Answer Happy

Jelma is struggling with the care of her father. She has beencaring for him in her home for two years now. Alfred’s conditionhas deteriorated. He has problems walking and because of hisshuffling gait he often falls. Luckily he hasn’t fallen yet. Thedementia caused by the Parkinson’s is getting worse. He sees thingsand is delusional. His current delusions are around having to go tocourt because he did something wrong. He is very anxious about thisand keeps wanting to go out and buy a suit for the hearing. This isvery upsetting for the family – he has never been in trouble withthe police in his life. He has become incontinent (urine andfaeces) from time to time. Jelma: spends a long time each day withhis care. It’s great when the PCW comes three times a week toshower him, but there is still so much more to do. Also, he tendsto wander so he needs to be watched every day. had to give up herjob to care for him. She now works part time from home but it’shard with all the interruptions from Alfred. is receiving thecarer’s pension. doesn’t want to put him into full time care as shefeels it is her job to look after him. family life is fallingapart. The kids are in high school now – they love theirgrandfather but struggle with him living at home. They getembarrassed when he says silly things when their friends are around– and of course if he has been incontinent. She doesn’t have muchenergy left at the end of the day to help them with their homework.husband is having to work extra hours to make up for the work youare no longer able to do. He resents this and thinks you should puthim into full time care. is beside herself – she feels pulledbetween the responsibilities to look after her father and the needsof the family. She has put on a lot of weight and feels terribleabout herself. would like to find out what services are availablethat could help as she has no idea what is available.
-What support can you suggest to assist Jelma? and Whatservices would be available to help Alfred?