My mom is going back to her Assisted Living next week. However because of her cognitive decline, she will now be in their Memory Care Unit. They are moving her things and getting her room ready. However since I have had her with me for 2 months there is a 14 day isolation rule with one exception, 2 negative Covid tests. I would take her on Monday to a test center for a nasal swab, then take her again on Wed on the way to return. Then she would only have to be in isolation until Monday test came back (negative). So potentially only a couple of days. If she doesn't do both tests, its 14 days.
Anyone taken someone with dementia for test. How did they react?
They were really trying to discourage me, but she really reacted badly in isolation before (exposed to a staff member with covid) which is partly why I brought her home temporarily. But I can't do it anymore. I trust that these people will provide a safe environment for her. It's just going to be hard, I know she will be upset.
I figure a minute or two of discomfort during testing is better than 14 days of aloneness, especially in a new environment.
It was nothing compared to being in an almost empty room with no personal things or socializing. Both of my parents got double isolation due to falls/ER trips and are no longer the same people they were before! Illinois can’t seem to get their “rules and policies” straight. My parents went to different ERs and none of the rules made sense or matched up! Mom is now in MC because of fast major decline and dad is in rehab from a fall 1 1/2 hrs away since all nursing homes in our town closed up because of Covid. He no longer wants to live.
Long story short, do the swab, according to the nurses that cared for my parents they didn’t seem to be really bothered by it, and the isolation is just not good on their mind at all!!
All these elderly people having to get the swabs, lockdown, and isolation just breaks my heart. They’ve got to be wondering what is going on in the world!
Elderley confused people who love their new 'home', chat, laugh & sing with staff, put up with a short test & enjoy lemonade afterwards.
I feel very sad that awful care exists.
Ask her doctor if taking something beforehand to help her to relax would make it less traumatic.
I had one a couple of weeks ago but I was on morphine at the time so my test might not be a good example of the level of discomfort to expect.
And it’s only seconds of discomfort, not minutes.
Let us know how it goes.
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