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User15476 Asked July 3, 2024

Alzheimer’s patient in memory care that is not meeting expectations or needs.

A family member with Alzheimer’s (early/mid stage) has moved into a memory care unit. It’s in a nursing home chain that is well reputed (expensive). However they have had a lot of personnel turnover. The activities schedule seems designed for the lowest common denominator. And our higher functioning relative just seems overly confined, restricted, and under stimulated. We know he will get worse, but the current situation isn’t working. He can’t afford the insane prices of adult daycare + transport + living in such a place.


Anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions? The social workers and doctors are no help and suggest this is an unusual situation.

Grace1227 Jul 23, 2024
innovage

Geaton777 Jul 4, 2024
You can consider finding a different facility. My MIL is in LTC in a faith-based facility run by Presbyterian Homes. It's the 2nd largest facility "chain" in the nation, but is non-profit and has been around since 1955. It is very well run and they treat my MIL like a queen (and she's on Medicaid in a private room). The cost will depend on what state you're in. Staff turnover in facilities is not unusual but in my MIL's place it seems very low -- same peope have been there every time we visit.

Or, hire a companion aid for him during some of his days if the facility allows it.

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cwillie Jul 4, 2024
Honestly, IMO this is probably the norm for those with early dementia. Memory care is chiefly a locked unit best suited for those with a moderate level of cognitive decline and minimal physical disability and is not really those with early dementia, those who are not a flight risk or anyone whose physical disabilities are great enough to benefit from a higher, nursing home level of care. Your alternative is to care for her at home with the help of home care and day care, or if her dementia is very mild and she is not a flight risk you might find an assisted living that will accept her temporarily.

funkygrandma59 Jul 4, 2024
If your loved one is higher functioning why aren't they living in assisted living instead of memory care?
Since typically most facilities have both assisted and memory units attached, can you not have your loved one moved into the assisted living part?
Otherwise you may have to hire someone to come in a few times a week to keep your loved one occupied and stimulated.
I've also known of a man who also was higher functioning and in memory care, and the facility would allow him to go to the assisted living side during the day to interact with the folks there and then would bring him back later in the day to his room in memory care.
You may want to see if that is a possibility.

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