MIL has been in MC for 7 months now. It has been a rough adjustment but finally she is comfortable. She has a beautiful view out of her room as well as "her" spot in the lounge where she sits and basks in the sun all afternoon. It took her months to come out of her room, with the help of the MC director and us bringing her out. It is her only preferred activity, sitting basking in the sun. She does not participate in any other activities actively but does join in verbally by giving answers, singing or suggestions. We have been so pleased with her engagement and getting out of her room that took 5-6 months. There are currently 3 residents in MC as it is new, just opened 7 months ago. Although we have some issues in other areas that I have posted about previously and they are working on solutions, today's news threw us for a loop. We were told that they are moving the MC unit to the other side of the building(same floor). When asked why, we were told that it was the original place when the building was designed and that it is larger so the lounge is larger and can be combined as dining and lounge. There is also a suite they say they will turn into an activity room. My question to the facility is...is this in the best interest of your residents? You have to move 3 AL residents who just moved in to another area and move your 3 MC residents who are all comfortable where they are. The facility's answer was, the move will give them larger space, room for 20 residents opposed to 15 (mind you no one new has moved in in months) and the larger space will provide an area for a hot service bar for meals rather than their meals being brought in on trays to their current area.
Mine and my family's concern is.....the adjustment. We have contemplated a few times with past issues on moving MIL, but the transition would not be great for her so we kept her here and hopefully can work out the kinks, like I said MC is new to the facility. Now, the facility is suggesting the move, not out but to another area, which basically would be the same as moving her to another facility as far as someone with dementia goes. Her room is an exact replica except for her view and it is on the opposite side of the hall.
We are curious if anyone has had the experience of a facility moving a department when residents are already there and acclimated? Are they prepared for the transition? Is it fair to put them through another transition? So many questions going on in my head. The only pro that we can see is that the MC director is the absolute best and adores her 3 residents and 2 specific nurses are the best as well. We have the weekend to make a decision....move within the facility or move facilities.......as they are planning on the move next week.
If there are other issues at this MC that you aren't happy with, combined with a forced move you're unhappy with, it might not be a bad idea to move her out of there entirely. Do you have another option to a Memory Care AL that's established and has more residents living there? My mother lived in a MC with 23 residents total, more like 20 at any given time. Since quite a few of them spent time in their rooms and not socializing, it looked fairly empty there at any given time. I can't imagine what a facility with THREE residents looks like!
It's nice that the MC director is the best, but that can be subject to change TOO. There's no telling if this director will be with the MC next week, or offered another position elsewhere or decide to quit. Turnover in this industry is HUGE. So if you're leaving MIL there b/c of a great director, that's not enough of a reason in and of itself, in my opinion.
Finally, IDK what stage of dementia your MIL is at; when my mother lived in MC and was in the advanced stage of the disease, she insisted the caregivers were 'moving her to a new hotel every night' and the new hotel room looked just like the old one. She also insisted they took her to different restaurants every night, which was just a figment of her imagination. My point is, your MIL may not be very upset at ALL with a move if she's in the later stages of dementia. You may expect the worst but have it turn out for the best, who knows?
Wishing you the best of luck whatever you wind up doing.
that is exactly what I told them today….sounds like poor planning when the building was built.
we as a family are weighing the pros and cons, and regardless a move is a move
My mother started in one nursing home, and after seven months of not leaving her room, I moved her 40 miles away to a memory care closer to me. She settled in just fine and that was with all new surroundings and people. Your mom will be moving with familiar faces who'll still be there to care for her, plus I'll bet the general feel of the new unit will be very similar to the current one.
I think you're overreacting to this. Don't make such a big deal out of it to your mom either and add to any anxiety she might have. Set up her room exactly as it is now, and the staff will take care of the rest. She'll settle just fine.
I'm just interested in how a memory care hasn't had anyone move in in seven months. That's unheard of.
i wish everything good for your MIL and you! :)
in the end, you know best what to do. you know the full picture. i’m sure whatever you decide, is the right way :).
you wrote:
“MC director is the absolute best and adores her 3 residents and 2 specific nurses are the best as well”
for me: that would be very important.
it’s rare to find competent/kind/caring caregivers (whether hired for home, or facility).
so, when one finds them, good to keep them.
of course, staff can change. but it’s great you like the current staff.
a room with a view…
(i think we’ve all seen the movie)
:)
that would matter to me too, for my LO. you know best, all the factors.
by the way:
that room in the movie is a real room/apartment! it’s in florence, italy! :)
i lived in florence - and i went to a party in that room :).
i was a student. and the room was being rented by one of my friends (also a student).
hug!
wishing us all a good weekend!! :)
bundle of joy :)