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.
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.
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.
One week at home is equal to about a month at most care facilities in my area (depending on care needs).
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.
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