Papa is coming home - UPDATE: Memaw is in E.R.

[Kfamr]

For those who haven't been following, my Papa (grandpa) has been in and out of mental wards, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. since May. In Semptember he tried killing himself.


They have tried everything under the moon to get him back to "himself." They think he's as best as he's going to be and are allowing him to go home permanently tomorrow (11/30.) The last time they allowed this is when he tried commiting suicide. This time, all of his pills are going to be locked in a safe that only my Mamaw (grandma) has access to.


Please keep the both of them in your thoughts - that my Papa behaves. My poor Memaw will no longer have any freedom. Papa is just like a child now and needs to be supervised - she won't be able to take a quick trip to the store, bingo, etc. without calling someone to come watch Papa.

[caseysmom]

I am so happy, even though it will be a strain on your grandmother I am sure she will be so happy to have him home. I am sure your family can give her little breaks to run to the store. My father had Alzheimers and my mom was in the same situation, she would bring him over for me to keep an eye on him when she needed to get out.

Once he went to his lodge and she had car trouble, I had to race over to get him and sure enough he had wandered off since she wasn't there right on time, luckily I found him. Just remember those little breaks will mean a lot to grandma.

[anna_66]

Kay I can totally sympathise with this as Mark's mom has gotten to be the same way. She hasn't tried killing herself but most of the time she doesn't know where she is (she constantly wants to go home and she IS home). And a lot of times she calls Mark her little brother
It's so very sad to see them get this way isn't it? Like their little kids and don't know what to do.

Let your grandma know that I'll be thinking of her and keeping her in my prayers.

(((HUGS))) to you too.

[Karen]

Your family will all be in our prayers.

[Cinder & Smoke]

My poor Memaw will no longer have any freedom.
Papa is just like a child now and needs to be supervised -
she won't be able to take a quick trip to the store, bingo, etc.
without calling someone to come watch Papa.

Kay ~

She doesn't have to be "on her own" with managing Papa -
the Alzheimer's Association >> http://www.alz.org/ <<
is a huge, Nationwide, assistance organization that has chapters in every state
and most every city ... Here's YOUR Local Chapter >>>
http://www.alz-tbc.org/ (Florida Gulf Coast Chapter )

Give 'em a call - toll free = 800-772-8672

One thing a lot of the Chapters do is organize Day Care Centers -
where patients can meet and enjoy group activities - and allow their
regular Care Givers some "time off" without having to worry about the patient.

Most Alzheimer's programs are either FREE or super low-cost to the patient -
everyone can afford to be helped.

/s/ Phred

[joycenalex]

i'm hopeful for your family kay, try giving the alzheimers' people a call, there is help and respite care out there for asking (and as always paperwork ) hugs to your grandmother and papa

[ramanth]

Many loving prayers for your grandparents.

[K9karen]

I'm so sorry, Kay. I know how close you are to you grandparents.

It's very painful to watch those we love, esp. our elders, deteriorate from illness. I know your family is doing everything to help your grandmother cope. Believe me, a caretaker's job is not pretty.But you already know that. Hugs to you and your family, my friend.

[Kfamr]

Thanks for the info, Phred, but my grandfather does not have Alzheimer's.

They've looked into house nurses and such - everything is too pricey. We're already in a deep hole as it is with his hospital bills, nursing home bills, her hospital bills, etc. We're just going to help her the best we can.



Everyone else, thanks for your well wishes. I'm really nervous about him coming home but happy on the same level.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Kay, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I've been through something similar with my Grandmother and now with my Mother. Bless all of you. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[Catty1]

Someone call your congressman's office - the staff there are so connected with what is available! There might be something as yet undiscovered!

Google Elder Lawyers - if they offer a free consultation, it's worth it. They helped out an elderly couple I know in Washington state.

And a local volunteer agency, local Mental Health association.

There's gotta be something!

[cassiesmom]

You might call the Alzheimer's Association anyway. They might have good information about adult day services or caregiver assistance, without regard for the person's diagnosis.

Around here our township office is the info source for senior citizens so you might call your village hall or county office or somewhere like that.

See www.aarp.org/families/caregiving too

Prayers for Papa, Memaw and Kay.

[Ginger's Mom]

Kay, I really do feel for you and your family. This is not an easy situation for anyone. I don't know about your county, but the Office of Aging (or I think it may be called Council on Aging down there) do offer some free and low cost services. It isn't much, but take advantage of what is there (in Indian River County they offer Day Care, if you transport the patient there, or they offer respite care for a couple of hours a week; for a fee they also offer housekeeping services if that would help your grandmother-I just mention these as some of the things you could ask about). I do understand how hard it is, and I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[Kfamr]

UGH.. One thing after another.

Memaw is in the hospital now. She was going to the restroom this morning and her feces was full of blood. So, she went to the E.R. She has a ruptured vein or something. They are going to keep her over night.

Papa is still coming home but my aunt is going to stay with him tonight or as long as they need to keep my grandmother.

I really hope 2008 will be a better year.

[critter crazy]

Oh kay!!! I am so sorry your Memaw went into the Hospital!! Gosh! I sure hope your papa behaves, for your aunt!! I am sending prayers for you family, that everything works out well!