COE, HECTOR (1934 - ) Currently resident in the Room With a View (to Happiness) retirement home in Crieff. Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's shortly before my mother's death. In the months that followed he became increasingly volatile and, at times, violent. Initially the repetition of a favourite joke, preferably one accompanied by pratfalls, was sufficient to calm him, but he gradually became unmanageable. On more than one occasion I had to resort to locking myself in the bathroom as he rampaged through the house. Reluctant to have dad institutionalised, I found myself, not for the first time, at the mercy of the social services who assessed my capabilities. Apparently they were found wanting. Much was made at the time of an antique Geiger counter I'd set up in the living room upon which, apparently, Dad might have injured himself. My home was subjected to an invasion of care assistants: Charlene, Mandy and Bea. Oblivious to my international reputation, they treated me with unfeigned contempt, demanding constant cups of coffee and referring to me within earshot by offensive nicknames. When I retreated to the sanctuary of the shed to listen to Mahler, they followed me, banging on the door and shouting, “What are you up to in there with Mallard, monkey man?” a joke of which they never tired. People resent those they consider useless – in tribal societies non-contributors were cannibalised or sacrificed. Today they're subjected to medical experiments or forced to scrub industrial vats.

 

Home

Glossary

Hamilton Live

Casebook

 

Contact