When he couldn't make a sandwich, use a microwave, getting confused in the house alone and had to call me at work.
Falling, concern about going outside and getting lost, incontinentence and just the exhausting part of taking care each day.
Our children have been telling me for sometime but it’s a tough decision to make.
Safety here too. He was having trouble seeing (cataract) and fell twice when we were walking and doing errands. Couldn’t leave him at home alone because either he tried to cook (left the stove on and walked away twice) or decided he needed to go find his father and just took off walking. Now I have someone here while I do errands or just lock myself in my craft room.
Safety! It became apparent after numerous falls , along with being incontinent that it is time to make a change. I have been his caregiver for several years but it is exhausting and for that reason also it is the correct move , it’s a difficult decision and one I question everyday. In my brain I know it’s correct but my heart hurts !
For my 78-year old mom the decision to move my dad to memory care really came too late. She was trying to be superwoman and had no in-home care help for my 84 year old dad. The most difficult part was his violent episodes, which many times only ended with a visit from the police (who are wonderful in dealing with these situations). I live close by, but work FT so it was a constant worry for me and I finally told her she was endangering her own health and also that I couldn't keep living with the constant worry that dad would hurt her. It's a heart-wrenching decision, but you have to remember that the dementia is just going to get worse, and you don't want to jeopardize your own health in caring for a patient. All that being said, we are also very fortunate that dad's government pension pays for most of the $6,200/month memory care fee. Good luck!
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