Hi,
My grandparents (Granny has Alzheimer's, Granda has vascular dementia) had to be moved into a nursing home at very short notice just after Christmas (15weeks ago). The nursing home is a 45 minute drive away from all family, so it's a bit of a trek getting there, etc. Otherwise, it is very good, although in the last month or so it has changed hands from a private owner to a company (don't know if that's the right term) ownership. My Grandad has been very unsettled in it for the past 2 weeks, everytime we visit he wants to come home with us and gets very agitated, we tell him that my granny isn't well so she has to stay and would he mind staying with her to keep her company...! He doesn't be too imrpessed but it does the trick.
My Mum, who was main carer for almost 10years got a phone call today to say that a nursing home 10 miles from home has a double room vacancy which would be ideal for my grandparents. She was told she had to decide by Thursday morning as the room could easily be filled by someone else. So, she went with one of her brothers tonight to see it (the other 4 brothers and 1 sister weren't too interested for a change!!).
She really liked it, although it isn't as clean and tidy as the one they're in now...but the crux of the thing is that the new closer nursing home doesn't have a lock on the main door...which is a major concern as my Granda is a bit of a wanderer...if he got out through the door they might never get him back in again. The lady my mum spoke to tonight reassured her that although it isn't locked as soon as it is opened an alarm sounds and a member of staff goes to it to see who it is...! Is this good enough? Surely it wouldn't be that difficult to put a wee lock on the door? The home they're in now has a code access lock on all their doors...
It's such a tricky decision, do we risk rocking the boat since they're relatively settled where they are to bring them closer to home or do we persevere where they are?? The other thing about them being closer to home is that we may be able to include them in some of their former activities since where they are now we don't know anywhere or anyone!
I hope this makes sense, and although I know you's can't make the decision for us I would appreciate your views...
Thanks so much...
Sony
My grandparents (Granny has Alzheimer's, Granda has vascular dementia) had to be moved into a nursing home at very short notice just after Christmas (15weeks ago). The nursing home is a 45 minute drive away from all family, so it's a bit of a trek getting there, etc. Otherwise, it is very good, although in the last month or so it has changed hands from a private owner to a company (don't know if that's the right term) ownership. My Grandad has been very unsettled in it for the past 2 weeks, everytime we visit he wants to come home with us and gets very agitated, we tell him that my granny isn't well so she has to stay and would he mind staying with her to keep her company...! He doesn't be too imrpessed but it does the trick.
My Mum, who was main carer for almost 10years got a phone call today to say that a nursing home 10 miles from home has a double room vacancy which would be ideal for my grandparents. She was told she had to decide by Thursday morning as the room could easily be filled by someone else. So, she went with one of her brothers tonight to see it (the other 4 brothers and 1 sister weren't too interested for a change!!).
She really liked it, although it isn't as clean and tidy as the one they're in now...but the crux of the thing is that the new closer nursing home doesn't have a lock on the main door...which is a major concern as my Granda is a bit of a wanderer...if he got out through the door they might never get him back in again. The lady my mum spoke to tonight reassured her that although it isn't locked as soon as it is opened an alarm sounds and a member of staff goes to it to see who it is...! Is this good enough? Surely it wouldn't be that difficult to put a wee lock on the door? The home they're in now has a code access lock on all their doors...
It's such a tricky decision, do we risk rocking the boat since they're relatively settled where they are to bring them closer to home or do we persevere where they are?? The other thing about them being closer to home is that we may be able to include them in some of their former activities since where they are now we don't know anywhere or anyone!
I hope this makes sense, and although I know you's can't make the decision for us I would appreciate your views...
Thanks so much...
Sony