My brother and SIL are caregivers for our 97 yr old mother. They took on this responsibility three years ago for monetary compensation. Now that they no longer need the money, they want to place her in a senior home. My husband and I are in our late 70s and cannot care for her full time. So far we've helped out by taking her 2 to 3 days a week without any monetary compensation. I have POA for mom. I'd like to know what I need ahead of time for the transition from private home to senior care facility. Our mom needs assisted care, plus she has moderate dementia. Will I need to have her mentally evaluated, or is that something the facility determines once she has become a resident? My heart hurts. My brother assured me he would never put her in a senior home. I realize that burnout isn't something most caregivers expect to have, but this was so sudden.
Start touring facilities now. If Mom is on the dementia journey, it’s best that she go to a skilled nursing facility and not to Assisted Living. That way, as her condition declines, you won’t have to move her again. They will evaluate her. If she needs to be in their Memory Care unit, they will tell you. You can call a Care Conference any time if you have questions or concerns, and you should be scheduled for one every three months.
When you decide on a facility, you’ll have to fill out many papers. If you need to apply for Medicaid their financial office can help you. It’s good that you already have POA. That makes it easier.
Good luck. Come back and let us know how it works out.