Do you take out Alzheimer's patients out of the NH for outings and holidays?

We thought it would be ok to bring MIL to our house for the holidays, as it was not HER house, and maybe she would be ok. Well she was all day.. but when hubs and DD tried to take her back to MC..she threw a hissy fit and they had a heck of a time getting her out of the car! All for some pictures that my FIL ( Her hubs) Wanted that show her slumping in her wheelchair, him asleep beside her, you get it! Those last holiday pictures were not worth the effort, and FIL who wanted them hates them! The pictures that were taken at the MC during their meals with family were much happier. we used to bring my grandmother home from her NH for holidays she was mostly confused and slept through the day

No, that is their home now, taking them out only causes more issues for them. My brother & I are having dinner with his father and step mother tomorrow at the home. They are happy to see us and we will leave it at that.

I would let her be, why stir up the pot, do the right thing for her, not what you want to make you feel better.

She won't be cognizant of the actual holiday, so we've taken a small visit/celebration to my MIL in LTC (favorite foods, favorite people) nothing too "busy" or loud as it will just confuse and exhaust her. Even if you are doing it for yourself, that's ok!

When my MIL first went into LTC we tried to bring her home for holidays, carrying her 180 lbs in a wheelchair up the very steep side yard (in the freezing, snow covered MN winter) and then realizing our small bathroom could not accommodate the wheelchair and she soiled her Depends and we couldn't help with cleaning her up and she was stressed and it was very smelly. In the end all we did was orbit around her while neglecting other guests and feeling stressed and hurried. Then she insisted on going back early. (They eat a lot earlier than the average non-NH resident). We were all exhausted by end of the holiday. It was difficult to give up having all our LOs gathered. We had to work on that mentally and emotionally. Blessings!

The facility should have something family can join in.

It really depends on where she is in this journey. My Mom lasted about an hour when we took her out.

How many people are going to be there? Will there be screaming kids and crying babies? Is your family loud? This can cause anxiety in a person suffering from Dementia. And it can carry over at the AL.

If its going to be a pretty quiet get together, I would take her right before dinner is served and back to the AL as soon as u see agitation. I would have people hold back on hugs and don't bombard GMom. It can be very overwhelming for her.

You can ask staff at the NH what they think.