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My mother, 90 years old, suffers from dementia, and has been in assisted living, mental ward, for three months. Recently her personal care was increased from an additional $1,500 a month to $2,000, this is in addition to room and board of $5,000 a month. My mother claims she can and does these things (shower, bathroom, dressing, etc) herself, but she is on the mental ward., Thanks.

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Kevin; I never really believed that my mom had dementia until the moment when I was sitting at her beside in rehab, having just watched her be given her afternoon meds by nurse Nancy. As she took the last pill, mom said to me angrily "you know, I have to manage my medications by myself here".

I said, timorously "Mom, what do you mean? The nurse just gave you your meds?" My mother looked at me contemptuously and pointed her crooked arthritic finger at her water pitcher and gave me one of her "significant" looks.

I glanced at nurse Nancy who smiled sympathetically.

In your case, I think perhaps being on the ground, so to speak, with your mom for a few hours might tell you all you need to know about your mom's capacity to manage on her own.
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Rainmom, same issue on charges with MIL!! think of it, an aide gets the assignments for the shift. As each person refuses services, they have more time for the break room.
Kevin, there are memory care facilities in NJ that have a flat rate per month. Residents are given additional servies , no charge as they are needed. Otherwise, there is a sliding scale at most facilities. The 'mental ward' aspect -- I am not familiar with.
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I think you have to take what your mother says she can do independently with a grain of salt - especially if she suffers from dementia.

Of course their vision of reality is skewed but beyond that - if there is any cognitive thinking, I doubt she wants to admit you herself or you that she isn't capable of taking care of her own basic needs.

But do follow up on the additional services the AL staff say they are providing. I know in my own mothers situation the staff indicated they were showing my mom a couple of times a week - but in reality, they weren't. When I asked about it they said my mom refused showering. I needed to get firm with the staff in saying they either get her in the shower or they quit charging us for extra duties they weren't preforming.
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