Benefits

I had a letter from DWP yesterday and they have agreed that Edna is entitled to the the fullcarers allowance. I am surprised to put it mildly. They also said they hadn't been told about her hospital stay and that she may have been overpaid as a result. But they will write directly to her about that.

I am anxious about how she will rract toboth these peices of news. I am also now anvxious to speak to the social workeres who tried tp talk to me on Friday but never rang me back.

I am off work tomorrow to help Steve with the final push on his house. I wil contact Domcare and see if they can give me the number of the social workers so Ic an ring them. Whatever they wanted it couldnt have been that important - but if they want to talk to me I certainly want to talk to them. I feel so ignorant about these things. I want her to have everything she is entitled to but I dont my way through this maze. I am sure the scoial workers could help with that

I am dreading my visit tonight already. I always do unless I have a specific purpose that I know Edna can't argue with. The sad truth is I dont really know her at all - because she never really lets anyone get close to her. She doesn't really trust anyone - even me. She might trust Steve rather more - but I think even that would vanish if he was trying to do the same sort of things fpr her that I am. Is that just her personality or is it the disease. I have no idea but it makes no difference. I still have to deal with her as I find her.

I think I need to meditate and do what I can to make myself as receptive as possible just before I go into see her - and that means in the car before I go in. Not ideal but I have no doubt me being calm is a much better start than me being uptight. I am also sure that listening properly is probably the key to getting her to hear me properly.

Communication is bound to be a problem with a dementia sufferer. I need to get those lines going now while she still has her cognitive functions intact. Then I should be able to keep them open easier as her cognitive functions get worse. At least that is the theory.

I am probably talking a load of drivel but it makes sense to me. It measn I have a plan and that always makes me feel better about things.