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Hello. My mom with dementia has been in a home for almost a year. She hates the place and hates being locked down. She is getting more determined to return to her home. To be fair she is a very sweet and long suffering lady.
I'm guessing from previous posts that there is no way to continue her care at home with a live in aide. I have contacted the NH's social worker but it is hard to get a return call. Still hoping. I was going to ask if her meds can be adjusted to help settle her. She does not participate in activities and prefers to stay in bed. This is troubling. I tried sending her things like large piece puzzles, snacks, clothes but nothing seems to help long term. I am getting a notebook so I can remote log in and play videos for her.
Today a visiting friend said she was so frustrated that she did not want to eat and became exhausted.
Honestly I wonder if a couple of years at home would be better than who knows how many unhappy years in a NH? Not sure what to do for her. Any Ideas would be appreciated.
Wanting to "go home" is part of Sundowning, which is a very common phase of dementia. Often the elder wants to go to a childhood home or a home in their distant past where they felt safe. My very elderly Aunt with advanced dementia wanted to "go home" every afternoon like clockwork, while sitting in the home she lived in since 1975. No amount of convincing her she WAS home changed her agitation. She was even on meds. Eventually when her dementia progresses she will move past this.

DO NOT entertain bringing her back to her home. Maybe consider relocating her to a facility near you. I realize this is a long-distance move and a lot of grief and one-time effort but once she's in proximity then her care will become easier for you. Of course she won't like it but caregiving happens on the caregiver's terms or else burnout is likely.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Don’t even think about how “to continue her care at home with a live in aide”. It’s 3 shifts every week day and night, and 6 shifts for the weekend – ruinously expensive. And she would still be 'locked down' if she was at home.

Explain this to her, and say that there is no way she is going to be able to leave. It's up to her to make the best of things. Staying in bed and refusing to eat is up to her. Forget about the puzzles, lay it on the line about the (very limited) options and ask her what she wants to do with the time she has got. You aren't in charge, it's up to her.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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Yes, medication adjustments can help. Also, do you know for sure that she is not participating in the activities? It is somewhat common for residents to be well-adjusted and participatory but still complain to family members and friends.
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Reply to MG8522
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No don't bring her home. She is safe and is being cared for 24/7. You alone cannot provide her the level of care she is receiving. She is healthier being in the NH because she has better routine nursing care available to her which she would not have in an in home setting.

You can try to have her meds adjusted and see if that helps. It would be nice for her to have a better quality of life and participate more. If you can't make it happen try to understand that some things can't be fixed and give up on it and be at peace. It is no reflection on you that she is losing interest in living.

My father is in a NH nearly 3.5 years and I used to visit my father pretty often and observed that most of the residents who were sitting through the social activities had checked out, my father included. Very few really participate, most sleep or stare off into space, just so you know.

Visit and treat her with love and kindness. Try not to feel guilty. This is not your fault.
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Reply to Hothouseflower
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Unfortunately there is not much you can do to make her happy. What you need to focus on is that she is safer and her needs are being met better at the NH than if she were at home where she wouldn'tbe able to afford 24/7 care. She would be in the same situation in a matter of time.

The video idea is nice idea, but will she be able to operate the device?

Absolutely request that her meds be adjusted due to anxiety and anger.
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