I'm debating the idea of my mom going to Florida again this winter as she has done for so many years. She would be with her boyfriend.

She truly hates Michigan winters and would be absolutely miserable if she has to stay. I'm enrolling her in safe return and medic alert, and getting a pill dispensing machine for her. I will ask that her boyfriend keep an eye out so that he knows if she's swallowing the pills and is willing to tell me if she's not.

I'd like to be able to figure out a way for her to be there for a short time at least. Ideally I'd
like to go down, too, and rent a house or something while she's there, but I doubt that I could afford anything in season.

Does anyone knows of a good agency or place to start? I know I may be totally unrealistic about getting her there, but it's worth it to try
Thanks,
K

My parents lived in North Fort Myers before we insisted they move back north to be near my sister after Mother was diagnosed with early stage AD.

We used the Lee Memorial Health System Memory Disorder Clinic for her testing and diagnosis. They were extremely thorough and informative regarding the diagnosis and what to expect.

We also used Senior Bridge geriatric care management serivces for a year. My parents were both diabetic with CHF and COPD and Mother had been having a lot of falls for which Dad had to call 911 to get her up. I hired Senior Bridge to go in and assess each of their sitations, find out what was going on and get them medically stabilized and arrange for any services that might be called for.

The nurse came once a week for a general visit and also went with them to all doctor appointments. She reported to me by email and/or telephone. This worked very well but was expensive.

Neither of these places are really what you are asking about though. I wated to list the info in case others looking for resources in the Ft. Myers area could use it.

I would suggest in your case that you start with the local aging council for services that may be available in that area. One thing to consider though is that many services are available to residents of the area. As a tourist your options may be more limited.

From your other posts concerning guardianship, etc., I can't help wonder if this trip you are contemplating will be an awful lot of confusing changes in a short period of time for her to adjust to. You do not trust the boyfriend to take proper care of her in her current location (hence the need for guardianship proceedings), but you will trust him to do right by her some 2,500 miles away. It would be better if you could accompany her rather than relying on the boyfriend.

But still, you have described behavior in her recently that is very confused and agitated. Travel is very hard on those with dementia. She is likely to be even more agitated and confused upon arrival (and also upon return back home again). I can't help but wonder if this trip might cause more problems than it solves.

Kdoglady, I vividly remember the last trip I took with mom to Las Vegas. It seemed it was a good idea at the time, believe me.

We flew (I'm not sure if you're talking about them driving or flying) and my mother, who was about Stage 4/5 and cooperative, became really disoriented starting at the airport with the checkpoints. She was not able to perform the shoe removal, going through the metal detector, etc. quick enough for the notoriously impatient security people, who continued to bark their orders while I tried to assist her. I tried to explain her situation to them, they weren't making any accommodations for her whatsoever and we did end up having private screening, which upset her a great deal because she thought she had done something wrong. The whole airport experience distressed her terribly.

While we were in Vegas, I stuck like glue to her and she still managed to get away from me when I was trying to pay for something. She wandered to another store and I spent 10 of the most terrifying minutes of my life trying to find her.

There were other things that occurred, but you get the idea. While Ft. Myers is not anything like Vegas, the whole experience for her (and for me) was a very distressing few days and I realized that she was no longer able to travel.

I really don't feel the boyfriend has shown that he has her best interests at heart and I don't think he would monitor her medication or even report her wandering in a timely manner to allow the best chance for her to be found.

I know your heart is in the right place, you just want to give Mom a final enjoyable winter, but her judgment is impaired now and the boyfriend really isn't sounding like a person I'd want to rely on.

Keeping her in a familiar place is the best course here.

I'll try this again. I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with or knowledge of a good home health care service in Ft. Myers?

Acucare Home Health Care, "Just Like Family" Home Care, and Nurse Core have all been recommended by an acquaintance. Does anyone know anything about these?

Please reserve your other comments.

Kdog,I don't know of any help in Ft. Myers. I know these answers seem harsh, but these people are truly concerned about your mom's safety. If you have participated much here (and with 174 posts, that's enough),you can tell how kind, caring and patient this community is.

Hi Kdog,

I wanted to chime in about ways to find help in Florida. The local Alzheimer’s Association Chapter in Florida can provide you with a listing of home care agencies in the area to help. Here is what I found on the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter website about resources http://www.alz.org/flgulfcoast/index.asp
"The Chapter maintains updated information on home care, adult day care, care coordination, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, eldercare lawyers and transportation available in the community. Our staff and trained professionals can help assess whether a specific care provider meets the needs of an individual with Alzheimer’s."

For more information, please contact us:
By phone: 1.800.272.3900
By e-mail: milnel@alzflgulf.org

Also, if you visit http://www.caremanager.org/ you can find a Ft Meyers Geriatric Care Manager who is a professional that often works with families who have long distance caregiving needs. This professional often assesses the person and living situation and makes recommendations for care. They may help the person visit the doctor, and report to you about the person’s conditions and any important issues.

Best of luck!

Thank you Jaimie E. This is the kind of information I have been looking for.
K

quote:

Originally posted by jackie b:
Kdog,I don't know of any help in Ft. Myers. I know these answers seem harsh, but these people are truly concerned about your mom's safety. If you have participated much here (and with 174 posts, that's enough),you can tell how kind, caring and patient this community is.

Thank you Jackie. I agree that most of the time, the comments are given in kindness. However, with 484 posts of your own, you (should) know that not all comments are caring or helpful.

If advice is given in an offensive manner, is it effective or helpful? Is the message or the tone remembered? I think someone's signature line here says, "People will always remember how you make them feel."