He is in stage 6 of 7 with Alzheimer’s. I can tell him anything and he’ll forget in ten minutes. My problem is —-when I try to walk him in there is a sign out front that reads, ‘Senior Living’. He’s always lived on his own until a few months ago, I moved him in with me. He only did that because a stare trooper called me and had him take to the hospital because he was shoveling snow at night in the road. I am his only child and POA. He still thinks he can be on his own but he wanders and does not know where he is most of the time. I know after he gets into his little apt at the care center he will acclimate. I just need help with ideas to tell him what we are doing or how to get him in the car to take him there. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
”Let”s go to lunch a week or so from now. I’ll pick you up about (time).”
”I’ve been invited for coffee at a clubhouse over by (?). I’d like you to come too. You might enjoy it”.
Whatever appeals to his interests can be used (with love, and kindly) to get him to a place of comfort and safety.
Is there a back entrance that might have a simple door to walk through?
When you arrive, ask someone to come out to escort both of you in. Once you’re where he needs to be, give him a hug and tell him you’ll see him soon. Then leave.
Ask someone on the staff to let you know when it will be in his best interests to have a visit with you.
He may insist that you take him home. Tell him you’ll see what the doctor thinks.
At first, make your visits briefs, with no extended “good byes”.
What you do for him, with love, will bring you both peace.
Because I should have thought you could keep him talking and admiring the landscaped gardens and looking forward to a good lunch for long enough to get him that far, couldn't you?
1. The plumbing in the house has to be fixed and the water is turned off, so we all have to leave the house for the night.
2. We have termites and have to tent the house.
You might have to come up with something that requires him to be gone for the night, not just walking in the door for lunch (which is also a good idea, though).
This isn't something apparently that will go easy. There isn't always a fix it. Often it just has to GET DONE, and then the adjustments begin and it is a daily thing to see where things stand. I sure wish you the best.
She does not know where she is or why she is there, but that is the way it was when she was in her own home, too.
The facility was really nice and they kept her so busy that she never called any of us to the point her sons began to worry about her. She regularly called each of us multiple times per day with the same question. I was the latecomer in the family and they all felt it was the happiest she'd been since the death of her husband many years earlier.
Good Luck.