What is best for MY MOM?

My dad is not in deep dementia, Yet. He is in a nursing home that like your Mom's is wonderful. He is so much happier there than at home, activities, seeing others like him, the staff is just the best.
I would also like to bring Dad home, but i know it is in his best interest to be there. You have to seperate yourself, which is very
hard, and ask, "what is best for Mom?"
Can you give her the care she is getting at the facility? you are with her AM & PM , use that time to just "be with her" not to
take care of her, can you do that with her at home? Make this
time to be the best you can, savor the moments of relaxing with her, not spending your time taking care of her.
I hope this helps and God bless you and your Mom.

My Mom is in a NH--93--she actually improved there and needs 24 hour care. Late dementia also.
No one can be alert 24 hours a day--I go see her every other day, she forgets that I was even there minutes after I leave.
It's a very lonely,sad road to travel, but she does get better care there then I could give her.
We were always best friends and it is heartbreaking to see her this way but, it has to be.
Keep your Mom there--Good luck.

You're so lucky to be minutes away from your moms NH. Think how often you could be there. Seems comforting to know that you can just drop in at any time, and visiting 24 hours wow that's really a blessing.

Do not second guess yourself, as I tell myself the same thing. Do whats right for your mom, not your conscience. Leave your mom with the professionals who are trained to do what we are not.

You're just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Leave her there.

If you haven't talked to the social worker you should and most NH's have meetings after 2 weeks with the family and staff and they will be honast with you what they think you should do that nursing home sounds great usually the ones who do not limit visting hours are the best and if she stays there you can visit instead of having to do everything yourself and probably take her outside when the wheather gets warmer and also take her out for ice cream or a ride from time to time.

MING:

When my father was in the last stages of prostate cancer, a NH was the best place for him to be. I wanted to keep him home, but as his condition I found myself trying to do what I can't. The staff at the NH loved him, for despite the cancer ravaging his body he had a joie de vivre I couldn't understand until he explained it to me. "When you live life to the fullest," he said, "you don't have to worry about the shortness of life or death itself. ... Try living each day as if it were your last, and you'll understand what I'm talking about."

30 days later, the NH called and informed me Dad was "ready to go home." Translation: there was nothing else they could do, his life had run its course, and he wanted to die in the company of his loved ones. I took him to my apartment in the Bronx and noticed his fingernails had turned purple as I washed him in the tub. He looked into my eyes, smiled softly, said "Thank you," and passed away in my arms while I caressed the few strands of hair in his head.

Two days later my sons and I flew his body to Manaus, Brazil. Once there, arrangements were quickly made not to mourn him as most people do, but to celebrate his life. My sons are so much like him, and sometimes I feel he's watching over me. His body's gone, but his spirit still guides me and protects me. I feel honored to be his son.

Ed I swear everytime I read something you write it makes me think I mean think deep.

How beautiful that was and how beautiful that your dad got to tell you Thanks, and how beautifully he passed onto the next episode. How blessed you are and always will be, and it is your sons who are lucky too.

Ed, I agree with Pamela, you always speak with such wisdom and compassion. Your post brought tears and also reminded me of my dad. Even tho he had dementia, he seemed to always "know" me and seeing me calmed him. I was at his bedside when he died. I am honored to be his daughter. What a precious father. My son is so much like him, even has those same blue eyes. Dad lives on in my son.
I know I got off topic, just wanted to say thanks.

I was holding my dads hand when he passed away. He knew it was about to happen. He told me to take care of his little angel[my daughter] and took his last breathe. That man worked me to death but I sure loved him. I was a daddys girl,always was always willbe.

ming; I am struggling with this myself. Right now my Mom is living independently but I fear that this arrangement will be short-lived. She has made it clear that she does not want to live with family. And institutions, even at their best, will not be like family care. So here I am going back and forth just like you. I just pray that I will know when to say when. I will do my best to see that she continues to get the best care...whatever that may entail. We have not yet had that discussion about "what happens next" and I have not promised her that she would never end up in a facility. I am so sad every day - watching her decline. But for now she is happy, has a good appetite, and a great sense of humor. So those are my blessings.
I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about my decisions. No one ever teaches you how to help some one transition into the next life.
My advice to you is: try out the NH...sounds like a nice place, it is close to you, and it does not have to be a permanent situation if you should change your mind. Also, when that time comes, your mother may be able to return to your home with the help of respite workers.