Every day for several weeks now I have been posting letters to organisations, first informing them of dad's death and asking what they would like me to do about closing off his affairs with them, then responding to their requests, then responding to their further requests. My earlier impressions, which were that utilities companies, insurers, and government departments' interests extend to delaying payouts and covering their own arses, has remained unchallenged by any signs of helpful behaviour on their part. The one quick result we got, without the need for any documentation, was the increase in mum's UK state pension. Hardly suprising though, as the increase in her pension was about 20% of what they had been paying dad. To them, therefore, it was an instant saving to be realised, and the resultant efficiency is remarkable only for its impersonal execution.

That's not what has prompted me to write though.

I just heard that mum had a fall on Tuesday, in the common room. Greg was notified at 6:30 pm, just after it happened, and again when the ambulance arrived to take mum to hospital. The hospital also called to say that mum had arrived. After examination mum was determined to be all right and was discharged, so that she was back at the home for the night.

Then, on Thursday, she apparently fell out of bed. This time there was no treatment as she, presumably, didn't appear to be hurt.

Then, yesterday (Saturday), she fell off her chair while sitting at the table. She was again taken to the hospital, and is there now, sedated and bruised about the face. A urinary tract infection is suspected.

The communications to the hospital have been as difficult as ever. And the confusion over what has been going on seems to have reared its ugly head once more. A doctor at the hospital has prescribed antibiotics for the UTI, under the impresssion that mum has been on these for two weeks. This is news to us. The staff at the home think that it may be worth taking mum off the Risperidone, as this may be making her drowsy and unsteady. This is defrinitely worth a try, I think, and I hope that mum does not resume her aggressive behaviour. If she does, it begins to look remarkably like the scenario we've just been through with dad: behaviour that is considered unmanageable without stronger drugs, a prescription that puts him out of action, reduced mobility, reduced appetite, poor sleep and the inevitable host of ancillary problems that come with that.

I need to speak to Greg and Rachel about finding an alternative hospital, too. Nothing about the one mum is in has ever made us feel good.