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Hopeful2011 Asked June 2011

How do I explain to my mother who has dementia that the Skilled Nursing Facilities is the best place for her to be?

My mother, Lois, is 83. She had a stroke in Aug. 10, 2010. She has aphasia & dysphasia. She was in the hospital for 3 days, then to a Rehab for a month,
then asked to go home. The doctor said she needed 24-hour care & could no longer drive. We tried home for a month until she said "okay, all of you need to leave. I can be alone now. I don't care what you or the doctors say, I say I'm fine now." So it was off to an AL. She seemed okay for a few months, then forgot to sign out, escaped twice, and begged strangers on the street to take her home. So, she was assigned more caregiving assistance, and her rent went up $500. I took her out 3x's a week, she wanted to go to her home to "get her things together" so we did that for a few hours every so often, out to beauty shop apointments once a week, and for pedicures every 6 weeks, shopping, etc. Then, one day when we were coming back from an outing she insisted on bending over and picking up a dime on the street and she fell in the parking lot. A few weeks later she fell in her room, then two days later fell again in her room and broke her back. I'm concerned about sending her to another AL facility for fear that the ratio with the staff and patients will not be as nice as this Conval./Rehab she is currently in. At this time, it is always reassuring that she is as safe as can be. But, the Conv./Rehab seems to have much older-looking, more needy patients. She doesn't want to live with us; not much seems to go on at Board & Care homes. The Conv./Rehab seems busy and my mother has a roommate which is nice. When my mother constantly asks when she will get out and if she can go home, I have a terrible time trying to answer. My visits with her are becoming frustrating and exhausting. Prayer, listening to our Christian radio station, and going over verses help during this time; however I start feeling confused myself and frustrated and second guessing myself--no matter what situation she is in. She really wasn't that happy at home--and was beginning to become seclusive--only wanting to see me (I'm an only child) and her grandchildren who are very busy living their lives.

My prayer is that my mom will be content at this Rehab/Skilled Care and happier with her new roommate Doris who she is going to try to stay with starting today. When we met Doris today, Doris made it clear to us that as long as my mother didn't watch alot of tv, didn't talk to much, and didn't snore, and didn't mind it if the door was closed at night, she was welcome as Doris' new roommate.

The verse "our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God" is having more and more significance as I see my mother and others try to find their happiness and rest in earthly things.

I also think I am beginning to understand why she insists on always eating her dessert first. As things are being taken from her--her health, her possessions at home, her continence, her ability to make rational decisions etc. it is really the only thing she probably feels she has control of. Thank you for this site and for allowing me to vent a little:)

Hopeful2011 Jun 2011
Ha! To Jeanne-- I remember the proverb "a cheerful heart is good medicine; but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Prov. 17:22) May you continue to have a cheerful heart and a blessed day today!

jeannegibbs Jun 2011
Lol -- I often ask my husband which one of us has dementia! Yes, a little forgetfulness goes with the teritory, I think.

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Hopeful2011 Jun 2011
I just noticed that I related in Agingcare.com the same story in two days about my mother's roommate situation and her dementia. Should I be concerned about myself? I do seem to be more wrapped up in my mother's problems when I am with her--as well as away from her. Perhaps it comes with the territory?

Hopeful2011 Jun 2011
Thank you for your replies. This new transition of having a sudden role reversal sometimes seems overwhelming, but I know that God's grace is sufficient. If I do things to please my mother and look for her approval, I become more dissapointed, if I look to God and to what pleases Him, and ask Him for direction, then just do it, there is greater peace in my life (not necessarily my mother's). Dementia seems to have all kinds of manifestations--and I have noticed that my mother reacts more to how she feels about things, rather than having sound judgment. I'll check into the adult foster home; however with my mother's dementia, she now has "wandering" as one of new issues. I'm not sure if we have ADF's in CA or whether or not CalPERS long term insurance would help to pay for it. At this time they pay $50/day in an AL; $100/day at a Skilled Nursing. AL's here cost about $3,000 and up/month; SN is $6,000 and up. This week I plan to check some more possibilities; we are beginning to like this Conv./Rehab she is in.At this time she is a short-term resident, but in 2 weeks we have a choice to make it a long-term situation. She especially likes her mandatory physical therapy Rehab that meets 3x/week. Today mom is to be moved to a new room. We met her new roommate yesterday and "D" made it clear in no uncertain terms "that as long as mom wasn't gabby, didn't watch alot of tv, didn't mind if her room was closed at night and didn't snore--then they were sure to be good roommates..." Oh boy, we will see how it goes...:)

jeannegibbs Jun 2011
That is interesting, Nancy. I wasn't aware of such programs. Did your FIL have dementia?

NancyH Jun 2011
What about an adult foster home instead of a nursing home? My father-in-law stayed in one that had just the two residents in a home that had two little kids and a dog, all of which he thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe this won't work for you, but people seem to totally forget about foster homes for adults and instead jump right to a nursing home.

jeannegibbs Jun 2011
My heart goes out to you.

If your mother has dementia, it may not be possible to explain a rational concept to her. No matter how clear and simple you make it, it may not match her distorted version of reality. It may be that you have to make decisions in her best interest, if she has lost that ability. This role reversal is very difficult on both parties. Do your best. Don't beat yourself up that you can't do more than your best. Love your mother. Love yourself. Let go of what you can't change.

Hugs to you.

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