"Ward 9 - patient, my mother"

My mother was admitted to ward 9 on Monday 26th January. She had suffered a stroke and was left side paralysed. She has dementia. At first the care mum was recieving seemed fine. I live in the Scottish Borders and returned home on 1st February as my 2 brothers live locally and it was obvious tous all that mum had a long road of recovery ahead. At this stage she seemed up for this challenge. I couldn't settle at home and returned on 7th February. I was extremely distressed at the deterioration in my mum. Her eyes were sunken, she was very unsettled, shouting out and making strange noises. When I spoke ti staff they said she was beginning to show signs of behavioural issues. This was very upsetting for me to hear. Mum has never complained or displayedthis behaviour before. Every day I visited and every day I moved her table fromthe end of the bed where it was completly inaccessible, to where mum could reach it. I nade mum drink during each visit. Sadly, I feel that although the staff where very approachable and helpful to us, the basic care required in order for mum to make a recovery was just not being met. I belive mumis suffering from extreme dehydration, and would have continued with her phsio and speech therapy had she had some gentle encouragement from 2 or 3 staff who woyld have been becoming familiar to her by now. We are in the process of moving her from hospital and , quite frankly this can't come quick enough. My mm is fading away before our eyes and is not the person I left on the 1st Feb. these issues are basic care needs which are just not being met. Despite knowing about mum's dementia, staff did not recognise this and deemed that mum had behavioural problems, I say no she simply needed to be hydrated! I just hope the move can be nade ASAP before it is too late for mum. Hopefulky by writing this though someone ekses parents will not suffer in the same way. Shame on you WGH!