My mom is moving in 10 days and is really bad about her phone and can’t access her email anymore. How do I handle notifying friends and family? An email with my contact info? A card with her location and way to contact her or me? She has a few college friends she stays in touch with and other Christmas card and occasional friends and I don’t want to lose that connection or make her feel embarrassed.
23 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
Then edit letter with personal info to each person who tries to stay in touch with your mom so you can put specific info geared toward that person: Jane Doe, you have always been so good about contacting mom and she looks forward to your talks/letters. I hope you will continue to do so even if you don't hear back from her.
I also suggest adding a note with your requests for continued correspondence to include a picture of themselves that would have been taken about the last time she saw them. When I have my mom write a letter to her sister, we put a pic with the letter to give her a mental reminder of who the letter came from.
If there's anyway to do facetime via her phone and her friends, you can ask the facility to assist her with that type of call.
ADVERTISEMENT
Simply Mail a pleasant greeting card to moms closest friends and family (pick and choose people she can count on) to let them know she's moving. Include the name of her new home, address, room and phone number.
Say "mom has developed memory issues, but wants to stay in touch with you. An occasional card, letter and/or phone call would mean so much to her."
Our family members are all in different stages and ages and we have to make decisions based on what we know and think is best for them. There is no "one size fits all" right or wrong answer here. You have read some of our experiences and you know what is going on with your mom and I am sure you will make healthy decisions for all involved. And as your moms condition changes, your visitation rules may change as well.
Take care.
One of the reasons why people dread placement, whether in a nursing home or a memory care unit, is the belief they will be shut away, out of sight and out of mind.
And, it seems, this belief is well-founded. A loving daughter (? - apologies if son!) hesitates to give her mother's friends her mother's new address, and why? The daughter wants to protect her mother from the embarrassment of its being known that her mother is living in a memory care unit. Only, for embarrassment perhaps we should read "shame."
I'm accusing nobody of anything, here - we all do have very confused emotions and preconceptions about dementia, about residential care, about the rights of people once control of their lives has had to be delegated to others, about what they would prefer (perhaps they might not want to be seen in their current "state"? Will they mind their friends knowing?) about the "correct" way to manage relationships and communications so as to show respect and love to the person without asking too much of her or showing up her loss of memory and abilities - rubbing salt in her wounds. On the other hand, to be forgotten and neglected, discarded because we're no longer the people we were - ? *Everybody* is trying to do the right thing. But goodness don't we tie ourselves up in knots over it!
What I'd do, and did, is send a standard change of address card to her Christmas card list (or similar), with an additional note to those people you yourself know well enough inviting them to keep in touch, and your phone number or email address if they haven't already got it.
Best wishes.
https://www.alzstore.com/picture-memory-phone-dementia-s/1843.htm
Is it possible to create a private FaceBook page group for only a select few of her friends who understand her cognitive condition and situation? Then you and they could post pictures and video messages for you to show her?
When we first transitioned my MIL into AL (due to short-term memory issues) she went through her phonebook and called everyone in there asking for them to come get her. Even a friend who lived several timezones away. So I don't really recommend any voice controlled calling (like Alexa) or even her keeping a phonebook of contacts in her room. I suggest you are there for all visits and calls. Cards are great if she remembers who the writers are. Maybe put up pictures of her closest people and their names on the wall of her room? I hope all goes well as you both adjust!
You said she is fine with cards and phone calls so there is no shame in reaching out to her close friends and letting them know about the move. Tell them if they are interested in a visit to contact you and you'll arrange something.
You are her protector.
Have them continue to e mail your mom and you can access her e mail once a day or every other day then go over the e mails with your mom and let her tell you what to e mail back..
You could e mail using your mom's e mail, her new address to all family and friends.
Be sure to Speak to your mom about it to see what she thinks.
When I have seen extended family members who haven't seen mom in a while, I will mention to them that she is healthy and doing as well as can be expected. I also tell them she'd love a visit from them (she does not do well on the phone at all) and give them her address.
Depending on the person, I may let them know she has about a 10 minute window of lucidity before she begins to wander, verbally.
Orchard Gardens
2010 Locust Drive
Newark, DE xxxxx
She would love to hear from you.
For close friends and family that are aware of your moms dementia give them the contact info, where she is and the address and if they are allowing visitors. And let them know that they can always contact you and you can pass on any mail or info if they would prefer that.
The thought that one would feel embarrassed if a friend got in touch with them after a move to memory care is sad. I would hope that it would bring understanding and compassion to the one visiting or contacting.