A Home from Home?

Unfortunately, with Alzheimer’s the condition only worsens. It never improves. Looking after Gran started off hard and ended up a 24/7 job. She went from forgetful and repetitive to anxious and upset and then confused and depressed. And then it got worse. I don’t know how my Grandad coped on his own with her. He had the support of other members of the family but he was my gran’s main carer. When Grandad left the house for 5 minutes, Gran would wander out the house and not know where she was. It was when this started happening that we knew we needed help.

Initially, Grandad was lucky enough to get my Gran a place in residential day care. When she went there it allowed Grandad to go shopping or have a couple hours to himself knowing that she was in safe hands. This was at Dundonald House, a nursing home specialising in dementia and Alzheimer’s care. To be honest, in hindsight, day care didn’t really work for Gran. Not their fault, the home was great. However, with her personality traits and the stage of the illness she was at, day care wasn’t the solution.

So, what were the options? Living at home with my Grandad was no longer possible. She became too ill. It wasn’t safe for her to be at home anymore. She needed around the clock specialist care.

She needed to go into a nursing home.

Nobody wanted her to go into a home. My Grandad was devastated. It was the first time he had to live without her in over 50 years. The whole family was gutted.

I would be lying if I said the first few weeks were perfect. Gran didn’t really settle. I for one found it harrowing to visit when she looked so distressed. However, it was important to keep in mind this was the best thing for her. This month it has been 3 years she has been in Glenfairn Nursing Home. She’s settled. She’s safe. The staff are brilliant with her. If I had known 3 years ago this would be the case, it would’ve been a much easier transition.

Glenfairn Nursing Home

I hope this blog helps anyone that finds themselves in a similar position to the one we were in.