We got mom there...

It was a struggle, but mom is safely residing at Inspired Living. The photo is of my husband Steve talking to my sister in the parking lot after Mom had been admitted. He is giving her directions of how to get back to Mom's house and avoid the traffic that is prevalent at that hour.

My sister was able to get her there and mom walked into the building. But after meeting the director and community manager, discovering that this meeting was about her going to "rehab" while my sister returned home to Massachusetts (we had already told her but she forgot), she calmly said no, walked out to the parking lot and stood by the car. Fortunately my sister had locked the doors.

The community manager, a sweet, kind and patient woman walked to the car with mom and the director and my sister followed. Steve and I were waiting in the lobby, hanging back if mom accepted the idea of going there, but prepared to offer support if something like this happened. We knew there was a strong possibility.

Mom refused to come inside, saying she wanted to go home. This lasted almost 2 hours in the hot sun. My sister motioned for Steve to come over and talk to Mom as he often can get through to her even when Kathy and I can't. Mom was resolute that she was not going in, she wanted to return home. Everyone at various times told her this was not an option. We had helped her live at home for the past 3 years and we had come to the end of the road, it was not possible anymore.

We knew she could not return home and had spoken with a number of professionals who have had much experience with this situation. We were prepared for the following: We called 911 for medical support and an ambulance took mom to an emergency facility a few blocks away. They evaluated her for a couple of hours and discharged her to Inspired Living by doctors orders. Fortunately, while at the emergency facility she had acquiesced to going there and the rest went smoothly. She did have to be admitted to memory care instead of Assisted Living. There is possibility that she could transition to the apartment we have set up for her in Assisted Living but know that she is in the hands of experts who will keep us informed of how mom is doing and what is possible. We are so impressed with the kindness, care, patience and time spent with our family navigating mom's illness. We know she is where she needs to be and are relieved. Steve is going to Mom's house today to pick up Mom's dog Beda to bring her here for her new life. Sadly we found out from my sister living there for the last 5 weeks that Mom was not always remembering to feed Beda the proper amount. Beda is fine, 11 years old, not too active, but we will get her up to speed.

Again, thank you for listening and all of your support. I'm sure you can hear my family's collective sigh of relief.