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We just moved my dad into a memory care residence and he had the caregiver call me so we could speak and he says the facility is a prison. They don't allow anyone to go outside at night which he loves to do but he doesn't understand that it's for his safety. I don't know what to do or say to him to make the transition easier for both him and me. I don't want him to feel imprisoned but it's for his own good. I'm at a loss of what to do.

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It is going to take a while to get adjusted to any new living situation. Add in dementia and it is even more confusing.
The fact he can not go outside at night, the doors are locked I am sure he feels as if he has been imprisoned. But that will pass as he gets used to his new surroundings. Part of that will come as he declines and his world will get smaller.
Tell dad that he is safe.
Tell dad that you love him.
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I am curious as to how long your dad has been in memory care. It took my MIL 6 weeks to get adjusted. The facility told us 6-8 weeks. It has been 3 months and she is not fully adjusted but she is not trying to catch a bus back home :). We do however visit every day, here where we live, our memory care units are designed to be on the top floor of the facility which means no outside access unless with someone. The problem is she declines to go outside because she lives on the 3rd floor and would have to take an elevator. Funny this topic came up, today she asked why she doesn't have a patio that she would like a patio right outside this window. In her words she was telling me she would love to sit outside. It is getting to chilly to be outside now anyways, I am just hoping by spring we can get her comfortable enough to go downstairs and outside.
I do like the other suggestion that maybe you can visit in the evening and take him outside?
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I would venture to say that most new MC residents feel like they're in a prison. It's confining, he no longer has any say in what he can do. His independence has been striped from him. Don't deny his feelings.

When you visit, make sure you go for a walk with him. Does the facility have a courtyard where the residents can go if accompanied by a relative. If so, maybe you could visit in the evening and take him outside. If there are benches, sit for while and talk. Overcoming our loved one's (and our own) emotions and feelings isn't easy, but you know you've done the right thing. You might want to say something like, “I know it's a new place for you, dad, but I'll be over tomorrow to spend time with you”. It'll take time to adjust for the both of you. But you will.
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