A&E: Alzheimer's and an emergency trip to Cambridge

Another disconcerting visit to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge earlier on this freezing winter night. Mother-in-law, the subject of many previous posts, was admitted to the huge complex yesterday as the decline in her health begins to accelerate. Alzheimer's is most certainly taking a firm grip.

TESTING TIMES: Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge      Photo: BBC

She now lives in a care home in the village of Little Downham, little more than a short hop and jump from the cathedral "city" of Ely where she receives round-the-clock-care from dedicated, amiable, hard-working staff. Despite their efforts, accidents are bound to happen and sure enough, last week, on Christmas Eve, mum-in-law had a fall. It was not serious in itself and a thorough check by the GP revealed no breaks or even bruising, although he did suspect she was suffering from a UTI. No need for the hospital, he said. That would only add to her obvious confusion. A course of strong antibiotics should do the trick.

But her behaviour has altered significantly of late; her speech is becoming more slurred, the words she so desperately seeks cannot be conjured, her once-brisk walk has been reduced to a mere shuffle and everyday tasks are becoming increasingly difficult. Why fumble with a fork at the table if your fingers will suffice? Not all the time, you understand, but more and more often, and the frustration simmers.

The tipping point occurred when she deliberately took to the floor of her room after refusing food and drink. She then flatly refused assistance and began to threaten the staff who were patiently trying to cajole and coax her to her feet. No point. She was not going to cooperate. After a call to ours, it was decided that the paramedics should intervene. A trip to Addenbrooke's A&E followed and she was then formally admitted on to a ward for the elderly where innumerable tests and scans have been carried out in an attempt to discover if there is an underlying disease in addition to the dreaded Alzheimer's which is largely responsible for her decline. The brilliant NHS staff suspect not, but they need to be certain.

The good news is that mum-in-law shares a bay on the ward with a chirpy lady from Witchford who is compos mentis. No long silences there. Furthermore, m-i-l actually recognised her daughter tonight and remembered her name. We shall see what tomorrow brings.

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