Hospital!

On Saturday I went to visit Mum in Hospital, she has been in there for a while now and is awaiting a care package to be implemented before  she can be discharged. Dad has cleared out the dining room at home, which will be used to take a hospital bed and hoist, so Mum will be comfortable and finally be able to sleep in a bed and not her wheel chair as has been the case up to now.

Mum did seem a little better than usual, almost chipper, in stark contrast to the way she has been feeling. Whether that has something to do with keeping up appearances for her son or a real feeling of  contentment, is anyone's guess. Nevertheless it was good to see her upbeat and talking about the future for a change. All of us are aware of the challenges ahead, we just have to pull together as a family now, in order to give Mum the best possible life going forward.

My Aunty Carol is also in Hospital at the moment, in a private room, just down the corridor from Mum. When I arrived early on Saturday, I popped in to see her first. Uncle Terry was there and is staying with her each night. Sadly my Great Aunt has cancer and is battling everyday. A few days ago, having difficulty breathing she was taken to A&E and admitted for a series of tests. Due to the invasive nature of chemotherapy, her immune system is extremely low and prone to infection, so she has been situated away from other patients. As Uncle Terry said to me, 'she isn't really in the right ward, ' but everyone is doing their best to help my Aunt through this burdensome time, Doctors, nurses and family alike.

Aging and illness has become a constant in my life. Watching ones Mother suffer in the way she is, knowing you can't do anything to alleviate the pain, is a terrible thing. Whatever I say isn't going to change her plight. The reality is words are just words and unless they are followed up with real tangible efforts to change Mum's future, she will just continue along the same road she has been travelling. Now is the time to devise a long term plan to improve the quality of life for Mum and Dad, so they both can lead as normal existence as possible under the most strenuous of circumstances.

As we approach  2019, I am under no illusions as to the hurdles I have to overcome, to ensure Mum and Dad have the best possible care and support in their old age. The financial burden is astronomically high, but we don't have many options as a family. The Government has us over a barrel, we have to pay the costs involved or have them recouped at some stage, after my Mother and Father eventually pass away. It is likely I will receive no legacy from my parents as they intended. All their hard earned money will be used to pay for care....This is the shocking reality in Britain today. Successive Governments have neglected or ignored the dilemma of old age care in the UK, in truth the families of my Mothers generation will be left with the bills when parents eventually pass away, a terrible indictment on the uncaring society we all now live in!

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