Hi All,
MIL’s mental capacity is diminishing by the day. Had Dr out again today as carers were concerned that she spent the day in bed yesterday (at her request) and when they called at lunchtime, they found her with her legs over the side of the bed trying to get up … she is fully hoisted as cannot weight bear at all.
I discussed with GP whether there was any benefit of getting a dementia assessment as we are concerned about her safety and welfare if she “forgets” she cannot walk. He replied that there is nothing to be gained, she is 87 and she is bound to have declining mental capacity.
I rang the care company after he left and explained that she had tried to get out of bed the previous day, and the Manager hadn’t been told even though it was in her daily record and the carer I saw at lunchtime told me she had found her trying to get up when she arrived yesterday.
Can we request bed rails for her without a formal MCA assessment? I used to work in care myself but I know it can be regarded as deprivation of liberty if the person is considered able to make choices for their welfare, but we fear MIL cannot at the moment.
GP also suspect MIL is severely anaemic which might be affecting her mental state and is prescribing iron tablets, but they take some time to actually kick in.
Her daily notes from yesterday mentioned she didn’t know what day it was and at tea time she mentioned how dark it was as she thought it was morning. Today she seems more with-it, but argued with me that she didn’t stay in bed yesterday, so there is definitely something going on …