Depending on his ability to remember or if he has Alz or some other form of dementia-you can tell him what will cause him the least amount of distress. A lie, or fiblet, may be best-like dad, you are staying at this senior hostel till we get the leaking basement/attic fix and mom is staying with us. Or a half truth- dad, you are here to get some rehab on that stiff knee/hip. Tell the truth if you think he can digest it but not if it will cause him depression and lost of hope. I have seen families use many tactics.

When I put my mother in a MC for respite-I told her she was in a senior hotel while I went out of town on business. She had always believe that work obligations were important and anytime I left the house I told her I was off to work.  (Of course her caregiver was with her-not a good idea to ever leave a dementia patient alone.) Even though I saw her everyday at the MC, I told her the same story each evening because she couldn't remember from minute to minute. During the day she was engaged in the routine of the MC and probably felt something was amiss, but not enough to cause her distress. Good luck!

We did not tell my MIL or DD when  placement was necessary as both were beyond remembering from one day to the next. Thus we went the route of, "The Dr. says you need to be here for observation and until they have figured out your medications." It doesn't mean it wasn't a rough ride to start but they were both where they belonged as we were neither qualified or able to meet either of their needs at the time.

Blessings.

When I had to get my friend (I'm POA) into MC (against her will, due to denial of wandering issue) co-located with an AL place we had talked about visiting for their free lunch and tour, I had to schedule that right after a visit to her doctor to have Doctor's Orders signed before MC would admit her.  She was sold on the free