Hello, 

My mom has vascular dementia mixed with Alzheimer's. She is high functioning however does get confused with where she is and time. She is independent in many ways with showering, eating and toileting. She went to this Memory Care facility unwillingly but once arrived and became involved with activities she enjoyed and met a couple of other women that were also high functioning she thoroughly enjoys living there. Lately, she feels like she is in a hotel, each night she calls to tell me she took a room in this nice place after being "out" all day with friends. Some friends went "home" and others were also getting a room. She finds it strange that her apt, looks like the same as her "house". She had her things packed into trash bags the other day and wanted me to take her and them back to her house. I tried to explain she is in her house and her home is being sold (she agreed to sell it to a relative). She asks how she got where she is and has no knowledge its been 2 months. She is becoming agitated and once again blaming me for her ending up there. I'm not sure how to handle this. Just when I think she'll forget by morning, she calls to tell me to bring a large bag so she can take her things home. I'm taking her for a manicure and lunch offsite today and worried, we will "get into" the discussion once again. It's so difficult because my mom is "with it" for the most part but her mind is definitely confusing her. I try to change the subject and sometimes that works. Today she had no idea why she was there and was determined to find her friend to see if she was going home too. She had no idea where the dining room was. I told her that a staff member would be coming shortly to give her daily meds and to show her where the dining room was and that I would be up later to go out for the afternoon. I left a message about an hour ago at the nurses station seeking help and wondering what has changed. Although some confusion has been present throughout her stay, she will normally accept my responses and go about her day. Anyone else have a similar situation after moving a LO to another place? I thought by now she would be settled. She seemed to settle in after a few days and now two months later is questioning everything and doesn't believe she's been there for 2 months. Thank you in advance for any insight. I will also search for similar topics within the forum. 

This must be very difficult for you, because there is no rhyme or reason with this disease. 

If I were in your shoes, I would not take her for anymore outings from the facility. I know you are trying to make it as pleasant as possible for your LO, but this may simply be adding to her confusion. I would also stop telling her that her house is about to be(or already is) sold. Try the many fiblets that folks here use when she asks to go back, such as the house needed some serious repair work, there was a gas leak in the neighborhood, etc. “Remind” her that she’s on holiday and still has another week that she paid for. You could also try saying that the facility is a fancy rehab prescribed by her doctor for whatever condition she might believe and tell her as soon as the doctor clears her, she can go home. Or try placating her with a promise of returning tomorrow(or in a few days) if that redirection might work. Just keep changing it up as needed, which is easier said than done since most of us find lying uncomfortable at the very least. 

Stay strong and remind yourself as needed that your mom is in the safest place she can be right now. 

Your post is similar to my post about a PWD suddenly showing more confusion and wondering about the cause.   My mom lives with us and we are seeing that here.  Is it due to a reversible problem like a UTI or the disease progressing more rapidly.?  

I don't have the answer and am trying to figure it out by eliminating physical issues like a UTI and will have a full blood panel run on her.  Beyond that, I'm not sure.  

I'm so sorry to hear this.  Sounds similar to my dad's experience first moving into AL, then transitioning to MC.  He would frequently ask me where he was, pack his things and tell me he's leaving. He would pack and unpack in the same day (including his cat one time).  One thing that helped me was to meet him where he was (mentally).  When he asked about leaving, I'd tell him I'll bring the car tomorrow, or he's staying while his plumbing is being fixed, we're at a hotel for the night.  Fibs like these seemed to re-direct him at least for a bit and we avoided an argument. 

At some point in the future you might consider not taking her out.  This was really hard for me as my dad's favorite places to go were the library and out to eat, but I noticed he would be more anxious and agitated during and after we returned.  It seemed that a change in place or routine affected him rather than giving him enjoyment. 

I hope this is helpful.  Best wishes to you.

IMO, PWDs need to live in a bubble.  They need a bubble to feel secure because their minds cannot handle changes. 

Iris

I moved my mom to AL / MC in November and the first couple of months were very very hard. I felt sick like maybe the move (she moved to a different state) made her worse because she was so disoriented in the beginning. Throughout the move process she kept asking me “where am I moving?” And I mean she was asking what city. She was moving to. She stayed with me for 2 nights before the actual move in and thought it was her house of 40 years. After she moved in, she would say “where do I live now?” It all felt horrible. Then, little by little, week by week, she adjusted. In her case, she is doing fantastic now. She had friends who’s she has meals with and although she isn’t so interested in the activities she reads, watches tv, and we (family) are in touch a lot. My sister and I were just talking tonight about how every month she seems a little more comfortable

VERY IMPORTANT: her being happier and more comfortable means exactly that. She genuinely is happier. But her memory has not improved.  She has good and bad days, but the decline has continued. I was so eager for a formal diagnosis and I now realize it doesn’t matter. The cognitive function won’t come back. that said, she, gets up every morning and takes care of herself, loves the food and friends she shares meals with, and I’m thrilled. 

So for your mom: try to have patience and realize she genuinely doesn’t understand where she is living and that’s ok. Last weekend,  in front of her building my mom told someone “oh, I don’t live here.” Then a minute later she told me she forgot for a second that she did. I just acted like it was no big deal and could happen to anyone. For me, I find just saying something like “oh, you know mom, you actually do live here now” works when she is not in distress. Otherwise, you could say “you know mom you are living here now but your house is fine. Whatever works. What always helps for me is being very reassuring and supportive in those moments, and whatever I can say that will do that seems to me fair game.

Doctor checkups are always good to rule out something physical. 

With all of this said, I’m still very new to this but my mom’s first few weeks were rocky, then it was good for a month, then a rough patch, now she seems really good again. Your mom is safe and that is what matters. 

Thanks for responding. Yes, my mom has also told friends on the phone that she's in a hotel. It's the saddest disease ever. I sit back and watch her decline. I did have her checked for UTI, she was fine. I also think taking her out less is probably helpful but she does so enjoy going out. We get a mani/pedi together and I'll take her to lunch on occasion but some of you have answered stating they get confused when the go out. I agree. She does seem to get agitated when she returns. It's like she needs to get back into her routine and is worried about it. The staff told me she works very hard to hide her deficits. It breaks my heart to hear this. But I can imagine she does. 

Thank you all for your responses and supportive words. They have all helped. Love this group!