(no subject)

[pensnest]

Well.

Wednesday last week was a bit worrying. (nb as you read that, remember that I am British.)

FIL wandered into our part of the house after lunch very confused and worried that he had missed his doctor's appointment. He hadn't, because the appointment was not until Thursday. He then wandered back a couple of times and it became very clear that he had absolutely no idea what time of day it was—we kept trying to orient him but it didn't stick. At one point he said he had forgotten to go to bed. I was worried enough to call NHS 111 for advice, though the person I spoke to got fixated on the possibility of a diabetic episode, which I don't *think* it was. I did my best to check whether he had had anything to eat, and he told a plausible story about what he had had for breakfast and for lunch, but I made him a cheese sandwich anyway and made sure he ate it.

We thought perhaps it would be best not to leave him to his own devices all day in future, so established that I would make lunch every day, hoping that would help keep him oriented, and would also get him back into intelligent conversation mode, which he probably missed out on while in hospital. He is mentally sharper when he has people to talk to. Also, put his pills out into a day-by-day box, which he'd never used before—previously he just had pills to take in the evening, and kept them by his place on his dinner table. Beast is also checking in the mornings that (a) his dad is okay and (b) his dad has had his new, post-stroke, morning pills.

Thursday was the GP visit, which was okay, then after lunch the occupational therapist came, and among other things advised that FIL should get back into his usual routine as quickly as possible, so he should make his own lunch. So that didn't last long (and I have three of everything in the fridge, sigh.) We've also set him up with a personal alarm button, which actually got sorted out today, nice and quick, so that if he falls or otherwise needs help, he can just press the button. Now we just have to nag him into wearing it… (My grandma had one, and it sat in the bowl next to the phone every day. When she actually did have a fall and couldn't get up, she was not wearing it. Of course.)

I'm still not sure FIL always knows what time of day it is, but the complete time dislocation doesn't seem to have happened again since, and doesn't matter too much provided he eats something at regular intervals. He has been setting up the cooking apparatus in his new greenhouse, so presumably he uses them.



I had an all-day coaching session with my chorus on Saturday, very enjoyable and surprisingly tiring. Lots of rhythm work, including a human percussion section, and lots of pinching the music's bottom. (You had to be there.) Afterwards we went to the local café that's run by prisoners and had an excellent Afternoon Tea for a most reasonable price*. And sang a bit, just for the fun of singing, which is a really lovely thing to do.

And today I ordered a pair of black patent shoes for performances, and bought a pair of bronze sandals for me. I haven't spent an entire morning shopping in I don't know how long (the Game and Country Show doesn't count!!!), but it was quite satisfying. And most of the stuff I bought was mere necessity.


* but with fruit in the scones, so I know nopseud would not approve.

Comments

[chalcopyrite]

as you read that, remember that I am British Oh dear. ::hugs:: to all involved. (Well, not your FIL as I don't know him that well, but certainly to you and Beast. Aging relatives are hard.)

I shall not ask why there is cooking apparatus in the greenhouse, as I suspect you don't want to know either.

[pensnest]

Oh, this is a new greenhouse attached to the front of the building (under the verandah roof) for the express purpose of allowing him to do his cooking outside without being blasted by the wind and rain.

I can't even.

[dine]

I hope that FIL continues to remain more oriented, and can avoid more problems!

[pensnest]

He does seem better over the past few days, though he is definitely finding it a challenge to take his pills three times a day. I guess he has never in his life had to do so...

[fleurrochard]

*hugs*

[pensnest]

Thank you!

[turps]

That would be worrying, hopefully, the alarm takes a little of that worry away.

I was so glad nanna had an alarm. Though, while she always wore it, she wouldn't actually use it. Once she even had a fall and crawled to the phone instead of pressing the button on her wrist. So, nag away about the wearing, and using.

[pensnest]

Yeah, my grandma wouldn't even wear hers. When eventually she did fall down in the back garden she had to shout until someone heard her and came to help. Sigh.

I bet we'll be struggling to keep that thing on FIL's wrist.

[vae]

That is definitely worrying. Did the GP have anything useful to say about the disorientation?

[pensnest]

I'm... actually not sure! But he has been much more with-it ever since Wednesday, and getting back into his routine will almost certainly help, too.

[turlough]

Sending ALL the good thoughts to your FIL and many, many hugs to you and Beast!

[spikedluv]

I thought you had a good idea about making him lunch and ensuring that he had someone to talk to. Would creating a new routine be so bad? Good luck to all of you!