I just got off the phone with Dad's current ALF, and all they need is a date for transition for dad (15 days notice). I want to get things done as quickly as possible, but I have one major concern... how am I going to keep Dad occupied during the move? Since Dad is no longer in ADC and doesn't participate in group activities at the ALF, this is going to create quite a dilemma when I need to transfer his belongings. He will seriously melt down if he sees me carting his stuff out of his room. I have NO IDEA how I am going to do this. I don't have a support system, so there's no one I can call to take him out for a few hours. Any suggestions on how to make this seamless?
I think trying to have him stay at the new place is a great idea--try to see if that will float. Can you pre-pack as much of his stuff as possible, to make the move swift? Do you also have to move furniture? Don't overload yourself...this is a time to get all the help you can--movers, if necessary, and make the change very quickly.
But, just in case, I'd plan on a meltdown and just be prepared for it. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck with this--it took us 3 years to move mom & dad. Mother DID have a meltdown that required an ER trip for something to simply knock her out. Actually, if she had had some sedatives, we would have pre-loaded her with those. Not a bad idea--21 years after the fact.
As for moving things, he rarely pays attention to the closet, so I am going to start sneaking things out gradually within the next couple of weeks. I want to bring his current clothing chest (a $50 piece I found in a thrift store), but it desperately needs to be repainted. Not sure how I'm going to tackle that one.
Stay tuned for stories... here we go!!
I thought about paying someone to sit with him, but since he doesn't spend time in the common areas (he says its too cold, and he doesn't want to wear his oxygen tank), this one is going to be really difficult.
The only place he really goes now is the disgusting diner every Saturday... with me. No one else even bothers. I wish his favorite nurse could do something.
If nothing else, he's just going to have to melt down, but he will SERIOUSLY get in the way. He always wants to "help" and gets upset when I can't find anything for him to do with his limited abilities.
I thought about sending him to another ADC near the new place ($65 isn't bad), but I don't want to open that can of worms. It's times like these that I really hate I have NO support system. I've had to move him alone the last two times there was a change. I'm trying not to spend too much money, but I'm going to have to pay someone to move the furniture. This will definitely be interesting.