[Dreamer61]

Has anyone experienced moving a loved one here to an assisted facility? I'm wondering how the transition from one facility to one here would affect the individual. Especially if the person has dementia. I hear of people bringing their parents here and moving them into a facility here but I never hear how the parent or loved one does with the transition. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[ronsroni]

Funny how that escapes discussion. I will say that no matter where you place your L.O., she/he will be confused and seemingly lost a bit. I think a trial run of sorts can help. I would be happy to assist in that regard. Honestly. I am a retired by force nurse who has not figured out the "move along" button when reading posts. Let me know. Roni- 352-874-4118 loveto help.... no $$

[gomoho]

Dreamer - had mom in assisted living about an hour from here, but near my brother. When the decision was made she needed to move to memory care we decided to move her closer to me since I am retired and more available.

The move was very difficult for her and the staff kept telling me to give her time to adjust. It's been a little over a year and she has settled in as well as can be expected considering her dementia. The most difficult part is for them to re-establish a routine in their new surroundings, and I am talking things as simple as where their room is or the dining room, but a good, caring staff will work with the resident.

So yes, it can be done, especially if you choose the right facility. Good luck with whatever you decide - it's not easy.

[senior citizen]

I can echo what others have stated.

When we moved my mom in with us , prior to our short move to Florida in 1994, we had taken her from her two story home to a "flat" ranch style and then to a "flat" condo in Florida........she kept asking, over and over again, "Where is the bathroom?" "Do you have a bathroom in this house?"

She was used to having an upstairs and a downstairs.
Little things like that do add to their confusion.

She "forgot" how to turn the water faucets on and off.
The light switches were "different". Rocker switches compared to her old ones.

The elevators in the condo totally threw her for a loop, even though we would escort her onto it.......she never went alone. Having lived so long in a small town where she never had to use an elevator, it was foreign to her.

It's the little things that confuse them. If they have "Sundowner's Syndrome" whereby they wander during the night time hours, that complicates the situation more........especially in a new environment.

However, if she is going into a care facility, there will always be someone to help her and steer her in the right direction. They are trained in how to handle the folks with understanding and compassion........

If you had her at home.........like I did, that's a totally different story.
They ask a zillion questions as they are living in a "confused world".

Once we moved back north to our old neighborhood and bought a two story home with the bathrooms upstairs , she felt like she was "home" again....and would easily climb the stairs to her bathroom and bedroom.
She never once fell down the stairs, although I worried constantly that I would wake up to a disaster at the foot of the steps.

She lived with us for quite a long time before she went into assisted living and then the last 18 months of her life into skilled nursing care in an Alzheimer's unit.

GOOD LUCK. Great patience is needed, along with great love.
You will learn a lot on this journey....which you will carry with you forever.

Best wishes for an easy outcome for your loved one. Been there, done that.