My dad, after heart issues and diagnosed with dementia, he is only 73 years old, moves to a long term home tomorrow. He has been in hospital 5 months waiting for a bed. I did try to take care of him a few times, it was too difficult for me alone. Because of Covid I can not meet him there or set his room up. I just can’t take the heart break I am feeling for he and myself thinking of him. Drs. thought it best not to mention the move until morning. I’ve done research etc. and during covid feel lucky to find a place for him close to my home and his grandaughters. How will I know he is ok??? He has been everyone’s favorite and can do most things on his own. But needs 24/7 medication and meal preparation as well as needing a secure unit due to wanting to go home and wander. Any advice? After 14 days we can visit through glass.. but that doesn’t seem enough THANK YOU
I must have made quite an impression on staff because about 18 mos later I got a call from the Admin stating that they had just developed a new job position and his staff suggested that I would be perfect for it! Took the job and had a blast with it - Resident Advocate - for 6 years until I retired.
Call him each day at a set time. Send him funny cards, drawings that the grands have made.
Covid has made these sorts of tough decisions even harder than they were before. ((((((((Hugs))))))))
Set up some facetime meetings and the window visits are a lot better than you THINK they are. My mother lives in Memory Care and we go over for a window visit every Sunday & it's FINE. She's sitting not 2 feet away from us & we're showing her photos of the great grandkids on our phones. I also bring her treats & snacks, new tops & necklaces, etc., and just brought her a bottle of Versace perfume for her 94th birthday.
It's all enough, what you're doing, so be happy he's alive and living in a safe environment. Ditch the guilt and the sorrow and find joy in the fact that you KNOW your dad will be well cared for moving forward and OUT of the hospital!
Good luck!
Are you able to send him a care package? Notes and pictures (maybe a photo album) and cozy socks and a blanket or a relaxing ,color changing bedside light. Could he have an iPad (with a kid safety cover) where you could FaceTime?
Im sorry you’re going through this. Please update when you can. Huge hugs to you!!!
She became friendly with the staff and asked if she could FaceTime with her mom everyday.
They agreed. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a nurse or social worker.
My friend said that the activity director has more time to volunteer for her request to help her mom FaceTime.
The nurses are swamped with work and won’t have time.
Best wishes to you and your family.
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