Yesterday was a difficult day. My agency was called to provide care for an elderly woman living alone with Alzheimer’s…. By Angil Tarach_Ritchey Alzheimer’s Reading Room Prior to going out to meet her, I was told Adult Protective Services had already been involved, but no one would be there at her home with her when I was scheduled to visit. This is never a good idea. We always want someone in the meeting that can witness what took place. The son who called us said he couldn’t make the meeting. Because I know and trust myself, and already had concern for a lady living alone with dementia, I went to her home. I expected to find her home alone in a terrible situation, and was fearful of what I might find. I was pleasantly surprised to find her home health nurse there, so at least someone was able to witness my visit, and was involved in her care. I met a beautiful 88 year old woman who I was happy to see was clean, groomed well, and lived in a clean environment. Not what I expected. We all base expectations on our past experiences, and I have seen some really bad situations. She was very friendly, talkative and from outward appearances appeared healthy, physically and mentally. The nurse filled me in on her recent hospitalizations, and family situation. This is when the scenario took a turn for the worse. This lady had been driving and caring for herself until her church family noticed something was very wrong. A wonderful woman from the church family took it upon herself to help. Mind you this patient has adult children. Her recent hospitalizations were a blessing because that is when the home health agency was called to provide medical monitoring in her home.

Original Source of Living Alone with Dementia