Answered a question 8/14/2010 at 6:11 pm
I wanted and seriously considered bringing him home (and my RN husband was actually willing as well) and hire an LVN to stay with him (avout the same as one of these swanky assisted living places), bu
...Read MoreI wanted and seriously considered bringing him home (and my RN husband was actually willing as well) and hire an LVN to stay with him (avout the same as one of these swanky assisted living places), but with the hours we both work, and the amount of stairs at our home and the hilly/remote nature of our neighborhood, I think I've finally admitted to myself what a loving but horrible idea it would be to bring him to live with us - he'd pretty much be "stuck" with no options to public transportation or independent activity. Fortunately, there are a couple facilities nearby with dementia/alzheimer floors nearby, but he clearly preferred this other hotel-style facility (same area)...in either event, we haven't made any decision yet (who knows, he may stay in the city he's lived in for 50 years where my brother still lives vs. moving away but closer to me). Hopefully when the time comes to move him, it won't be too stressful even if it's not within the same company. Don't want to place him somewhere he doesn't care for as much now simply to avoid or alleviate potential moving stress in the future, know what I mean? It's all so difficult and I don't know what I'm talking about or getting into...just want to do right by him - but sometimes the best intentions are not the best choices.
Fortunately thus far, the only mood swings we've experienced is that he's nicer than he used to be - not angry or mean at all (which was actually quite a common trait in his former years!). Should I anticipate him getting more and more agitated or does it differ from person to person? When I asked the Dr for what we could expect and how long the progression takes, he simply said a stroke or heart attack will 'take him out" (nice choice of words doc!) before Alzheimer's...not sure if I was supposed to be comforted by that, but it didn't really tell me what we're in for or how to handle...guess only time (and fab sites like this) will tell.