The dilemma arises when you must decide whether to move your Alzheimer’s family member closer to you, or leave them in a nursing or assisted living home where they have been living.  I can relate to Katelyn’s friend who had to move and debated whether to move her mom or leave her in the nursing home she was familiar with.  I’ve cared for relatives in both situations.

When my mom could no longer stay alone, I moved her from her home to mine, 275 miles away, because I knew other family members couldn’t care for her.  It confused Mother for awhile.  But worked out for the best, because my family could visit her frequently and I could monitor her care when she finally moved to a nursing home.

 I did leave my aunt in the nursing home in the other state because moving her would have involved changing her financial aid and perhaps losing it.  Also, she no longer knew us when we visited, and the nursing home staff was familiar with the extensive care she needed.

A friend moved her mom from Texas to a nursing home near her in New Hampshire.  Family would have cared for her in Texas, but after various considerations, they decided it best to move Mom.  Others have opted to leave a parent where they had been living even though it meant commuting to visit or arrange care.  That’s when the resources Liz mentioned come in handy.

If I can be of further help or give encouragement to readers here or at Living Without Memories, let me know.

                              Cherish the Days: Inspiration and Insight for Long-Distance Caregivers.

Post from: Blisstree

More About Long Distance Caregiving

Katelyn at Life Without Memories gives us advantages (and disadvantages) for working at home when you have an Alzheimer’s family member.  She also refers to Laura at Writing Thoughts who tells about working at home and caring for her father with Alzheimer’s, as well as her family.

Even though you’ll still be juggling a job or career, you’re not likely to have quite the rigid schedule and you’ll be nearby.  

I worked at home and away from home when Mother, who had Alzheimer’s, lived with Jim and me.  I did my writing work mainly at home and could include chats with Mother.  (She has always encouraged me in my writing career.) 

However, I also did substitute teaching.  On those days took Mother to a day care.  Our schedule could get hectic getting Mother up early enough to leave her and then get to school on time .  It involved juggling, but I was grateful that I had some flexibility…and have those memories of days with Mother while writing and researching.

Perhaps you can develop a less rigid schedule by involving yourself in something you can do at home while caring for your family member with Alzheimer’s.

Post from: Blisstree

Working at Home Often Beneficial for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

So she’s been looking into ways we can use our artistic abilities to raise money for this purpose.  One of her suggestions is a swap with some type of artistic item such as a charm or artist’s trading card (ATC). 

For details, visit Katelyn’s Life Without Memories blog. 

Post from: Blisstree

“Stamping Out Alzheimer’s”Now Posted on Life Without Memories Blog

It’s also difficult for them to comprehend what these items are for and how to use them because they may be in an earlier era of their lives when modern implements didn’t exist.  For instance, as my mother asvanced in her Alzheimer’s journey, she probably would have known how to use a dasher butter churn.  However, figuring out the workings of an electric mixer or electric churn would have been beyond her. 

When Mother lived in our home, she began putting magazine pages down the toilet.  Then I realized she was back in her girlhood when they had the outhouse (called “garden house” in refined society!) and often used magazines or the Sears catalog. 

Another time she asked me where we put the wood in the electric cook stove.  For years, when she was growing up and later, at the farmhouse where I was a child, she cooked on a wood burning stove. 

We simply have to realize that no amount of explanation will enable an Alzheimer’s victim to use most modern gadgets once they’ve regressed beyond a certain era.

Post from: Blisstree

The Newest Gadgets & Appliances Not Always Best for Alzheimer’s Patients

As an Alzheimer’s patient becomes more incapable, remembering how to use an electric blanket…and even what it’s for can become a challenge.  It falls under the same concern we have about letting this person operate an electric stove.

Post from: Blisstree

Using Electric Blankets with Alzheimer’s Patients

Blog carnivals are a great way to find information on blogs you may or may not have visited before.  I’ve had a great time browsing around the blogs participating in this Carnival of Healing.

Post from: Blisstree

Alzheimer’s Notes Appears on Carnival of Healing