How to transition LO to MC

Mary1981

My LO has lived with us for 4

years. We're in the process of moving her to a MC facility. She has ALZ and is early stage 6. Any words of wisdom on how to tell a LO they are moving? We've mentioned it a few times but it's quickly forgotten. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

M1

Hi Mary. I don't think it matters whether you tell her or not. I probably wouldn't. My partner went to her first MC facility from the hospital and then moved to a different facility after a year. She doesn't remember either move, doesn't remember being in the hospital, doesn't remember the first facility. In fact doesn't remember living with me at home before that. She'll sometimes ask "what is this place?" and I'll tell her she's there to get physical therapy on her back, but mostly it doesn't come up. She is also somewhere late stage 5/early stage 6.

The day you take her, i would just let the staff call the shots about getting her settled. They may ask you to not visit for a period of time to let her accommodate. I guarantee you that will be harder on you than on her, because she probably has very little sense of time.

I hope it goes well for you. Keep us posted.

forbarbara

Welcome. I hope this online community will be a source of comfort, suggestions, humor - whatever you need.

I was advised not to tell MIL when she moved to MC. I did end up telling her but honestly I don’t think it mattered. The decision and the move was far more difficult for me than it was for her. MIL has dementia but not AZ. She actually improved for about six weeks at MC but then had a steep decline.

Every MC is different. Mine provides pretty good care for MIL but is absolutely terrible at communication among their own staff and with me. The people closest to MIL - the CNAs who bathe, dress, etc - are best at letting me know how she is doing and the medical staff is the worst.

My biggest surprise was how happy she’s been at MC! I hope the same will be true for you and your loved one.

Marp

When we moved my dad into MC, he transitioned from a psych hospital to the MC so we told him the doctor said he needed more treatment but had to go to a different place to get it.