Is there a way I can switch my father to assisted living?

How long has he been at this particular place? If the place and staff are positive, pleasant and competant....LEAVE HIM THERE. It does take time for them to settle in. It seems that they all hate it at first and make a mission out of finding things to be unhappy about. The fact that you have a NP and a dietician on your team there, communicating and trying to help, is a HUGE asset. Sounds like he needs to be there long enough to settle in. My father took about a year. Now he likes it and loves the staff.

Bev, we have all been there, thinking we need to do more for our parent, and worry about all the "what ifs" and there are a ton of those.

You need to tell yourself over and over you are doing all that you can in your Dad's best interest. My gosh you have had to move Dad numerous times to help make him content. And moving isn't easy. You've gone above and beyond in my book.

Even if you could move Dad to his own place, he wouldn't be happy there.... you could move him to your own house, and again he wouldn't be happy. it's tough getting older having multi-medical issues, it can make anyone pretty grumpy. Especially if you need someone to help you get dress.... [sigh].

Wow, thanks so much for all your advice. Greatly appreciated. I'm check on memory care facilities.

Bevbloom106,
It sounds like you may be trying to please your father and that may not be possible. People with dementia are often troubled, worried, discontented and concerned. Your father may not be happy regardless of where he is living or what he is eating. I'd read a lot about dementia and how it causes the brain to work in ways that are not like what we are used to.

Have you actually checked out that he remembers what foods were served at meal time? I'd make sure that he's remembering what he ate and that he's not having delusions about bad food.

I'm not sure why you feel like a failure. You're doing your best to make the right decisions in an informed manner. Many seniors and people with dementia don't have that benefit. I'd try to think it through more clearly and stop being so hard on yourself. You should be proud of the way you consider your dad's feelings and welfare.

I'd really rely on what professionals say about his needs. After a certain point, the patient is not in a position to know what is best. They even lose the ability to know the difference. He could be living in AL and not realize it.

Has he made his wishes known for care? I think it's important to ensure that people who are in advanced dementia are treated with things they like. So, I regularly take my cousin her favorite foods. I know that her Memory Care facility provides healthy foods, but I take her all the treats she always like, including her favorite dishes, soft drinks and deserts. I don't think she remembers it later though.

Have you looked into a Memory Care AL. Their features vary by state, but in NC, they handle a lot of different stages, even to the final stage. You might look into that to see if it's an option. Some states pay for it, if the patient qualifies by doctor order and their income.

Bev, YOU are not a failure! You dad's health is failing. His taste buds are failing. His ability to reason is failing. Not you.

With all of his multiple health problems, there is no way to " fix" things, even though that's what dad wants you to do. You need to understand in your head that his health issues are no longer fixable. He's on a special diet for health reasons. If he choses to ignore those limitations, he might die sooner. So what?

I'd talk with the NH staff about giving him what he wants to eat.

I greatly appreciate all your answers as I sympathize with my father request for his own place. He actually has a nurse practioner that keeps me updated on his health. I am his power of attorney. We had a meeting regarding his meal plan the dietician offerred to make special meals for him. My father being stubborn refuse to cooperate. He is eating white bread sandwich meat. They are concerned due to fact he has loss quite a bit of weight since he got there. He is 76 years old been in nursing home care for several years now. He was hit & run SUV several years ago and uses a walker to get around. I actually did initially have him in assisted living but they recommended he be placed in a nursing home due to his needs. I've switched nursing homes several times due to his compaints. He begs me to move him from there everytime I see him to his own place not another nursing home. I feel like such a failure. Since I am the oldest I am responsible for making all the decisions and giving the information to my siblings. My Mom and dad divorced many years ago. Not sure where I can move him where he has better meal choices and more privacy. Most of the really nice places in the Bronx is for short term care.

Your father is where he needs to be. The entire situation is terribly sad. As help2day suggests, have a meeting with the staff to see how you can work together in your father's best interest.

bevbloom106, I realize your Dad has memory issues, but if he were a child not wanting to eat, would you keep making special meals for him? Probably not, if a child or adult is hungry enough they will eat.

The nursing home brings your Dad special meals that have no or very little sodium and no or very little potassium. So those meals won't taste as good as meals your Dad had years ago before this kidney issue. Your Dad can eat sandwiches as long as it is white bread with fresh chicken or beef [no cold cuts which are very high in sodium].

Of course your Dad wants his own place, just about every elder does, they want back their independence. As for Assisted Living, it all depends on how the business is licensed. Some places will accept new residents with chronic medical issues, others will not.

He is beyond Assisted Living. At stage 4 CKD you realize that the next step is dialysis, so be sure the advanced directives are in place. Dialysis is no picnic; many a patient feels quite ill and asks to stop it. Personally I would not want it.

Hi Bevbloom106 ~ I say this with love and compassion but based upon what you've described, it's highly doubtful you Dad would be a good candidate for assisted living. Assisted living is private pay and VERY expensive. In assisted living situations, the persons residing there are generally "with it" and can get themselves to and from the dining room as most "assisted living" facilities do not have 24-hour nurses and medical staff (maybe 1 RN on duty). It sounds like your Dad needs skilled nursing, especially since he "passes out from time to time", most likely due to the fact that his diabetes is fluctuating due to his not eating the "disgusting" food as he calls it. If he has dementia, that will only get worse as time goes on. You don't state how old your Dad is. Many dementia patients get irritated and angry and medication can help even his moods.

My first call would be to get a family meeting scheduled with the Director of Nursing and the Social Worker at the nursing home where he resides. All interested parties need to attend (Mom (if still alive) and children of Dad). Sit down with them and discuss Dad's situation. What were the circumstances as to how was he initially placed in a skilled nursing facility? Was he hospitalized and then sent to skilled nursing for "rehab" or physical therapy? There is usually a discharge plan and nursing home plan in place. Is your Mom still alive? What does she say/want? Does your Dad have all his personal papers in order: durable POA, medical POA (health care proxy), will, etc. etc.