@cj30564300 wrote:
Should an patient who has stated they want to remain in their own home . . . . . .
Is this OK because they are happy where they are?
My other question is: are there any stats on what percentage of dementia patients decline at a more rapid rate (to the point of non recognition of immediate family within the first year of new residency) when they are moved from their familiar surroundings into a care facility. And is the act of moving into a facility the cause of the decline?
If so could the decline be caused by a combination of events: less visits by family and friends, less social interaction, lack of intellectual and emotional stimulation like music, pets, children, reading material, visual phone conversations, shopping... any number of things.
Would moving into the home of a child while being able to take with more of familiar, comforting belongings prevent such a decline while providing health and safety?
No matter their wishes . . . . they cannot live in an unsafe and unhealthy environment but that's where (family) caregivers come in - care is then needed, a little or a lot, depending upon their condition and situation.
Whomever lives in a home, there are things that have to be done just to keep the place livable - upkeep, cleanliness, maintenance - these things don't stop when the person living there can no longer handle these matters. So choices have to be made - these choices have to consider a combination of factors - the health of the person living there, their ability to (personally) care for themselves, their ability to keep up the home by either hiring it out or letting someone else handle such affairs, then there is the financial capabilities to handle added expenses of a caregiver to handle not just the direct care giving but those other matters cause they all have to be done.
I don't know any stats on the affects of changing residences when health conditions warrant a change for care purposes. What does it matter, if the person cannot care for themselves and their surroundings any longer living alone and cannot afford (or others helping to afford) to bring in outside help to handle those things that just have to be done - whether of a personal nature or ones for the residence. At this point, there seems to be no choice.
Social interaction does affect a person's psychic wellbeing but the amount and type is relative to the person and pretty much to their condition.
As far as moving in with a child - all of this needs to be discussed beforehand if all possible - there needs to be a plan and if another person (family caregiver - child, alone or with their family) is involved, their life too has to be also considered.
Whatever the happening, whatever the remedy, the person needing the care or help is gotta have some shock. It may take some time to adjust - they may never adjust.
As a (family) caregiver, you aim to help but that help is not unlimited or not without considerations - there maybe time and money constraints, there maybe other responsibilities which also have to be handle, the care may become more than the (family) caregiver can handle effectively or they may just not want to do it;
Any person can make plans for themselves as to what they would like to happen - but that plan has to have some basis in being feasible. If another person is involved in the plan, that person also have to have some say in the matter. Of course, the plan is also up for change because life does not always follow an exact course.
It's Always Something . . . . Roseanna Roseannadanna
