Doors in AL and in Memory Care AL should have locks on them that the residents can use to avoid the scenario you mention here. If your mother is suffering from dementia, which I assume she is since you placed this question in the ALZ/dementia category, then when you move her to a Memory Care AL, make SURE each room has a lock on it. Some places will tell you 'it's against the law' which it's not. Each AL has it's own rules regarding door locks; the places that do not have locks on the doors ALL suffer from residents wandering into one another's rooms ALL the time. It goes with the territory for those suffering from ALZ and dementia.
My mother lives in a Memory Care AL that DOES have locks on each and every door; she carries her key on a cord on her wrist; if she forgets it, the CG will let her in. NOBODY can get into her room besides her and her CGs, that's it. It makes for a much more relaxed environment for all concerned, needless to say.
The way I look at it, all the ALFs could save themselves, the residents and the families a whole lot of headaches if they would install locks on each of the doors.
This is likely something that the staff has seen over and over again.
My granddad used to wander and since all the homes on his street were the same floor plan, he'd just walk into one when he got tired. The whole neighborhood knew him and would gently take him back home.
It was only when he became combative that grandma had to move him to a MC facility, where he lived for just a few months before passing.
The staff there were very used to wanderers--let your staff help you. You can't be there 24/7 to make sure he doesn't do this all the time. This exact dynamic is one of the things you pay for in a NH. And if he continues to get worse, you may need to make the move to a MC unit.
She apparently thought it was her room, so why would she want to leave? You've listed this question under Alzheimer's/dementia, so I can only guess that your mom is past the care of an assisted living facility, and it's time for her to move to memory care. Best wishes with making the transition with her.
You do not indicate if mom has dementia or not If so then AL might not be the right place Memory Care would be a better option. (problem with AL is IF she were to leave the building they really can not stop her and if she does have dementia she could just wander off and ...) I would lest staff handle the situation. Most are trained so that they will redirect conversations, activities and other behaviors. If this happens when you are with her try getting her to "go for another walk" "lets go get some juice and a cookie" or other activity that will divert her attention. In the mean time try hanging something pretty and eye catching on her door so that hers stands out from others.
She probably belongs in a memory care, not assisted living.
The staff should be trained to handle these issues, but the residents have a right to be safe in their own apartments. You will likely be asked to find other accommodations for her if this happens again.
How long has she been living there? Have there been any dramatic changes in her surroundings or her lifestyle? Covid has thrown our well run AL into an almost unrecognizable place when compared to the residence my LO entered.
Populations in ALs may influence the level of expectations placed on residents. In some situations, your mother’s actions might be considered no big deal, but in some, the same action might indicate the need for more supervision and care.
You and the staff will have the opportunity to discuss how and why this happened and what should be done to manage her situation in the future.
My LO was moved to a higher level of care, a locked Memory Care unit, soon after entering her residential care center.
My mother lives in a Memory Care AL that DOES have locks on each and every door; she carries her key on a cord on her wrist; if she forgets it, the CG will let her in. NOBODY can get into her room besides her and her CGs, that's it. It makes for a much more relaxed environment for all concerned, needless to say.
The way I look at it, all the ALFs could save themselves, the residents and the families a whole lot of headaches if they would install locks on each of the doors.
My granddad used to wander and since all the homes on his street were the same floor plan, he'd just walk into one when he got tired. The whole neighborhood knew him and would gently take him back home.
It was only when he became combative that grandma had to move him to a MC facility, where he lived for just a few months before passing.
The staff there were very used to wanderers--let your staff help you. You can't be there 24/7 to make sure he doesn't do this all the time. This exact dynamic is one of the things you pay for in a NH. And if he continues to get worse, you may need to make the move to a MC unit.
If so then AL might not be the right place Memory Care would be a better option.
(problem with AL is IF she were to leave the building they really can not stop her and if she does have dementia she could just wander off and ...)
I would lest staff handle the situation. Most are trained so that they will redirect conversations, activities and other behaviors. If this happens when you are with her try getting her to "go for another walk" "lets go get some juice and a cookie" or other activity that will divert her attention.
In the mean time try hanging something pretty and eye catching on her door so that hers stands out from others.
The staff should be trained to handle these issues, but the residents have a right to be safe in their own apartments. You will likely be asked to find other accommodations for her if this happens again.
Populations in ALs may influence the level of expectations placed on residents. In some situations, your mother’s actions might be considered no big deal, but in some, the same action might indicate the need for more supervision and care.
You and the staff will have the opportunity to discuss how and why this happened and what should be done to manage her situation in the future.
My LO was moved to a higher level of care, a locked Memory Care unit, soon after entering her residential care center.