Mom is in the independent living section of an AL she chose. She’s been there for a year and now she doesn’t like it so wants to move. She has moderate stage Alzheimer’s and she is beginning to have enough issues that she needs a higher level of care. Her current facility has memory care and as an existing tenant she has priority for getting that level of care over new tenants when she needs it. The place she wants to move to is double the cost of the current facility and that is for the same level of care she currently receives. She has a retirement and social security that more than fund current monthly facility costs. To pay for the new facility she will need to dip into her investments. There is no issue with her doing this because it is her money. However as she needs more and more help with daily living the costs will increase. Her monthly income is too high to qualify for Medicaid or Patriot Angels. If she exhausts her investment income, will I as her Power of Attorney agent be responsible for paying for her care?
She isn't happy where she is because her brain is broken and changing her perception. She will probably never be happy where she is again, I am sorry for saying that, I have seen this disease to many times to believe otherwise.
I would have a new assessment done and move her to the level of care she needs, keeping in mind that self-pay has more choices. Do either of these facilities accept Medicaid? If not then IMO it would be better to keep her where she has been getting care and move her to the next level required. Or check out facilities that have the levels of care she will need as she progresses that allow self-pay and then accept Medicaid. No reason to not plan for escalating care requirements, it is the one certainty of this awful disease.
As Monica19815 mentioned check with the state where you live to determine if you will be financially responsible. In most states no you would not be responsible. A good Elder law attorney would be the one to consult.
I am sure you could discuss what should be done as well as letting them "back off" for a while to see how she does. Just knowing that there is help there for her if and when she needs it might be all she needs at this time. When my Husband was in day care at a memory care facility then for respite the staff was pretty good about letting the residents set their own pace, at least as far as I could tell.
A "good" facility and a "good" director should take your desire to keep her safe as well as Moms desire to be as independent as possible. Somewhere there is a happy medium.
It would be cheaper than a move and give you a different perspective on her reality.
Just a thought, I know how hard it is to balance all the senior items that require attention. This will work out eventually.