"Elsie seems a bit Quack Quack Quack"

Quick visit to the hospital today, included Melissa trying to teach Dodo 'Stone, Paper, Scissors'......

Back in Sandwell

Am sure most of you have heard, but the Dodemeister is back in Sandwell. After another bad night and another minor fall we decided on Sat pm to call an ambulance. Turns out she has a urine infection which is why she had been very confused again (don't understand the link but apparently UTI's create confusion in the elderly!)

So we felt a little better that we had done the right thing at least, as Dodo had not wanted to go into hosipital. Off to see her in a bit. 11th trip to Smethwick in 10 days!

Pete Tong

All going a bit Pete Tong at the mo.....

Dodo doesn't seem able to sleep through the night and so is keeping Elsie up all night. Rightly, Elsie called Piper out last night after Dodo had gone downstairs on her own - she had already called piper out earlier that day after Dodo slipped (gently) to the floor while getting on the commode.

Off to see Elsie again today ; we'll call social services I think and as them for some help - maybe even a couple of evenings of respite as this isn't going anywhere at the mo. We ought to try Dodo on some form of sleeping tablet but don't suppose we'll get that looked at 'til Monday now.

d'oh. Only alternative is getting Dodo to agree she needs to be in a care home....two chances of that!

A students life for me........

Quick update, Sara has started her diploma in Occ Health, so Daddy is working in Brum this week doing school run etc. Only forgotten one thing this week so far (beavers) but managed to whizz him in a little late. Parents evening tonight so lots to remember.

Fitting in a few trips to the Dode's. They seemed okay yesterday, will take a while to convince Elsie that this will work - not sure I'm convinced but we have to give it a go.

We're slowing down

Not so many posts going on these days.....

Thought I'd drop a quick hello from Aberdeen. We are running a large workshop which seems to be going okay. Surprisingly hard work as I need to be 'up' all day and keep having to make rallying speeches. Quite fun, but 5 days of it is a bit much!

Mum has a meeting with the social worker today. Looking more likely that we should try Dodo back at home with a full suite of home help. She seems to have settled down mentally and whilst clearly more tired generally and a little slower, we have been able to have proper conversations for the last few visits, which is great. Shame her hearing is so bad as it makes it all a little difficult.

We'll know more later today!

Kitchens and Kororinpa

Busy weekend again. Started off with much conversation at 165 about the decision making skills of Sandwell council. Despite everyone concerned, i.e. doctors, nurses and social workers, being quite clear that Dodo needs a care home the budget holders are still saying that she needs to try care in the community, i.e. go home. So Saturday morning involved much internet surfing to gather up all sorts of info on the process, the legal precedents etc. We will fight!!

Then a trip to West End Avenue to start fitting a new kitchen cupboard - about time we did it to be honest. Quite a messy job as there isn't much room to move in their kitchen, but in the end it looked pretty good and apparently Elsie was up late re-arranging stuff to fill her new drawers!!

In between this we went to see Dodo - she was really pleased to see Melissa and reasonably in touch with reality. Much of the conversation was gobbledygook, but it was pleasant enough which helps.

Sunday, usual start with swimming, then not much until we went to see Flan, Dina and Milla. Melissa had a party at the snowdome, so we dropped her off and then went over. Cammy enjoyed playing Kororinpa, a Wii game, basically marble madness, but works really well on the Wii.

Back home for tea, change the fishes water, bath and bed........