The less change, the better. My wife (ALZ Sage5) gets confused in our small home in which we have lived for 40+ years. I can only imagine the turmoil of traveling to FLA in the winter thenn home in the spring.

Routine, routine, routine. Add friendly happy notes you are home. I moved mom nearby me 10 years ago and she had us kids promise that's where she wanted to stay forever. Of course, as dementia progresses, she does not remember it as her home and is constantly packing so to go home. It's a constant daily discussion.

My wife and I have a home in Florida. We have traveled for 4 seasons, the last all after her diagnosis. It usually takes a week to ten days for her to re-acclimate. I adjusted my attitude to one of we get there when we get there. If she is having a bad day, a motel early is the answer. It used to take us three days but now it’s five. Once in the Florida sun, we both do better. She hates winter up north. This year will be the decision maker. If traveling is too difficult or she doesn’t adapt as well once there, then I will consider selling or renting the home. Your mother may have suffered due to the life altering change of a permanent move. It will take a great deal of time to adjust. Any other changes may have compounded the stress of the move. Do they visit the same location in Florida? Does she comprehend that it is only a temporary move and that she will return to her home? What has she expressed about going to Florida? My Pat started talking about the sun, the water and beaches after the first really cold day here. She is at stage 6 but still fondly remembers the beach. What care is available for her in Florida? We are lucky to have a neurologist here that is in direct contact with the memory care facility we use in Florida. It’s a very smooth transition for us. I understand your reluctance to let them go, but consider what it would mean to your mother. Maybe she would do quite well. So far, my Pat manages it after that transition period. I guess I’m just encouraging you to include her in the decision making as much as possible. I will be happy to post how well we do this year. We leave the day after family Thanksgiving dinner. Good luck and God bless!