How to handle forgetful times

ssstaj

Hello. Thank you for reading and providing some advice. 

My LO has started to have times that she thinks she is at work and needs a ride home. She lives in an assisted living facility currently and doesn't remember that it is her "new apartment". She does have times when she wanders so I'm trying to figure out the best way to calm her down and convince her she is in her apartment and no at work when she calls me asking for help. I have read some posts about giving bad news and that its best to not tell them the bad news over and over again (example- my parents are divorced but my LO is asking for my dad to come pick her up from work and I know it's not good to constantly tell her they are divorced again).  

I don't want to just go along with the thought in her head that she is at work because she may wander outside of the facility to "wait for her ride" but it is so hard to try and redirect her that she is at home in her apartment.  Any advice?

SusanB-dil

Hello ssstaj - welcome to 'here'...

What 'fiblet' might work for her and yourself?  Perhaps tell her that you will be there later?  Others may have a better option, but that is what i thought of.   You may want to consider something, though - that if she is wandering, and could end up a long ways away, is this the best place for her to be?   Also - do you have DPOA in place?  if not, do so asap.

ssstaj

She has only wandered to the front of the facility once and we are aware of that. Currently she is in the assisted living side and we are happy that the facility we chose does have a memory care side that we can "upgrade" her to when it is needed. The facility is great with redirecting her when needed and I do often call them to let them know she is seeming confused and they are quick to respond back. Thanks for the tip on trying to find some kind of little "fib" to ease the situation

sandwichone123

I'd probably tell her we're working overtime today. Depending on the work she's done in the past that might fly. But for jobs that have overtime, it can go on forever.