She has been going in the rooms of other residents, when their doors are open, and taking things. Then when those things are being taken back by a caregiver, she gets upset, saying it's a family heirloom etc. The center says the rest of the residents are afraid to leave their doors open now. They think she would be better served in memory care now. My misgivings are that she is happy where she's at, familiar and has her own restroom which she uses independently. The new room will have a restroom a door down across the hall. . My aunt doesn't use a walker or wheelchair, but is in beginning middle stages Alzheimers. What can I do to make her OK with the change???
Memory care wings can be very nice. They're usually decorated differently than the rest of the facility with different "stations" placed here and there that are designed to capture the interest of the people who live there. At one station there may be a puzzle, at another station there may be some photo albums. I visited a memory care facility once where there was a large and ornate coat rack that had numerous old hats for the ladies to try on and they loved it.
Be matter of fact with your aunt when she changes rooms. She may look to you as to how to feel about the change. Be positive and enthusiastic.
Try to have a positive attitude because any reservations that you have will be picked up by your aunt. If you look at this as a positive move - that she'll be safer in an environment that is set up for people with memory issues - your energy will help her.
Yes, change is hard for someone with AD. However, not to move her isn't likely an option since the residents have a point and the facility has accommodations for your aunt's present needs.
If she moves now, it will be easier than fighting the issues, waiting awhile, and then making a change later on. Sometimes we have to go with the flow. If you are reasonably happy with the facility, go into this with enthusiasm and support her throughout. She'll complain, but just be matter of fact, as Everishlass has suggested.
Update us when you can.
Carol
I tried to always tell my loved one that residents and staff really liked her and thought a lot of her. I told my loved one that a resident or staff member had confided in me that she was the most friendly and kind resident they had and such a pleasure to have as a resident. For her, it helped her feel welcome and more comfortable. I told her this, even when it wasn't true, even though she would forget.
I had to move my loved one from regular assisted living to Secure Memory Care at a different facility. It went very smoothly and I saw an immediate improvement. She seemed so much more comfortable there. For her, it was the right level of care.
If her existing place is recommending Memory Care, then I would consider the options and consider if she would do any better at another regular assisted living facility. I don't know of any Assisted Living facility that doesn't have missing items issues. Most just deal with it, but I suppose they have to respond based on the severity of the problem.
Eventually, she will not be able to utilize a private bathroom, though, my loved one's unit has private bathrooms in each room. I don't think there are any who use them unassisted though.
After a couple of weeks, my loved one had no memory of the previous Assisted Living facility.
Good Luck!
I admit my Mom is fortunate enough to have assets for that.
With the way old men miss the toilet, and old people in general mess up a bathroom I still don't understand how it can be done or designed that way. At least not at the room rates that memory care units are charging (baseline $5000 per month at the ones I saw). And the way my mom's bathroom gets nobody else should be in there with her anyway because her belongings are everywhere.
Needless to say, your aunt should be fine. If you need to tell her a white lie as to why the move, such as a pipe broke in her current room and this is the room they had available or they had some remodeling to do and the noise would be too loud, etc. then so be it. Just as long the facility is on board and they can come up and go along with the story. It will be easier for you, your aunt, and the translation all together.