Sibling has undiagnosed dementia of some sort. He is only 62. Doctor has him set for the full 4 hour battery of tests next month. He has a lot of difficulty with short term memory. He is having hallucinations and is on antiphyscotics which seem to make him more calm about the weird things he dreams up, but do not change the amount of delusions he is having. He lives alone and really has no one except me and his nephew who has durable POA. We both think he would be happier and most important safer, in some type of assisted living environment. We think he would benefit from a routine and people to talk to although he does get on people's nerves as he is VERY opinionated. He is physically in good shape so can still do a lot of things for himself, but needs to be reminded to do things like take a shower. How do you determine what type of setting would be best? Can you make him do it if he doesn't want to? We had thought of somebody coming to his house too, but think he would have an issue letting someone in he doesn't recognize (and he will probably forget them from the day before) and he can be very confrontational. I don't want anyone to get hurt.
My mother is definitely better off living in a Memory Care Assisted Living community due to the level of her needs and how much of a social creature she is. Truth is, she'd be bored stiff living with me because there's no Activity Director or chef or staff of caregivers here. #Truth
See how things play out with his tests and what his doctor has to say afterward. Be sure to let him know about the confrontational behaviors you've witnessed as well, as they will need to be addressed no matter where he winds up living.
Good luck!
This would be something to discuss with the doctor and get their take on the situation.
A lot may depend on the cause of the hallucinations and delusions. And is there a possibility that he could become violent?
Once diagnosed with dementia I would think the POA becomes effective although if he is high functioning I would still give him some autonomy.
If you aren't given specific care need level information, ask for it. Don't be afraid of getting a 2nd opinion if you need or want also.
Just keep in mind who is giving the advice. An agency may know what clients need based on a medical diagnoses - or not. They may be 'not for profit' or very much FOR profit. Same with care homes.
I have experience of one (unscrupulous) agency advising & charging my relative for un-needed 24 hour care.