising in Industrial Relations (worked for a Union) did not need mentioning.

Alternatively it could be an end of life pathway plan. When MiL was in hospital I suggested my SiL mention to the medical team that MiL had a do not resuscitate agreement and they could stop holding her down to try and get lines into her arms. She reported back that they looked so relieved when she reminded them. Goodness knows how the admin works but appalling does not come close.

Well done Watty, you're doing brilliantly, by the way!

skint_spice

Having worked in nursing homes dogs were always welcome! It usually took people far longer than usual to leave as just about all the residents would want a cuddle or pet.

badmemory

When I have seen dogs in care homes they always seem to be well received.  The dogs also seem to know, if you see what I mean & go for the look at me aren't I cute look rather than the I am the boss.  Just check no-one is actually scared of dogs.

daisy_1571

We took the boy in to see mil.  She loved him and remembered him weeks after she lost who precisely i was (knew I was a nice person in her life but no idea of my name or relationship to her).  Saddest day was when we arrived and he nuzzled her hand and she completely ignored him.  I also remember one lady touching his head and, for lack of something else to say, I said oh you must like dogs.  The answer I got as she continued touching him?  "NO" 

However it definitely depends on the animal lol.  Only you know if wattydog would enjoy the visit 🐕 

Watty1

WattyDog thanks you for your belief in him as a suitable visitor to a nursing home. He gets bored very quickly and doesn't see the point in making friends unless they are offering treats or have a stick or ball but he is so large he can be patted easily which will be an advantage of sorts.

I think the plan is end of life. @badmemory that was a very helpful comment about your mum.  i have seen how quickly she has gone down hill and been shocked.  I am sad you went through that with your mum.

Watty1

Back to renovation after a short rest.    Have purchased the fencing materials to repair the post and rail fencing (£966.56) and a chap who has quoted over the phone is coming to look at the weekend and can start at the end of next week.  Will be such a relief to have the fencing sorted, and, hopefully, have someone who actually turns up!   If he doesn't work out the unreliable chap I have used in the past says he can do the work between Christmas and New Year but he is great at making arrangements and then not turning up which is why I've looked for someone else

The lack of curtains downstairs is a bit of an issue for two windows at the front. I don't really like using the room on these dark evenings with the windows bare but I'm still haven't found exactly what I want there as I know one window requires a blind and one curtain.   I need to go shopping and actually look at fabrics as swatches are not really the same and I can only order a few at a time. 

A rummage around a few websites and I have bought a pair of curtains for £15 and a tension rod which I will use at the blind window until the blind is sorted (Downstairs is open plan so I want it to match the kitchen blinds which are yet to be purchased).   Plan is to hang something over the tension rod for now.   I'm not keen on the colour of the curtains but for £15 inc delivery they were a bargain and they look OK and will do until the new year when there is money in the pot for curtains and blinds downstairs.