I've been living with my mom for about a year, but I work so most of the time we have in home caregivers stay with her during the day. She recently had a couple of ER visits, both of which have made me nervous to leave her alone at all. The first ER visit she had a seizure, more recently she tripped, fell and bleed all over the kitchen from a head would. These were close calls that could have been much more dire.
The catch here is that she's only 62. Last weekend I took a tour of an assisted care facility specializing in dementia and Alzheimer's, but no other residents were anywhere near her age. I left feeling like it's way to early to go that route, but I don't know. There's also the cost as well; it seems like I'm gambling with an assumption she will die before her money runs out. It's a terrible way to think, but I'm stuck between trying to make sure she has the care she needs while making sure she won't run out of money, (which I have no clue what would happen at that point!)
What do others do when someone gets dementia so early?
Suzanne
But please don't think she won't fall. The only way to prevent it would to be in a wheelchair most of the time. But there would be someone there in case of a seizure. Find out if they have the ability to test for UTIs.
By placing her in an AL she will have more interaction with people. They have activities. They will do her laundry. She will have 3 meals a day. Her meds regularly. Some of your worry will be gone. Dementia worsens over time.
(There is a woman about that age in mom's nursing home and I've learned to let my eyes slide past her because otherwise it would break my heart - she stands by the nurse's station unoccupied and alone all day every day.... I wish she could be somewhere that she could have a little care, attention and as much stimulation as possible)