Dementia

[hannah40]

Sorry to keep asking questions about this subject but I’m really learning as I go along.
My mum who is 90 has dementia since September. I’m caring for her and Power of attorney going through.
I have also got her a gadget that you press if you need help.
So I’m getting there but Im thinking now of a camera in her flat so I can check my phone and see what she is doing eg is she eating her meals that I put out for her is she making drinks.
I work full time so I go in each morning or evening but not twice.
I have organised a cleaner to go in.
Is there a camera that I could set up? She doesn’t have wifi but I could put mobile WiFi in there.
Also is there a way I can communicate with my mum apart from phone eg a walk-in talkie she lives 1 mile away.
Thank you

[pixie374]

You also need to have a professional "incapacity" agreement... not just from a relative.

[hannah40]

I work in adult social care but not elderly and family can act in best interest . There needs to be signs and yes third parties do need to know.
In my mums case she has the capacity to order me to take her kettle away as it’s now to heavy to lift and. The capacity to make me buy 4 kettles before she found one she liked.
So I’m sure she could let me know if she was happy with cctv or not then we will add it into her care plan.
We’re not under social services but it was the frailty nurse that suggested this as safety and security.

[woofgang]

yes but you go in as carers. What your link actually says is "social services may be interested" not that they must be told.

[woofgang]

^^ that to pixie

[pixie374]

Hannah, if she agrees, no problem. Otherwise, you don't need to be under SS, but you do have to inform them of any plans that "remove" someone's rights- and yes, I do understand why.
In any case, your choice and best wishes x

[pixie374]

The link might, woof.... but that is not how it actually works in real life. Maybe I added an old or rubbish link. Sorry... x

[hannah40]

Pixie as I said I work with adults with LD but I know nothing about dementia it’s all new to me ,so any advice I’m grateful for.
I do know the human rights , safe guarding, and mental capacity rights law as I’m fully trained support worker.
There are cameras in the homes I visit of my vulnerable service users but I’m trying to get helpful advice to keep my mum safe in her own flat where she wants to live.
The issue I have is my mum would agree then forget it’s there when she sees it she will be ringing me asking me what it is and who put it there and why.

[woofgang]

can she still read? A solution might be to put signs up where the cameras are.

[hannah40]

Yes my mum can still read. Yes a good idea but she doesn’t have WiFi so it looks like it won’t be a possibility.

[pixie374]

Hannah, I know you are trying to help her, don't get me wrong... this is just something very fresh for me about human rights, and has been tested literally for us in the last few weeks. Tbh, I'm surprised there are already cameras in the places you go to.
Would she be safer in a home? I know it isn't for everyone.... but we have had some people move into a home, as they weren't safe on their own. Or could you get someone in at mealtimes, to check she eats, takes medication etc?
There will be help, financially, if she needs it.

[hannah40]

You sound like a good carer pixie. Wish you could care for my mum.
My friend goes in to clean and my mum is adamant she doesn’t need her going in and I have to reinforce she does need her.
As for my service users they have capacity to make there own decisions and cameras are on outside of front door so they can see who is there.

[pixie374]

Very kind of you, hannah x and cameras outside sounds sensible. I hope you manage to get what she needs, anyway x

[woofgang]

hannah would her finances not cover it a wifi subscription? If you have got her financial POA and she wants to stay in her own home and could cope with talking to you through something like an echo show?

[hannah40]

Woofgang an echo show sounds a possibility