On the brink of a change

Edna is definitely being discharged early next week - maybe even on Monday. And she is SO pleased. She was in a very good mood today when I visited her. She evne apologized to me for being grumpy at times. Even her consultant is her friend today - and he was public enemy number 1 at one point.

I am cautiously optimistic. She is having a key safe fitted - with the agreement of the Foster's wardens - so that her carer's (in the plural) can get in easily. It will also mean I can get in easily as well. What I don;t know yet is what the carer's will be doing. I am hoping they will be qualified to manage her medication.

Edna herself seems quite happy with the level of support.. She certainly hasn't asked what they will be doing and tried to tell me she doesn't need help. We did have a chat earlier in the week when she gave me the impression she had realised she couldn't cope without more help.

She is going to have the meals on wheels again. But the dementia took over again when she was discussing how she need at least 50.00 to retsock her flat woth cleaning stuff and food. She was talking about bacon, eggs, a pound og tomatoes, spanish onions. I need to know what the carers will be doing before I try to plan what food she needs in. She wouldn't be cooking bacn and egss thats for sure.

The dementia was much in evidence today. The woman in the next bed is called Diane Stokes - but Edna insists it is really Doris Pilkington = except she doesn't want to be called Doris she wanst to be called Elizabeth. I lost track of a lot of what she was saying it got so involved - and was so obviously part of her perosnal world. But those sorts of delusions are harmless - and I just igmore them now. I have learned to distract her with some other topic.

I really don't know how much her cognition is impaired. The hospital clearly feel she is able to give consent on her own behalf becasue they spoke to her not me about her discharge. However they have clearly taken my concerns seriosuly becasue they would seem to be providing a comprehensive care package. I don't know if she will have to pay for the care or not.Some dementia patients can get free care due to their condition regardless of their financial position. I will doubtless learn more on Monday when I am sure the social worker and I will manage to talk. We kept missing today.

I also need to find out how her condition will be monitored. I have no doubt the wardens will be quick enough to contact me if they have concerns. I obviosuly need to visit her regularly. Visiting after work is the obvious time as I finish at 3.30. I envisaged going to Fosters straight from work on a regular basis - its one reason why I retired. What remains to be seen is how much she will NEED me to visit as opposed to WANT me to visit.

Time alone will tell