Making the hard decision that LO needs assisted living

MizRuby

Hello all-

I think I’m just looking for some reassurance that this is the right thing. 

So my LO is 74 diagnosed Alzheimer’s in September 2021.  I’d say about a stage 5 Her neurologist recommended that she no longer lives alone.

Lives alone in a rapidly falling apart home. Sadly, I don’t have the ability to care for them at home or visit daily.  

 They can no longer drive, manage money or understand the value, cook or shop alone. They are loosing the ability to assemble a sandwich or reheat food and sometimes forgetting to eat.  They have lost most of their ability to use electronics except calling and texting on cell phone. They are bathing only occasionally if reminded.  They are not exit seeking but have become disoriented walking in their neighborhood.

A few weeks back they cut themselves bad enough to require care but not stitches while trying to trim toenails.  (They never did trim the nails). Their foot bleed all day in their shoe until I saw a wince of pain. They had no idea the wound should have been washed, bandaged etc  after I cleaned it up they wanted to put he bloody sock back on  

They are still in great physical health and have a very social demeanor. 

Why do I feel so bad for thinking they need assisted living?  I worry we are one bad accident away form tragedy. Am I being over protective?  Is it ever too soon?  Or will I regret it is too late? I could use your advice.  

FYI. I have POA and all legal paperwork done. Location Oregon 

Stuck in the middle

It absolutely is time.  Your LO is in danger and needs help and chose you to get them that help when they appointed you the POA.  Do it ASAP.

May flowers

It is a hard decision, and you will find a lot of good support and information here.

My FIL was almost exactly at the stage you described when we placed him in Memory Care. It was a much better fit than AL would have been - more activities, one on one attention, and lower caregiver to resident ratio. Physically, he was active and had no health issues and was able to socialize and make friends there.