She is 81 yeas old. I have someone there from noon to 5 pm to be a companion, make sure she eats lunch and dinner, do light housekeeping and laundry and take her to store or lab appts. She usually stays in bed until about 10 am reading. then gets up, bathes herself and dresses herself. about 5 when the caregiver is getting ready to leave she usually puts on het pjs and gets ready for bed. she spends almost all her time in her room sitting in her bed listening to books on tape or watching TV. She started falling down and doesnt know how or when but has a lump on her forhead and she feel down at senior excercise the other day. I manage all her bills and run her home and take her to all Dr. appts and manage all that, she can no longer drive, use online services or email, she has a raz memory phone. Debating round the clock care at home or assisted living.
Do you ask her about what she reads? If she remembers or knows what she read? I would be surprised if she remembers based on having Alz.
When a person falls down and doesn't remember ... injures themselves and doesn't know what happened, it is a major red flag that they should not be on their own. She needs supervision.
As you say she's been diagnosed, what does her primary health care professional say / suggest?
Did you call / contact the Alz Association? I would do that ASAP.
If she can afford around the clock (24/7) care, then decide what extenuating health / medical needs she has which may require add'l care what she cannot get at home (at this time). If she has to go 'back and forth' to / for hospitalization or medical MD visits, it may not be the best course of action.
Check out facilities NOW yourself.
Ask all your questions (write them down)
- What services do you provide?
- How often does a staff person check in on her?
- How much / what kind of socialization is offered?
I recommend she NOT be going to a senior exercise class.
There are balance issues, in addition to cognitive decline.
It is not safe for her to be unescorted, or even in, an exercise class, unless it is chair yoga. She needs to be stabilized (sitting on a chair) to avoid falling.
Do do not ask her what she wants. She will want to stay home - be in an environment that is familiar, with family. No one wants to go to a facility.
However, you CAN make her (facility) room as similar to her current room by bringing in her furniture, family and other photos, etc.
- You tell her it is temporary while you are getting her room 'fixed up' (i.e., electrical work needing to be done, painting, dealing with the roof repairs.
THE KEY IS TO KEEP HER AS CALM AS POSSIBLE. So you tell her what will keep her calm, and that is generally or at times, H-O-P-E. Leave that door open for her to come back home.
Or depending on how she processes some information, tell her you and her are going to visit a friend.
Thank you for asking. This is a very difficult time for you / the family, and her. Be compassionate and do what is in her best welfare.
Gena
Assisted living does not stay in the room with residents, and can not prevent a patient from falling.
Actually, no one can prevent her from falling. You can try and implement safer mobility aids and do your best to remove trip and fall hazards, but there is no way to prevent someone from falling.
A wheelchair at home is a good idea, if you can get her to use it.
At some point soon, she may need a skilled nursing facility. If you are in the position to hire someone in her home over nights, I would do that until it is no longer a safe arrangement, then move her to skilled nursing. You can skip the assisted living.
Short term I'd extend her hours, perhaps extend from 10 am - 8:00 pm or 8:00 am- 6:00 pm whatever works best.
One week at home is equal to about a month at most care facilities in my area (depending on care needs).
I am of the belief that when a person is diagnosed with any form of dementia they should not be living alone.
You NEVER know what is going to happen, when there will be a sharp decline, When will they begin to wander, when they will leave the water on, when they will "fiddle" with the heat, the stove or answer the door or phone to someone looking to scam or rob them.
Your LO is falling and has no clue as to how, where, when.
What would happen if she fell shortly after the caregiver left and could not get up and was not found until noon the next day.
What would happen if she decided to go get the mail and wandered off and was not "missed" until late the next day?
If she can afford 24/7 caregivers obviously that is the ideal situation as long as the house is such that she will still be able to manage once she is having to use a wheelchair or the caregivers have to use a Hoyer to transfer her. And do you have a bathroom large enough for at least 2 or 3 people?
If a facility placement is what you decide upon skip the AL and go to MC. If she can manage AL now in 6 months maybe more or fewer she may have to move again to MC.
If there is the possibility that she may have to apply for Medicaid select a facility that will accept Medicaid you do not want to have to look for another facility.
Good luck to you.
I would discretely visit some facilities, figure out if she's appropriate in AL or MC, and then figure out how/if she can pay for it. Make sure you look at only places that have Medicaid beds, and that you know how and when Medicaid can be applied for in your Mom's home state.
Then, you ay wish to tell her a therapeutic fib that she needs to go to a "rehab residence for a while" to address her balance issues. Her falling is never going to stop in a facility since there's no way to prevent residents from getting up out of chairs or beds, If they don't remember to use a walker, or refuse, there's not much anyone can do. Just have tempered expectations.
I wish you success in finding the right care arrangement for the both of you.