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I am 80 he is 77 we have no family nearby we have lived in present house. I am thinking of moving to another state to be near family members my husband of 54years has mild to moderate Alzheimer's a family member will care for him if needed would this move be more confusing for him we have no family nearby to help us I plan to get him a dog would this help? I am 80 he is 77 we have lived in our present home for 37years

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From what I have read on the forums here the answer would be *yes* it would hurt a dementia patient to move them. A new home would be confusing.

I can understand you wanting to move to be closer to family, plus you have a family member who volunteered to help take care of your husband... but please note, with Alzheimer's you will eventually need 3 full-time caregivers each working an 8-hour shift every single day. At 80 years old, there is no way you would be able to continue helping even with the help of another family member. We all start having our own age related declines.

As for a dog, if you get one, get the dog for yourself, not for your husband. Your husband might enjoy the dog for a short time frame then you will need to be doing all the care for the dog. Please note, do not get a puppy as dogs can live past 10 years old, which means you would be 90... it wouldn't be fair to the dog.
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A move would be confusing but at some point many dementia patents move into care facilities which is a big adjustment. I would think very carefully about the dog. I love my dog but are you up to caring for dog and your husband for years to come? I'm inclined to think you should consider the move to be around more support. Hopefully you'll get some responces here soon with more info about such a case
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Yes, the dementia patient will probably be more confused during and after a move. But it still may be the best thing to do. You have to consider all the pros and cons, and not just one factor.

If you do move, I hope you will be bringing lots of familiar and comforting items from the current home. (My mother liked having her own familiar bedspread in the nursing home.)

At 80, even if you are very healthy and strong, it is probably becoming increasingly difficult for you to care for him alone. Having you less stressed and more relaxed probably outweighs the risk of increased confusion.
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Please do not count on family members to help. Far better you move to senior apartments, some provide housekeeping and meals. In home help would be ordered by his MD, such as a bath aide twice a week. This would be a lot less upsetting than moving far far away, only to find out family members are too busy with their own lives to do anything for you.
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I would like to offer a modification to one of FF's statements: "with Alzheimer's you MAY eventually need 3 full-time caregivers each working an 8-hour shift every single day." Nothing is certain about the progression of any case of dementia. It is probable that your husband will reach that point. Most do. Keep it in mind.

But you really have to take one day at a time. Do the best you can to make today and tomorrow and next week the best quality of life the two of you can achieve. Don't be too driven by what may happen in a year or five years or ten years. Be realistic about the future, but be proactive about the present.
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