What can I do to get my mom back to the assisted living side of her facility?

Mockingbird, I know what you are feeling, as I had the same feelings when Dad's complex said it was time for Dad to move to the Memory Care side of Assisted Living.

Dad was living in a very nice full size apartment, but he was becoming more of a fall risk, was having sundowning, and the Staff said it is time to move or bring in 24-hour caregivers. We tried the professional Agency caregivers and that worked great but it was draining Dad's retirement funds. Dad wanted something less expensive so he agreed to Memory Care with a studio apartment because of all the money he would be saving. He loved all the attention he was getting, plus there were more men in this section so he was making new buddies :)

Yes, I had noticed some of the other residents who were much further along with their memory issues. But I also had noticed how quickly Dad's memory was disappearing, further along then I had thought... I had to remember this was my first rodeo, not that Staff's. So the Staff was right on target. I was able to sleep better at night knowing Dad was in a "locked building" because that was one of my fears of him just walking out the front door and getting lost.

Here in NY the state law says AL residents have to be able to get to and from the dining hall independently. They have to be compliant with staff directions. If they are a "Traveler" and are a risk of wandering off, they can't stay.