MIL’s dementia has progressed to the point we have to move her out of her IL studio into an AFH for dementia patients.
We did a swift move. In the last couple of months she was so out of it, that although we told her she’s moving to a new place and we’re packing up right in front of her, she’s totally unaware of the move.
We took her to the new place, and told her this is your new room, she was confused and then angry. We left. Then the phone calls started.
Maybe it’s the shock, or the anger, suddenly her brain kicked into high gear, like rewinding the time for at least 18 months. She’s speaking somewhat coherently, making demands that we come and get her. She seems so lucid, her mental alertness seems to have improved so much by her anger.
Has anyone seen something like this before? Now we feel terrible because she’s so lucid. It would’ve been better if she’s out of it. I wonder how long is this going to last? Anyone with similar experience?
I think the only thing she got better at is speech. The rage seems to suddenly boost her verbal skill.
My mother can have a perfectly fine conversation and not remember any of it 5 minutes later. She can be in the moment and yet display very bad judgement when it comes to safety or her limitations. My point is you cant just base her level of cognitive function just by her seemingly lucid demands to leave the facility.
Can you ask the staff to encourage her to participate in any activities there? Perhaps they can give her a "job" to do there which will make her feel valued and important. If she makes a friend, or gets interested in something going on there, it may be a big help in transitioning her to her new digs. Best of luck to you.
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