It turns out that I misunderstood what Greg said about the ACAT assessment. Dad has been assessed as a high-care patient. This means he has to go to a nursing home. Greg called the manager of the one in the retirement village, and discovered that there was a place available for dad immediately. We had to take it or leave it by 4 pm today. We have taken it.

Tomorrow, instead of just looking at the room, which Greg did today, we shall move dad's things in - or most of them, as some will have to be taken back to the house. At some time during the day dad will arrive by ambulance from the hospital, who are merely feeding and cleaning him now, not treating him.

None of this feels right. Dad's decline has just come far too fast and unexpectedly. However, it seems that for now we are doing the best we can, and I do not know whether we could have any better alternatives, even if money were no object.

It is very hard to concentrate on anything else. Unfortunately, since it has been rather like that for many days now, we just cannot afford to be distracted any more. My desk is covered in unopened mail. My apartment is piled with laundry that needs to be attended to. My exercise regime has broken down and so have my sleep patterns. it is not that I do not have time for things, but that I do not have the heart for them.