Home or Assisted Living?
My widowed mother (90) has been in assisted living for a couple of weeks (fell at home, hospital stay, then SNF and now ALF). She HATES it and wants to go home. Of course. She's an introvert and hates the activities there so I don't have much hope she'll settle in and make friends.
She's incontinent, a fall risk, has limited mobility and mild cognitive impairment. The medical professionals recommended she shouldn't be left alone for more than a couple of hours at a time. But hiring 24/7 home caregivers will be far too expensive.
It seems awful to say, but I've been thinking if living alone shortens her life, at least she'll be happier in her remaining days.
Has anyone had a similar situation and made it work with a parent living alone and with caregivers during the day and only a medical alert system overnight? Honestly from what I've seen at the ALF, they just rely heavily on Medical Alert pendants and emergency pull cords, so would it really be that different to just have those at home? I have POA but am struggling with her right to decide (knowing the risks) vs my duty/desire to keep her safe.
Edit: it seems clear now that my mom needs to stay in assisted living and make the best of it. It helped to hear some of your similar experiences, thank you.