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He has vascular dementia and a zero cognitive test score. Walking is slow around the house and he is hanging on to walls and objects to balance. I help him dress and shower, use the bathroom. Should I start with AL then later transfer to MC or just skip the AL?

Yes I would skip AL because these moves can create more confusion. I also agree with those who state your father would not be best served there and likely would not qualify.

Hopefully you could visit a few facilities with MC to best determine which one you prefer and can have a comparison.

This is a big move and adjustment. The less stressful it is would be best I believe for both of you. I hope you find the right choice.
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Reply to Riverdale
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He would be evaluated by assisted living team before he is accepted and he probably would not qualify. He would need to be in a dementia care unit. Call both types of places , better yet go tour them and talk to someone and you will get a better understanding of what type of places to search out. Good luck and God Bless
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Reply to Trish1750
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AL's won't be staffed to provide the level of assistance your husband needs.

If he has no nursing care needs currently, and he can still assist with standing up, then MC would be best.

If you can find one with in-house PT/OT that's great. Even better if they have a skilled nursing area, and the best would also offer a rehab unit (in case he falls and breaks something).
Most MC's can keep their patients through hospice if they're weight-bearing, unless a nursing care need crops up before that point (like a large pressure sore that requires daily wound care), but you'd want to know what would specifically require them to move your husband out of MC for skilled nursing.
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Reply to ElizabethY
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It sounds like he is going to end up in MC. I doubt an AL would accept him at his current levels.
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Reply to JustAnon
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You don't determine level of care needed. This is done by health care professionals such as doctors, therapists, social workers, etc. There are different admission criterias for levels of care such as independent or assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing. The patient is evaluated considering current medical and mental status, future prognosis, and activities of daily living. Facilities are licensed by the state to perform specific levels of care, and will deny admission if the care needed cannot be provided. If patient status changes, the facility can refer you to a higher level of care. This is somethingyou don't need to worry about. YOU can step in after a decision is made for type of care. You will want to tour facilities at the correct level of care to evaluate the general atmosphere and choose a facility near your home. Most places will give a tour and allow you to ask questions. It is also helpful to stay for lunch.
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Reply to Sandra2424
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Ultimately the facility will assess him but from what you describe, he needs 100% help. AL is "assisted" so assumes he can do some basic ADLs himself. He may even need LTC, which is good news since Medicaid will cover this (plus his SS income) once he qualifies. You shoud get him assessed by his doctor, who is the one who decides that he needs LTC (and sometimes the facilities will also decide this). Then talk to an elder law attorney to make sure all your legal ducks are in a row and you learn about qualifying for Medicaid and what is all means. Then you can transition your husband into a good facility on private pay (one that accepts Medicaid).
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Reply to Geaton777
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