>> I had a job that involved visiting care homes, my overriding memories were of locked
>> doors, the smell of boiling cabbage and stale urine.
I had a similar responsibility and similar experiences and later some personal experience.
In late 2008 I had a fortnight's sick leave with an anxiety related complaint. At the time my Mother out Law, with a diagnosis of dementia - probably Alzheimer's, was living independently in a vaguely supported flat half a mile away.
Whilst at home it was evident that she was walking down to our house several times a day. Usually I'd respond, entertain her with tea and chat and either drive or walk her home. Other times I'd let her ring the bell/knock and walk home again as, after all, we were both supposed to be at work.
Either way she'd often be back inside two hours.
On one visit to check on her I caught her washing the plugged in base for her cordless kettle under the tap. She was also impinging on other residents locking herself out of her flat after going to the communal (visitors) toilet rather than her own bathroom. She was getting to the end of being, in any sense, independent.
A tour of Care and Nursing homes was revealing. A lot refused to take somebody physically fit with Dementia. Others smelled of wee or poo and/or were too like prisons. Mercifully one of the places that declined her on physical health grounds mention a place in Silverstone. She was well cared for and happily confused there until she died.
Dying in Silverstone on Grand Prix day 2013 added its own fun and games and provided a family joke that endures.
>> I just hope I'll never end up in one where I can't even go to
>> a pub for an occasional pint.
That's a difficult one:
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/mental-capacity-act-2005/deprivation-of-liberty/
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Thu 25 Mar 21 at 22:51
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