After our hospital excitement the week before last I took both Mum and Dad to their GP; Mum because the hospital told me to in order to get her an MRI scan and Dad because his breathing was worse than it’s ever been.

Most of that is a whole other post, but as a result of the visit, the GP referred us to a Social Prescriber (who knew that was a job title?)  and a group called Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services.  Within a week both had contacted me and gave me a lot of information  – which I’ll pop on a Muddled Life Practical Tip post and pop it on the resources page as once again, I’d never have found the information on my own as I didn’t know it was there to find 🙄

So anyway, as a result of all that, it’s clear that there are resources available…if you’re open to using them.  And we know that Mum is very, very unlikely to agree to engage with any of them at the moment (because she is the most stubborn person I know and also because she still seems pretty convinced that there is no part of her that needs support), but they would really help to stimulate her brain, create social connections and give dad some respite.

Both the lovely ladies who called agreed that maybe the first step was to have a carer come to visit mum each week under the guise of ‘a friend’ and rather than doing anything personal, take Mum for a walk or a coffee and just get to know her.  Later on that person could help with more and we could then perhaps integrate with a memory cafe or a day centre.

I brought it up with Mum.  I didn’t want to use the word ‘carer’ or make it sound like anything official, so I suggested we find another Pog to go for walks with. I think it’s safe to say right now Mum 1) does not want an additional Pog and 2) didn’t seem to quite grasp the concept… (‘where would I put them afterwards?! 🤦🏼‍♀️ )

You can see for yourself on this weeks Tuesday TV.  And as you’ll also see, after my rub-a-dub-dubbing, maybe I should just suggest getting a Pog in who knows how to dry hair a bit better than me! In fact, maybe I should suggest an additional Sister 1 or Sister 2 – maybe that’s what she is hanging out for 🙂