Expert: Paula Damgaard - 8/19/2007

Question
My father is looking to place my mother in an assisted living facility.  She was diagnosed with AD in February 2002, at the age of 68.  He has been her primary care giver for this time. She has wandered in the past and we are very concerned for her safety.  She has been on the waiting list at several facilities and has been either declined or has been passed up for placement.  We are concerned that the facilities do not want to take on the flight risk.  Is that something that these faculties take into consideration when placing patients?  If so, how do we find a facility to take her.

Answer
Dear Jan, they absolutely take that into consideration.  They have no choice.  You place a loved one in a home and you have certain expectations, you expect her to be well cared for, feed, and above all safe.  They do not have enough staff to guarantee you that she will always be "safe" in an assisted living environment.  Liability is enormous for them.  

My suggestion would be for you to contact your local Alzheimer's Association and ask them if they know of any homes in your area that have special Alzheimer's units.  These units have locked doors so that the patients cannot wander off without the knowledge of the staff.  They have to have special licenses to run these facilities.  Not all of them are as good as others, so hopefully you will have a choice!  

I wish you lots of luck in finding something for your mom, that is safe and able to meet your expectations.  Please remember that places that have "nice fancy" environments don't always have the best care.  Talk to other family members of the residents in the places you look at and see how they find the place.  Go interview the place unannounced.  If you call ahead it allows them to put on their "happy" faces and show your their "we're expecting visitors" acts.  

Let me know how it goes.  Paula