Mom has been on the waitlist for a memory care unit and a room has finally opened up. They want to send the RN to do the evaluation soon. I’m nervous about how Mom will do and if she’ll be accepted or rejected based on this evaluation. Does anyone have any insight into the process? Are there any big reasons why they would turn us down?
What the assessment entails probably depends a lot on the facility itself as not every one of them is the same, but needing specialized nursing care is generally the only potential exclusion that comes to mind (while the MC unit has a nurse on duty, the day-to-day care is provided by more generalized staff, like a nursing aide you would hire to help in your home. NH residents need specialized nursing care.)
Aggressive/violent behavior might be another caveat, but there are medications which can calm a person without doping them up.
The facility we use has IL, AL and MC.
I see MANY people using various implements to assist in ambulation in AL (canes, walkers, wheelchairs.) It is called AL for a reason - some people need assistance with ADLs, such as bathing. Being unable to walk unassisted is not a gate to residence in AL. A certain amount of personal care is built into the cost they charge at this place. When care extends beyond that time, additional fees come into play. You should inquire about those costs and what is covered.
Our MC unit has people of all levels of ability. It also should not be limited to those who can walk unaided. Mom was still walking unaided, as were others, when she moved in 3 years ago. Last year she started using the rollator. Many residents were using walkers or rollators when they moved in and a few came in or have since moved into wheelchairs. Most residents still feed themselves, some have regressed to needing to be fed. Some still do most of their own self-care, some need help with some or all self-care. It does vary.
One of the primary reasons for MC vs AL is the need to keep the person safe (not wandering off.) When we were touring the place with mom, my younger brother kept insisting mom would be happier in AL. I disagreed, saying there's no one watching her and she could walk out the door at any time - well, she doesn't wander now he says. No, but this is not the same! Staff at that time said no.
Mom wasn't really aggressive, but was NOT happy about moving (we had to come up with a 'plan', as DPOA is not enough, but the facility wouldn't accept 'committals' aka guardianship.) Funny that before dementia kicked in, her plan was to eventually move to AL. When the time came, nope, she said she would never move into one of those places! They said just get her here, we'll handle it. They did get some Lorazepam ordered, very minimal dose, which can calm the person. As far as I am aware, they used it minimally during the transition and we only had to get it one other time when mom got a UTI (whoa nelly! that was quite the episode and her useless doctor didn't help!)
So, if mom is early, mid or even early later stage dementia and not really a problem either aggressively or needing extensive nursing care, you should be fine!
I hope that has helped you live each day enjoying the present. Positive thoughts and prayers!
The only reason someone may get turned down is if patient is extremely agitated and aggressive about not wanting to be there.
Memory care in AZ is a locked facility for people that have a hard time because of their broken brain. I have never seen anyone but staff walking around, all residents in wheelchairs and obviously very sick.
Other regions of the country call this kind of facility something else and memory care is nothing like in AZ.
The only reasons that come to my mind would be if she has violent tendencies or needs a higher level of care in a nursing home due to a health condition. Good luck.