Mailbox Response

The question was submitted Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Subject: wanting to go home

i need help, i'm looking after my mum and i've already placed my dad in a home. i promised mum she would never have to go into a home, that she could stay with me as long as possible.

mum keeps wanting to go home, she insists she can look after herself but she can't

how do i deal with this? she's not that far gone that i can fob her off or lie to her

Answer from DementiaNet

Based on the information you have provided it seems that you mother has not received an aged care assessment (provided by the local ACAT). This should include geriatrician review and your mother’s GP can arrange this. There are many supports available for disabled elderly people and it may be possible for such support to be provided so that she can trial a return to her home. If the consensus opinion is that she cannot go home then the aged care team will be able to offer advice about how to manage this. It is also important that you have help with your caregiving role and the ACAT can provide information about this too. You also need to consider that at a future point that you may not be able to continue caring for your mother at home. Some elderly individuals have such needs that can only be provided in a residential care facility

The answer was published on DementiaNet Thursday, 1 July 2010