Memory care(7)

SharonLA

Hi, this is my first post. 

Mom is 87 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2019 but we believe she had it much earlier. Dad’s health was getting worse so I retired from my job, sold my house and moved from the West Coast to the East Coast to care for my parents. Dad passed 6 months later and mom moved in with me and my husband. The beginning of this year mom was assessed as late middle stage. Since moving in with me she has had nine episodes of passing out which the doctors can’t seem to decide what has caused them. Most recently they believe it might have been mini strokes. Since the last one I have seen a significant decline in her health. She has difficulty standing, walking, sitting and balance. She is sleeping more and eating less and doesn’t have much interest in anything. She requires full time care and much help with all ADL’s. We have looked into memory care centers but not sure if it’s too early or maybe a bit late for placement. We also worry about how it might affect her and if she will get the care she needs. Most have only a few persons to assist residents in the memory section, 2 per every 16. In addition not knowing how long care will be needed worried how long the cost of care be sustained. With all of the information on this disease I am still unsure where we are at with it. The many doctors we have seen haven’t been as helpful as I had hoped. Losing your loved one this way is so sad and overwhelming to deal with.  Any thoughts on the MC are appreciated.

May flowers

I don’t think it’s too late or early for placement. Ours would house a resident through hospice (but a lot of extra fees applied with the more advanced care)

I would look for a MC that  specializes in dementia (with activities and hands on care). The caregiver to patient ratio you mention is not very good. Ours was one to 6. Do you have other options in you area?

harshedbuzz

My experience is a bit different than what May Flowers said.

If your mom needs help with most of her ADLs some kind of in-facility care would be an appropriate option- either a MCF or SNF.

Every MCF I toured did allow a resident to age-in-place which is a gentler way of say die here.  But all had criteria for the PWD's abilities upon admission-- this window could close abruptly if a person had a bad fall or stroke. Most wanted the PWD to be ambulatory (Some allowed a person who could get around with a wheelchair, others did not) and able to self-feed. There is also an expectation that family will provide additional help on their own dime as care needs increase-- this might be hospice or private duty aides. This allows them to have a range of needs which allows the 2 aides/16 beds (assuming they're all filled/fwiw each hall in dad's MCF had 10-12 beds with 2 aides and typically had about 8 residents at a time) to care for everyone because some residents are bedbound and cared from by others while some need only prompts for their ADLs which balances it out. 

MCFs typically have their DON assess each resident before offering a bed. If your mom doesn't pass the screening, a SNF would be the next level of care.

HB