We have a neighbour, well round the corner from us, who is in her nineties, on her own now, no family apart from a nephew who lives in the same town, still working aged 68. Lovely kind man, v attentive to his aunt but limited in what he can do.
She is v independent and, it must be said, stubborn. V resistant to things which would help her life SO much. She talks endlessly, you have to cut across her endless talk when u need to check something that matters-she starts when you say/shout (only a bit) Doris! What? She's not deaf or in any way demented. She is tiny but has lymphodoema in both legs which are huge from the knee down.
She spent a couple of weeks in respite care recently and, for the first time in a long time, her knee caps reappeared!
As soon as she returned home she's back to sleeping in her armchair, legs down! Carers in twice a day-she turned away one who turned up at 9.30!
I have firmly (but kindly I hope) says she has to accept more carers esp one to get her to bed OR accept some respite care again.
Have suggested one of the armchairs she can tip back (to raise her legs in the day) and a bed which raises-resistance (where would THIS armchair go? We only bought that bed about 20!years ago!) Then worried about spending money; nephew tells me that is not a concern!
She refused my offer last night over the phone to go round and get her into bed via toilet (she wears pads).
What can i/should I do?! Am willing to help. . . .
