The start of changes for mum

May 2008

I got in touch with the benefits office enquiries about applying for Attendance Allowance and spoke to someone who said that he said he would send me the forms by return and the benefit would start from this date of the telephone conversation.

When the forms arrived I completed them and forwarded them onto Kate Allen at Highland House for her to completed their part to confirm mums condition and she send them to the correct office in the benefits department.

June 2008

We went with mum to the local electrical store in the village and picked out and paid for an electric cooker, which they delivered and fitted it for mum

Mum had her CT scan, John and I took her to, it was found that mum had two discrete areas of hypo-density on the left side and it was advised for mum to see Dr Tyrell and to be put on Asprin..We got an appointment to see Dr Tyrell on 15th September 2008

July 2008

Social Services paid a visit and advised that mum should have handrails down the front path and one just outside the back door to help her get up and down the two steps also he could arranged for mum to have a bath lift to make it easier for her to get in and out of the bath, and chair raisers for her armchair.

They said that they would arrange for someone from Town and Country housing association (who own mums house) to come and write a report and send it to them regarding the handrails and when it was passed by them, Town and Country would contact me to make an appointment to call this was done and handrails were fitted

September 2008

Mum had a neck scan to see it there were any arteries blocked. All was OK, also a cholesterol blood test was done which was a little high so she was put on 1 x 40gm simuastafin tablets.
 

October 2008

 

I had a visit from Social Services in October regarding going through mums finances just in case she has carers in the future or needs other help that they pay for. I filled out all the forms but they were not needed at the moment so they would keep forms on file

We took mum to another appointment at Highland House in Tunbridge Wells, her test showed a slight worsening in her condition and once again Dr Asprey suggested Carers and meals on wheels also going to Bowles Lodge (day care centre) mum agreed to try Bowles Lodge.

Dr Asprey sent a request to Social Services to arrange mum going to Bowles Lodge

Social Services visited mum and me they arranged for mum to go to Bowles Lodge on Wednesday's and I took mum up to have a look around and talk to the staff and other people that attended, when we got there mum found out that she knew quite a few of the staff and others there and she felt more comfortable about attending once a week. Mum would spend the day at the centre, doing activities and having her lunch and tea there.

The first time mum attended she had a lovely time and really enjoyed it she was made a fuss of and came home with lovely painted nails. (Mum has always loved being the centre of attention!)

We had a little mishap this month when mum decided to go shopping in Maidstone.

She was going to meet my sister at the bus station but when the bus came mum wasn't on it she had, by mistake, got off the bus at the stop before..my sister found her over an hour later... so no more bus journeys for mum.  

                                                                   Annie (Mum) 2008