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We have a small home picked out and want to know what the best way for this transition is? We will be bringing her bed and dresser with her but want to know the best way to support her in this move.

When I placed my Mom she was maybe in her 6th stage. Someone stayed with her why we moved her furniture to her room at the AL. I did not tell her what was happening until we were in the car and she asked where we were going. I told her to her own apt where she will meet new people. My Mom acclimated very well, I was lucky.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Ellis98 Jan 19, 2025
Wow JoAnn29, lucky is right!! I’m so glad you had a peaceful experience with the transition! We did the same thing and it was the most traumatic transfer. It’s been three months now and while it is exponentially better for us, it is still very difficult for her. I keep telling myself that all we can do is the best we can!
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By "we have a small home picked out" I assume you mean your mom is moving into a Board and Care (guessing as you mention taking a few items of furniture of her own)?

So much is individual. We don't really know your mom nor her readiness/willingness to go into care. We don't know her personality or how she's handling the grief of her loss. They always caution that it's wise not to make many sudden changes, moves and etc., thus adding to the drastic change of the death of a loved one.
But as I say we don't KNOW your mom or her readiness. She may in fact be EAGER to get to where she is going, to make new friends, to be relieved of the caregiving she may have been doing in the recent past.

I would say just "be there". You helped arrange the choice here. You and she agree that this is the time for this move. That's a great start.
Now just be there. Grief is very individual and unpredictable. Accept that there will be mourning, that there will be adjustments, and most of all LISTEN to her. Don't explain why this HAD to happen, why this is BEST to happen now; just LISTEN. When it's a tough day know it's a bad weather system you have to get through by sympathizing, understanding, and accepting that not everything in aging is positive, or has an answer. Some things just have to be lived with. And through.

My brother when he entered care had more than a few reactions:
1. "This is a bit like being young and in the army, hon. I don't much like it, but I make the best of it"
2. "I think I missed commune living when we two were young. But I imagine it's kind of like this. We have community meetings in the cottage to work out arguments about who wants the blinds UP in the dining room and who wants them DOWN."

He was pragmatic, kind, always trying to let us know it wasn't perfect but he was OK.
One of a kind, and a gentle soul, and I hope mom is similar. I wish you all the very best.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Sheand, welcome to the forum. For my elderly Dad, when he moved into senior living, I made sure his bedroom was set up identical to the one he had at home. That way if he woken in the middle of the night, he knew he was in his own bedroom.

Another thing, if there are things that your Mom really treasured, if possible, bring those items. For my Dad it was all his books, and luckily his bookcases were able to fit in his room. Those books made Dad feel more secure.

Hope everything works out for your Mom :)
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Reply to freqflyer
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I had the same thing with my mom. We had to put her in the nursing home side because she could not take care of herself and she needed someone there 24 hours a day. It was the best thing thing for her. They do lots of activities with them and she has some of her belongings in her room. We had to sell her house because we had to get her on Medicade but she is very happy and safe.
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Reply to Rose61mary
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If she has her bedroom decorated with pictures on the walls or objects on surfaces, take pictures before you start dismantling and packing to help replicate the setup at the new place. Same with what's in drawers or how closet is arranged. Add those notes to boxes where possible (i.e., "top drawer dresser", "dresser top items"). You won't be able to replicate it exactly as every move typically includes some downsizing and the space will be different, but it may help with familiarity.
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Reply to DaughterByLaw
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Save old photos to keep old memories alive. Include school yearbook
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Sheand: Prayers sent for this most difficult of times.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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My condolences for your father’s loss besides your mother’s. This very difficult transition will take your mother time to heal. I wish her the best care possibly meeting new friends to help her through grief.

Regarding my mother’s situation::
she was age 92 and still lived in our condo. I took care of her at our in CA for as long as possible until several falls at home sent her to assisting living. She was then 93, God Bless her.

My brother moved her from our CA place to an AL in OR near his and his wife’s place where she received better care than I could do anymore. An ombudsman helped her into her transition. I contacted her weekly and as always, she expressed coming back to our place in CA which was no longer possible. I told my mother we can talk to our social workers and my brother about it. Then she forgot and I changed the subject.

Yes, I had professional help for myself to cope with since I was also unemployed and had to return back to work at age 57. Both of us were on a very difficult transition. I did visit Mom about three more times until she passed away at age 95.
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Reply to Patathome01
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Set up her new home to look as much like her current home. She will settle in much sooner in a place that looks familiar. Help her with consistent routines so she will come to know what to expect throughout her day. If her dementia is recent and more mild, she may just need gentle reminders that this is her new home and that her hubby is no longer here. If her dementia is more severe, she may require mild anti-anxiety medications to help her to remain calm until she becomes used to her new home and routines.
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