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Typically, dementia patients are moved from AL to MC for higher level of care. But has anyone done the opposite? If so, why?

When I toured facilities I was told they have a lot of dementia patients in assisted living when they have a spouse who is pretty pulled together and lives with the dementia patient in the assisted living.
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Reply to brandee
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SOS369 Sep 28, 2024
Thanks, brandee. Sadly, with my husband's history of violence, I don't think we can ever live together under the same roof again.
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If you are asking about your husband in MC who's "gone back to normal" with Depakote, I doubt the administration would allow him to go into regular AL. With a history of violent behavior, it's too risky. While it's great that Depakote is working so well for the past 9 months, there's no telling how long it will continue working for. It could be years or months, nobody can say. You can always have that conversation though.

Good luck to you.
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SOS369 Sep 26, 2024
Thank you so much for your input and confirmation. It was suggested by a rogue doctor, newly hired as my husband's primary care physician as he travels to the MCF to see my husband. He isn't my husband's neurologist nor is he the one who prescribed the Depakote. Worse was that he actually told my husband that he didn't belong in memory care and should be in AL, without consulting me first. This dr had never consulted with me regarding my husband's medical history at all nor did he coordinate with my husband's neurologist at Stanford. He's spewing out things like maybe your husband doesn't have dementia, suggesting another very expensive test. I researched and found that this test should be done only after dementia has been ruled out... duh ... plus the cure was high dosage shots of steroids!! Anyhow, logically I know this is all ludicrous, but I just have to ask the question in the spirit of leaving no stones unturned. Moreover, my husband has 3 police case files of the three episodes when I had to call 911 on him. Anyhow, I will discontinue service with this doctor ASAP.
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If somebody was to move to a lower level of care, it is because another person - not the facility - is providing the care.
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Reply to Taarna
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No you cannot do that . They have to be in a memory care wing if the facility . Too much can go wrong if they are left alone
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Reply to Trixipie
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SOS369, I've never heard of that before. Note, that before that can be done, the Adm Staff at the facility would need to give approval, and probably test the resident to see if that was a good idea.
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Reply to freqflyer
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Yes.. my 91 yr old mom was moved into assisted for 3 yrs ...after a year in MC.....now she is back in MC again.. She has Lewy Body Dementia
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Reply to Sadinroanokeva
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I did. My mom was pretty functional. We were not sure what was best and started in memory care. In a few days it was clear that it was substantially lower in cognitive levels than she was. Most patients were non verbal. I moved her to the ALF side. She was not quite strong enough for that but seemed to thrive better with folks that she could talk to.

it is hard when their capabilities are in the middle.
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Reply to Msblcb
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Is this a hypothetical question?
One can only assume that one would be moved from MC to ALF if the person improved. This is, while rare, certainly possible.

There is also a movement now to have a sort of inbetween. My brother died in a fabulous ALF 5 years ago. At the time, the faciliy, based on cottages, were making some of the cottages a sort of inbetween in which there was slightly better staffing tho not so good as MC. Clients could still have their own rooms, but were more closely monitored and checked on. The doors were locked which didn't happen in ALF. I think it is a wonderful model for those willing to and able to create in of their community.

I have not yet here on AC in 5 years heard of anyone moving a loved one out of MC and back into ALF. I HAVE heard of them removing from MC and taking home with 24/7 care model.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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SOS369 Sep 26, 2024
Thanks for your input. My husband has a history of violence under this disease. There's no way I can/will bring him home. Although he's been doing really well the past 9 months with adjusted meds, there's no guarantee he would stay this way or for how long.
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If the facility knows about the dementia then they wouldn’t ever move that patient to assisted living . They need 24/7 care
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Reply to Trixipie
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My husband has LBD too. Medicines can make him calmer, but it is not always controllable. He got better by Depakote too. It looks pretty effective for mood control with this. Generally speaking, MC has the staff who knows and can handle better than ALF. But when you look for MC for him, you need to make sure the stuff knows he has LBD and not Alzheimer. Some place will tell you they won't receive him because of all the psychosis, agitation, etc. etc. So, you need to keep looking until you find the place who has people who knows what is LBD and they know how to handle it. Think about what if he gets agitated in ALF and hurt others. Leaving him in the place where people doesn't know how to handle him is not safe for both of them. And it is very true that he sometimes has a moment that his mind is so clear, and you feel guilty to have him in MC with other dementia patients. You need to think of the pros and cons of where to leave him. I agree the home is not safe for you. I called police several times to deescalated his agitation too. But it breaks my heart looking at him staying alone at MC, crying and telling me that he cannot do anything he used to do. Just try to be with him as much as possible no matter where you are. That is all I can tell you. Good luck with you and your husband wherever you decide to place him. Nowhere is perfect. And both of you will get hurt emotionally anyways. So be strong and always avocate/support him.
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Reply to Magir64
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SOS369 Oct 6, 2024
Magir64, Thank you for sharing and your advice! In my logical mind, I know what must be done, as hard as it is, but I just want to make sure I am choosing the right path. I asked the posting question to leave no stone unturned. Seriously, no one can feel the pain of separation and the loss of a loved one to this horrible disease or the tough decisions we must make unless they have witnessed or lived through what we have.
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