My mom was living independently and had some health issues, falls and hospitalization. After rehab she is now living in an assisted living facility. We were hoping she could transition to independent living, but she will not do anything for herself. Will not get out of bed except for meals that are delivered to her room, won't go to the dining room and will not participate in anything. It has only been a week. When we visit she just stays in bed, no tv, no radio, no computer, nothing. She is obviously depressed, and I don't know how to help her. She won't walk with us, we offer to join her in the dining room for her meals, she is not interested in anything.
Good luck to you
Good luck.
I would tend to say: give her time to adapt, while monitoring her physical and emotional health very closely. Make sure she's getting the right nutrition and hydration. Make sure she's taking any vitamins and Rx her physician recommends. Make sure her new AL home is as inviting and comfortable as possible.
Look for small changes that indicate she's adjusting: getting out of bed, talking and laughing with you, doing something she loves in her own apartment, meeting a neighbor, joining meals.... It will take time.
My mother moved to a big, beautiful home to be near to me in her mid80s. The move was entirely her choice, and she was living in a community she knew very well. She was within walking distance of me, and I saw her daily. It STILL took her MONTHS to really adjust to the move. It was her FINAL move. This was where she would grow VERY old, or not old enough. The reality of the end of life hit her hard.
I knew she had turned a corner many months later when she agreed to let me plant a tree. Prior to that she'd just say, "I don't need a tree. I won't see it grow." She can now see that tree out of her 2nd floor bedroom window and talks about how big and beautiful it is.
Consult with staff and her doctor, too as you watch her adapt. The professionals know the expected stages and how to help her re-engage in life.
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