Yesterday evening it happened once again; I turned my back for a few minutes and Maureen went missing.  I had spoken to her few minutes or so before, as I took a call from one of my daughters on my mobile.  Five minutes later  there was no sign of Maureen in the immediate area, so I took to the car to widen my search.  I eventually found her making her way in the general direction of home.

There are many aspects of concern from this incident.   When I picked Maureen up she said she thought: ‘I had gone to work, and didn’t expect me home for some time’.  Evening was drawing to a close and light was fading.  The temperature was dropping and she was clad: in a T shirt, wearing light joggers, and shod in slippers.  She commented that few people were around to help her find her way home.

As we travelled the short distance home she was completely unaware that her behaviour could have caused any concern.  When we got back in the house she thought it was strange that the light was fading, as she thought it was morning.  She expected that we would be taking breakfast as our next meal.  Later in the evening her behaviour raised further concern.

Maureen often goes to bed early but last night she was frightened to retire unless I joined her.  This meant missing ‘Match of the Day’ and I revealed my addiction to football in yesterday’s Blog.   However, as she was obviously so tired I agreed to an early night.

The developments of yesterday are an illustration of Maureen’s current presentation.  She has no concept of person, place, or time, and her behaviour is unpredictable.  This means I have to maintain constant vigilance to ensure her welfare.  Little wonder that I need a break no-one could sustain this 24/7.   The Pussy-Footing Around  simply has to come to an end and a revised Care Plan along with a Carers’ Assessment is required as a matter of urgency.

The irony in all of this is that Maureen went missing while I was talking to Anna on the phone.  She is the Campaigns Director for a Missing Persons charity – you couldn’t make it up!