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She says we can’t keep her there, we are the bad guys. saying she can’t come home. Should we take her home?

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The elder with dementia no longer gets to call the shots. Mom can go home "when the doctor says she's well enough to" which is never, but don't add in the never part.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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Why would you move her from a place that ensures her wellbeing and is a safer environment? Just because she is trying to strong arm you and plead does not mean you to do what she wants. She's trying to wear you down.

Roles are now reversed. You need to be the adult and say no. I realize it's difficult because the parent - child dynamic is reversed but you need to be unwavering in this decision.

Best of luck. You know bringing her home isnt the decision you should even question.
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Reply to AMZebbC
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No. This is quite typical, and your mother would not be in ALF had it not been deemed necessary. Don't be responsible for her happiness; you are not. Don't accept any attempts she makes to place inappropriate feelings of guilt; you didn't cause her ailing issues and you cannot fix them; guilt requires causation. You should switch to the other G-word which is grief. Grieve with her, because grief is appropriate and end of life is a sad time.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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My mom thinks she will be going home, she even has everything packed. She lives in memory care and is level 6 (and sometimes 7) Alzheimer’s. I tell her she needs to stay at least until tomorrow. That satisfies her for the moment and that’s all I can do. She has no home to return to, it was sold to pay for memory care. When dementia takes their mind, all we can do is protect their bodies.
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Reply to Lovemom1941
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lealonnie1 Nov 2, 2025
Very true. While in MC, my mother would insist she was fine and could come home with me to help me cook and clean. She was wheelchair bound and incontinent.
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My recommendation is that if your mom is safe at the assisted living facility, you shouldn't move her out to her previous home (or your home).
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Reply to Rosered6
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No, since she has dementia and will get worse. Then you’ll really have a problem on your hands! She’s where she needs to be be.
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Reply to Fawnby
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My mom's health began to improve after being in memory care for a while. She started shopping for mini-houses online. Her plan was to get someone to let her live in a mini-house on their land. She would have spent every last cent and had nothing left for her care. She did not like being told "no" but it was the best for her. It's been over a year and she has gone from walking with a cane or walker to being wheelchair bound. Her eyesight might also be getting worse, as has her hearing. I'm so glad no one listened to her to let her go home with them. It would have been a terrible situation. At her current facility she is safe, has friends, and frequent group activities. It is also close to my home so I can visit her when I want to. At some point those with dementia get to where they want to escape their situation and the best idea they have is to "go home." You just have to stand strong.
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Reply to JustAnon
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One option might be to say that she can go home if she can arrange it herself and care for herself when she gets there. Then give her the house keys, and make sure that the bed is made and there is food available. It is quite likely to take about 24 hours for her to realise that she can't do this 'independently', and that she is relying on you to prop her up. The choice is actually yours, not hers.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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Of course you shouldn't take her home. She is now where she is safe and well cared for and that is what is most important now, especially with her having dementia which you know will only continue to get worse.
You can always lie and tell her that she can perhaps come home if and when her doctor says she can and then make sure that you and her doctor are on the same page of keeping her where she's at.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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Since you posted this under ALZ & Dementia I'm assuming she's there because she can no longer safely remain in her home without a lot of orbiting by family. If so, keep remembering why she was transitioned there to begin with.

If she's asking to "go home" -- especially in the afternoons -- this is part of Sundowning, a cognitive phenomenon that is part of dementia. Most of the time the person is referring to a childhood home or some mythical home where they are imagining they were safe and happy. Do not go visit her in the afternoons. Don't answer her phone calls in the afternoon. If she's no on meds for depression and anxiety then maybe it's time to consider this. Talk to her primary care doctor.

When she starts in on this topic you tell her, "Your doctor says he will reevaluate you to move out when you can demonstrate all your ADLs". Then distract her or change the subject. Maybe take her to some event or activity within the facility and leave before it ends (make sure an aid knows you are leaving her there).

She doesn't get to drive the bus of her care anymore.
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Reply to Geaton777
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