My mum is in respite care but thinks she is going home. She isn't, she has to go into residential care. She blames me for everything and doesn't think she has dementia. How do we get her from a to b and what do we say? She was always very dependent and fiercely guards her money, this is something else we will have to take charge of, how do I explain that? She basically hates me.
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I doubt she hates you. She's got a "broken brain" and she's not thinking right. You kind of just have to let those mean comments slide by.
Try making her new "home" as "homey" as you can. Pictures, mementoes, furniture she loves, if it fits in her new place. Be prepared for pushback and anger, but don't take it personally.
Explain that you will become her "assistant" now--and helping her with her money--don't just grab her stuff and go--let her "help".
You're not alone. At least, being in a home, when she gets mad, you can walk away. That's a real blessing, believe it or not.
Don't succumb to the guilt that will come. Do what you can and let the rest go. (Easier said than done, I know).
Good luck!
Put a few things that she will see & make homey but just what would fit in your backseat because 'it is just for a while' - try a quilt/afgan, a pretty pillow, 1 suitcase of clothes, a few pix for wall & etc then each time when you visit bring in an item saying 'I thought you'd like your red sweater', 'did you ask me to bring your pink slippers? oh well here they are' etc - but mix it up with consumables
In case someone comes sniffing around about the money if possible have mom's things in 1 bank & you in another - I keep a petty cash binder at my home with some money in it - I use bookkeeping paper that has several columns so that I track where that money goes - I punched some holes in a zip lock bag so that the money fits in well
I withdraw $40 a month for small items like body lotion, socks etc that are not worth keeping track of but you may need more at first as she settles in - I also bring mom something EVERY TIME I GO so [like Pavlov's dog] now she looks at me as 'the one who brings pleasure' when I show up with a cookie & specialty coffee or can of a specialty soft/hard drink [which the $40 pays for] - this won't happen overnight but accumulative it does - this is better for her & you in the long run - I felt that by bringing her something every time then she slowly perceived me as someone who 'gave' & not a 'taker' so her attitude switched around 180 degrees -
I also have a spiral notebook that has sections in it - 1 for all the dr./new phone numbers you will need & all that you may need to track - my sister is backup P.O.A. so I always wrote up an email with dr./other appointment details including names & addresses & what happened then copy myself so I would put it in a file for mom's medical [finances in separate file] so if she ever needed to substitute for me then she would be able to look it up - it was a bit of a relief/cathartic to write it up & file it away - hope this helps you make a difficult transition for you both
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When my Mom was finishing rehab, I told my Mom that the doctor wanted her to get more practice walking and we had found a place that could help her near to my home. And then . . . I just never discussed it again. AND, more fortunate or me, she never inquired. I know (and this site makes it clear) I was VERY fortunate. Good luck
Talk to the respite care folks and see if they have a solution and can assist. I feel for you because I thought I was going to have to transport my mother and it was a very anxious time. There is light at the other end, but major heartache until your mother is settled. It may take awhile...and your mother will not be the same again, remember that...she won't get better and you will likely receive the brunt of her anger. You don't have to see her, remember that too -- your mother is mentally ill. Your mental health is what is important here, hers has already been determined.
Resistance was my parents' middle name!
(Having lunch at the facility sounds like a good idea while you set up her place....)
When my parents sorta freaked out...I would say, 'this is just for now...let's just get through today, ok?' That worked for them. Keeping them present was key, not futuristic.
All the best to you and your mom!!
Six months ago, we found a wonder Alzheimer's facility located twenty minutes from home. We visited the facility twice, talked to several staff members, and watched their interaction with the other patients. It was evident they could do so much more for my FIL than we could at home. This helped us get more comfortable with the idea of moving him.
We moved him early in the morning, because this is always his best time of day. We had already moved a weeks worth of clothes and some personal items into his room.
The morning of the move, we told him we had a great place that could give him memory therapy and physical therapy so he could start feeling better. Making the move all about him and his well being, made him willing to get in the car. The staff knew we were coming. They met us at the door and made a bug fuss over him. We went with them to his room, where we had a jar full of his favorite M&M candy. He sat down and started eating immediately!
We stayed with him for about an hour before leaving. He was ready to take a nap by then. We have not gone back to visit yet. We plan to go tomorrow. The first visit will probably be difficult. We have talked to the staff a couple of times, and they tell us he is doing well.
Moments of guilt grip us, but we know we have done the right thing.
God bless you.
Know that as you are putting her safety first, you are doing the right thing. I try not to dimish hope, but I never tell her a lie. I try answering differently each time untill one works best. I'm determined to always be truthful, I just don't provide the "full" story. If there is a road block, I leave for a bathroom break. Her lack of short term memory helps a lot here. Everytime she has already moved on or starts back up as if I just arrived. Either way, I wipe my brow. Knowing that she is fed positivity and she reflects it. IT HELPS THAT THE MC unit uses the Positive Approach to caregiving. Teepa Snow - her method is on youtube. Ive taken the same training the staff uses.
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