This past week has been challenging with Mama to say the least regarding her NOT wanting to go to the Jud C Hickey Adult Day (for Alzheimer’s Care).

She resisted going several times this past week. On some days I was able (along with the staff) to encourage her to get out of the car and go in (on the days I took her).  Other times she would not (especially when the transit came for her).   So she stayed home with me a few times last week.

The issue for her is, she wants to go to the regular Senior Center in general and specifically to Bingo.  But that is no longer possible for her to be there unattended, per the director. I also feel that she notices there is less independence at the Jud C Hickey center and she may also notice that people are treated differently (because everyone there has Alzheimer’s).   Now, everyone is treated with the utmost respect, it’s just that she is in a place that gives specialized care and activities for Alzheimer’s.   They have wonderful activities and have a good time.  It’s just different and she seems to prefer the other place, even though there is alot LESS to do there (Bingo was the main activity outside of the shopping trips, etc.)

This has me thinking that as far as a long term community, starting out in regular assisted living may actually be better for her and then later moving her to more specialized care (memory care/Alzheimer’s unit). This would help her adjust more because she would be with the general population of seniors and treated like a regular person, so to speak.  It will also cost less initially.  It may be better to save the specialized care (memory care) for when the disease is further progressed.

I don’t know for sure, but these are some insights I’m having just observing Mama in certain situations like how she responded to the regular senior center vs. the current Alzheimer’s adult day care program.

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It’s been a few days since my last post.  We’re just coming off a relaxing Spring Break.

Here’s an update from this past week…..

Mama wanted to attend the Columbia County Senior center for Bingo on Wednesday of last week (this is the center she was going to initially before Jud C Hickey Center for Alzheimer’s Care).  She was very adamant in stating that she would NOT be going to Jud C Hickey.  Even though she really enjoys Jud C Hickey, she misses the joy of picking out bingo prizes, putting them on the table, and watching others enjoy her prizes when they win and pick them.   At Jud C Hickey, the prizes are already provided for everyone, and usually are stuffed animals (which she does like too, but it’s just different).

Since she was so adamant about NOT going to Jud C Hickey (and this has been happening more frequently), I called the Columbia County Senior Center to leave a message with the director asking if Mama could simply attend on their Bingo days (Monday and Wednesday).  Thought this would give Mama what she wanted and make her more willing to go to Jud C Hickey on the other days.

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Last night I attended a wonderful program by my local Alzheimer’s Association called “Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias:  “A Family Affair”. The speakers were Frank Broyles:  Coach, Spouse, Father, Caregiver and writer of the “Coach Broyles Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers” and his daughter Betsy, and granddaughter Molly.

I laughed, cried, and had some ‘a ha’ moments during the 2 hours they spoke so passionately about their journey of caregiving for the matriach of the family, their beloved Barbara.

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As the daughter/primary caregiver of a mother with Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, I find it essential to get my thoughts and feelings out.   By sharing I know I’m helping myself cope and know there must be others out there in similiar situations.

Visit my blog at Dementia Care Central and feel free to post a comment.