Are you sure you want to exit? Your progress will be lost.
Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
✔
I acknowledge and authorize
✔
I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
✔
I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
*If I am consenting on behalf of someone else, I have the proper authorization to do so. By clicking Get My Results, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. Please visit our Terms of Use. for information about our privacy practices.
Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
We find wet clothes hanging in her room, tons of thread off the spools etc. TV doesn't seem to entertain her. Any suggestions on what can keep her occupied?
I believe that she is washing her CLEAN clothes, not the dirty ones. That is most definitely a problem! If you go see her daily, you could limit the clothes she has in her closet and drawers. Maybe one outfit for the next day and one backup in your car.
I would have the microwave removed. She could put something metal in it. You may have to remove the shower gel, dish soap, et. all, unless someone can bring it with them - you or a companion. The soap and water could just as easily cause a fall, as clean her clothes.
At this point in her journey, it seems the best to limit her access to anything she can destroy or use inappropriately. Watch for hoarding food in unusual places also.
I'm wondering why her clothes are wet and what is with the thread off the spools? Is she attempting to sew? She may be agitated. Check with her doctor.
Her concentration isn't enough to follow a tv programme anymore so try songs that she loved from many generations or what she grew up with - songs that are up beat are best - short ones with a 'story' in them like ballads are good but mix them up a lot - she probably can follow them as most are 3 minutes or under -
Get a large unit to play them on so it doesn't go 'walk about' when some other resident sees it or attach a small unit to a piece of furniture
Did she have a nightly routine that she followed when well? If so perhaps something similar could be put in place for her. Dad has a busyness issue and seems to think he has to do something every night, it’s been suggested to me that I employ LEGO play, towel folding, good suggestions. I tried sweeping but he doesn’t seem to grasp what to do there. He also seems to try to get his things together for work the following day.
Adult therapy Coloring books (dollar store ) watch that no snakes, monsters are in them, and metallic gel pens, as she sees the glitter while coloring it amazes them. Under $15. For 100 on Amazon or EBay, Spiral bound Notepads to journal. thick yarn she can finger knit or crochet. Crossword puzzle books.
If your mom is in AL you are probably paying a small fortune, for which they should be providing activities or companionship, even if it's in a group, in the evenings. Maybe she could help resetting the tables for breakfast? Does she like puzzles of any kind? Has the AL introduced her to the other residents; maybe she find find a few to socialize with on a regular basis. Does she have a CD player? You could burn a disc of her favorite music.
My mom has a “talking book” that plays cassettes of books. She loves that, got it from state council for blind theyvare free and she gets new ones every week.
Try a fidget quilt—also known as fidget blankets. You can find them on Amazon or Etsy. Or if you know someone who sews, you can asked them to make one for you. They are really helpful for boredom and help sooth anxiety.
Sorry for what you guys are going through, it may be frustrating but it will all work out and be okay. Just a few ideas..... This may be a long shot but maybe something like crochet art kits, the one's for kids are easy to use and don't involve sharp needles so it's safer... or adult coloring books or water paint color art, the ones you paint using water onto art pieces then the color shows up automatically that way there are no accidents? Maybe jewelry art?
You could also use some sort of bin for her dirty laundry that's not easy for her to open.. idk if they make them but maybe a diaper bin with some sort of kid proof device, and inform the staff so that only they can open it during laundry time.
Maybe switch her body wash to bar soap? I can imagine it being harder to use up all the bar soap at night as easily as shower gel. But bar soap is also easier to drop during a shower and trip / slip on if she showers without assistance. If it all becomes hazardous for her, maybe it will time to start looking into 24 hr supervised residential care homes, just in case.
Or... you could even hire a caregiver to go to her AL for a couple of hours after her dinner to keep her occupied and busy until she lays down, or until she gets into the habit of a new hobby which a caregiver could also help with. I would def ditch the microwave.
I’m wondering if Mom isn’t bored, but Sundowning. What she’s doing seems like what someone would do if they were agitated and anxious. Maybe a meds adjustment?
I would take the microwave out if she doesnt know how to use it.
Agitated or anxious, think you have something there because we find things tossed behind her bureau all the time. Food, clothes, etc. I'll mention this to her doctor this week during her checkup. Thanks
My MIL's ALF has no night time activities. Dinner is over by 6:00 so afterwards she goes to her room. The ALF cleans and does her laundry once a week. She does have Dementia. Her hobby is sewing so taking away her buttons and threads could be a big issue. She washes her clothes in the shower and will use all of her body wash. I just can't keep of with this madness. I know it's the disease. She's not hurting herself however just realizing now that we found a wet shirt in her microwave. She doesn't know how to use but if she continues to play with it then maybe she'll get it working. Should we tell the staff to take it away just incase?
Please fill out your profile so we know a little about Mom and you.
I will assume that she has Dementia. Yes, they have a problem sitting. TV doesn't keep their attention because they really can't follow a plot. My Mom would take her clothes out of the closet and put them in the dirty clothes. I would remove the thread. She probably has no idea how to use it anymore. I left nothing Mom could hurt herself with. I carried nail clippers and nail files in my car.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I would have the microwave removed. She could put something metal in it. You may have to remove the shower gel, dish soap, et. all, unless someone can bring it with them - you or a companion. The soap and water could just as easily cause a fall, as clean her clothes.
At this point in her journey, it seems the best to limit her access to anything she can destroy or use inappropriately. Watch for hoarding food in unusual places also.
Get a large unit to play them on so it doesn't go 'walk about' when some other resident sees it or attach a small unit to a piece of furniture
Spiral bound Notepads to journal.
thick yarn she can finger knit or crochet. Crossword puzzle books.
Just a few ideas.....
This may be a long shot but maybe something like crochet art kits, the one's for kids are easy to use and don't involve sharp needles so it's safer... or adult coloring books or water paint color art, the ones you paint using water onto art pieces then the color shows up automatically that way there are no accidents? Maybe jewelry art?
You could also use some sort of bin for her dirty laundry that's not easy for her to open.. idk if they make them but maybe a diaper bin with some sort of kid proof device, and inform the staff so that only they can open it during laundry time.
Maybe switch her body wash to bar soap? I can imagine it being harder to use up all the bar soap at night as easily as shower gel. But bar soap is also easier to drop during a shower and trip / slip on if she showers without assistance. If it all becomes hazardous for her, maybe it will time to start looking into 24 hr supervised residential care homes, just in case.
Or... you could even hire a caregiver to go to her AL for a couple of hours after her dinner to keep her occupied and busy until she lays down, or until she gets into the habit of a new hobby which a caregiver could also help with.
I would def ditch the microwave.
Hope this helps a bit!
I would take the microwave out if she doesnt know how to use it.
How do the clothes get wet, for example.
Does the ALF offer any evening activities? (Live entertainment, bingo, read-aloud sessions? Movies?)
When is dinner in that facility? When is Mom's usual bedtime?
I will assume that she has Dementia. Yes, they have a problem sitting. TV doesn't keep their attention because they really can't follow a plot.
My Mom would take her clothes out of the closet and put them in the dirty clothes. I would remove the thread. She probably has no idea how to use it anymore. I left nothing Mom could hurt herself with. I carried nail clippers and nail files in my car.