Wondering about how your loved one did in memory care....
Has anybody found that memory care helps a loved one? My mom is in independent living with caregivers, but she is declining so much and scared and paranoid. The CCR where she lives wants to discuss AL or memory care. I think she's too far along for AL. I am trying to keep her in her place as long as possible, but have started to wonder if she might be better off with people around 24/7 and people who know dementia and are prepared to deal with it. A couple of people have said they are actually better off bc they feel more functional when they are with others at their level. This place is pretty exclusive and has separate wigs for mild and moderate (and skilled nursing in a separate floor). The other factor is that I heard they only have 1 bed left in memory care and I would not want her placed out as this is 15 min from my work and not much further from my home. Obviously I am feeling guilty about her move, but I also really wonder if it is really caring to leave her on her own so much of the day when she is showing up at the dining room looking for breakfast at night and thinks somebody is stealing all her things ...
Memory Care was the best move we could make. She was a little better off mentally than the other ladies when she first came, but she's right there with them now. She enjoys Sunday entertainment too, even though she claims she does not. The girls all clap and sing along to whatever is being played, and it's like she's in college again. She even called my husband to ask him to call her mother and tell her that she will be coming home for summer break soon, so she must feel that way too. :)
MC worked for my Mom (I feel). She was with people all day long. They checked on her each hour. Brought her to meals. There was outside entertainment regularly along with scout groups, religious services and visitors. None of this happens at home. So for me, I think it worked. BTW I didn't use the MC at the CCC as it was farther from us and didn't have as good a reputation. some were shocked we took her out of the CCC but we were happy with the place we took her to. NOT that it was perfect, but it was better than other options. Believe me when I say we visited 10 different places!!! Good luck