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.

Read the rest of this post at my page at Dementia Care Central