Why did your LO move from AL to MC?

LaurieRZ

My mother moved to AL in December. I worry (maybe unnecessarily) all the time about them telling me she needs to move to MC. I mainly worry about the increased cost and her running out of money faster. I'm hesitant to ask the facility what would necessitate the move, because they also own the MC and I don't want them to recommend the move sooner than the would otherwise. She gets around great and is very active. She loves the activities they have, espcially BINGO. Her memory is so bad at this point that she thinks she drives home every day and spends the night and then comes to this place to place games and hang out with friends. The main problem they have with her is what they refer to as "mean girl, high school" behavior. She makes fun of people that complain and is ugly to a lot of the residents. She even told one lady that if she didn't stop doing whatever she was doing that she would lock her in her room. She's also resistant to them giving her a shower. She thinks she's perfectly normal and it's odd they would want to help her shower. I asked yesterday if they could just be in the room while she showers and see if that goes better. I'm just wondering what behavior or condition made your LO move from AL to MC?

SDianeL

I found this online.  When is it time to move from assisted living to Memory Care: "Wandering, aggression, frequent forgetfulness, poor hygiene and difficulty socializing."   Sounds like based on that definition , it might be time for your Mom. Don't they still have activities in MC?

LaurieRZ

They said they have even more activities in MC. It's the money I worry about more than anything. Once she moves to MC, I'm afraid she will go through her savings quickly and end up in a Medicaid funded NH.

Phoenix1966

Some memory care facilities have Medicaid beds available. However, residents private pay a few years before having access to them. 

Since you’re concerned about finances, make sure you search for facilities that potentially have them available(there is usually a waiting list for them). 

harshedbuzz

Phoenix1966 wrote:

Some memory care facilities have Medicaid beds available. However, residents private pay a few years before having access to them. 

This is not universally true. In some states, Medicaid does not fund memory care-- only skilled nursing and only for those who require that level of care. 

BassetHoundAnn

Incontinence and the inability to manage it alone is a big reason often cited as a reason to move to memory care. So is wandering. My mom was no longer going to meals and she was losing the ability to walk on her own.

Ed1937

Laurie, I don't know which state she is in. Did you check to see what Medicaid will pay for as far as MC or SNF? If in a SNF, will she have to need that service? Are there Medicaid beds available at any facilities near you? Is there a waiting list?

Hopefully you have all the legal papers you will need, such as medical and financial DPOA? If not, you should have at least one consult with a CELA (certified elder law attorney). They can give you answers on many things.

DebF1949

My MIL was just yesterday moved from AL to MC in the same facility.  The process was very rapid.  What precipitated the move was her increasing attempts to leave the facility unescorted.  She really doesn't know where she is. We live in Minnesota and she thinks she is in Michigan where she grew up.  She hasn't lived there in at least 50 years. Were she to have actually managed to leave the building she would have been completely lost, and most likely under dressed for the cold.   At the insistence of the AL staff we had her evaluated by her primary care.  Her PC's recommendation was for her to be moved in MC as things were only going to get worse. 

The move to MC was very rapid and to be honest it is proving to be a very difficult adjustment for her.  But, it is only the first day, and I am hopeful that things will improve in that regard over time.  Her dementia, sadly, will only worsen,

We also worry a bit about finances.  My husband estimates that at the current rate in the MC facility we have about 2-3 years.  After that, assuming she survives (she's 94 but in astonishingly excellent physical health) I'm not sure what we'll do.

Good luck.  These are hard decisions to make, emotionally and financially.

LaurieRZ

I can't imagine the adjustment and having to learn where their room is all over again, but I guess the caregivers help with that. Luckily, my mom is in their Type B AL, which has a locked door. They Type A does not. They said if cotinually tried to get out (even though she can't) she would need to move to MC. At this point, she knows the caregivers have to enter a code before the door will open. She hasn't tried to leave, but she does tend to rush the caregivers to open the door when someone is there. I think it's her southern hospitality and her not wanting the person outside to have to wait.

DebF1949 wrote:

The move to MC was very rapid and to be honest it is proving to be a very difficult adjustment for her.  But, it is only the first day, and I am hopeful that things will improve in that regard over time.  Her dementia, sadly, will only worsen,

LisaLH

My step father was in AL for about a 2 years and unfortunately kept trying or was getting out. Luckily for all of us he never left the parking lot. Always looking for his truck. When they mentioned for his safety and he had become incontinent, he would need to be moved to MC, I too worried about the expense. He has been in memory care for 1 1/2 years and I still worry about the money but I don't worry about him. I even moved him to one that was more expensive that had great reviews just to ensure my peace of mind. Will he run out of money before he passes? Maybe but I will deal with it then. This is just my thoughts on it. Everyone's situation is different. I hope you can find peace along the way.