I'm thinking in general terms and not about my LO in particular, and obviously there are variables galore that impact this decision. As dementia progresses, is there a behavior or cluster of behaviors recognized by the medical community that point to a move from assisted living to memory care?
I honestly was surprised at the Staff request, but I realized this wasn't their first rodeo, it was my first. Since I wasn't around Dad all day, I didn't see how he was managing when I wasn't there. His private caregiver did mention to me that Dad's mind was becoming confused, but I was in denial. It wasn't until the Staff meeting that I realized this was real time.
I was worried how Dad would take moving from a nice 2 bedroom apartment into an one room studio. I did joke with him it would be like going back to college and having a dorm room. And I did a therapeutic fib saying this would be cheaper, which Dad really liked the sound of that. Dad's only concern were the meals, if it would be the same chef... yes it would be, thus Dad was ready to pack his things.
Thus, it is the Staff that evaluates when it is time for someone to enter Memory Care. In Dad's complex, it was the top floor that was dedicated to Memory Care, and they had their own separate dining room which was set up like a posh restaurant with a printed menu, same as what Dad had in Independent Living.