Eek, how time passes by when I am simply vegging about.
I've barely touched my computer since our wireless went a bit haywire at the start of the week. Seems to be sorted out now, but I when I upgraded the wireless speed I also succumbed and took on the movie package on the cable service. I have been immersed in filmland :)
Seems that I like the new sofa a little too much. Since it arrived I don't think one night has passed by without me falling asleep on it. That seems to be my new pastime - watching tv and falling asleep. Maybe something is up with me, I'm not sure.
I visited my uncle in hospital again on Tuesday which ended up kinda sad if I am perfectly honest. He begged to be taken home and when we (my mother and I) said we couldn't do that he said that he didn't know us at all and that we'd only come to take his money and to make sure he stayed in hospital. Turns out one of the reasons he has been there so long now (5 weeks ish) is due to the fact that what he'd fallen in his kitchen, he damaged one of his kidneys. They were concerned that it might fail and in fact only this week it seems to be looking much better.
They are reviewing his case today and deciding what to do next with him. He was assessed and he is "compos mentis" so if he wants to return home they will arrange care services for him and send him back. Sadly we've been in this situation before and it has always ended the same way. He returns home, he takes on the services and when he sees the invoice for the costs he begins to remove the services he thinks he doesn't need. He has always turned down the "meals on wheels" (he prefers to eat sausage rolls and crisps) and ends up not eating and in the end, just before his most recent fall, he had cut his daily visits from a care worker down to 4 days per week.
He worries me.
Comments (4)
Your poor uncle. That is a sad situation. We had a dear
friend of the family that was much like that some years back. It
would break my heart to see her and break hers if no one came to see
her.
Five weeks stuck in hospital is bound to upset anyone. Male pride is a powerful force - the prospect of having to be looked after by other people sends a shiver down my spine, being in a situation where that prospect seems very real would make me lash out. It probably doesn't help if his carers are women - yes, it's undeniably sexist but men generally prefer to be helped by other men, we don't like to be seen in weak or in need of help in front of women. Of course, he's being a bit foolish, if he needs the help he should take it but it sounds like you'll have a hard job convincing him.
Sometimes there's little you can do except let people make their own decisions, however much it pains you as the bystander. Poor uncle
.
That has to be so hard, trying to care for and do the right thing for your uncle. People get so stubborn as they age. Meanwhile, that couch and movie night lifestyle sounds very nice to me!