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It’s hard to not feel bad as our parents decline. My dads short term memory is shot and recently his long term memories are getting confused. You just have to roll with it the best you can, tell them what they need to hear, divert and fib a little, or in my case with Dad, a lot.
You may find that your outings with mom create more confusion for her. It’s counterintuitive for us but simple routines are usually best as dementia increases. We tend to think we need to entertain, gets folks out of the house etc but it’s not always for the best.
As time went on.. 3 years later my mom started getting signs of dementia as well. They both became very confused at night so I got night caregivers.. then added more caregiving hours as they became less able to really do any daily type of tasks.
It is so difficult to care for a person who has no abilities to do any tasks.. even when they showered became a problem. They even had problems finding a station on the tv or using the phone or the tv remote. They were extremely bored by themselves and wanted me there all the time.
The caregivers I got just did the very minimum.. some didn't interact with them at all. They were supposed to encourage showers but basically just asked them if they wanted one and they said no.. so they left it at that. Their cooking was mostly substandard, they only did "light" housework... which evidently doesn't include dusting. I took the evening shift to watch them.. after I got off work and before the night shift arrived. My involvement in their care was extremely more and more overwhelming. They NEVER wanted me to leave them.
Eventually, this summer I realized that memory care (although extremely expensive) actually was less expensive then almost 24/7 caregivers.. and made the excruciating decision to move them to memory care. Its a difficult transition but the good news is my involvement in their care now isn't so overwhelming. They now have activities they can do at the memory care.. and others to see to it that they shower..etc.
You might look into memory care.. It isn't too late. Your mom may enjoy that more structured environment... and it may become less of a stress on you.
But as it turns out, after a good go at it, this just happens not to be proving ideal for your mother. Her feeling at a loss when she returns home - sort of aimless? Adrift? - makes it sound as if she might well benefit from the more structured routine of memory care, with constant direction, a pattern to each day, a variety of people and activities around her. And - perhaps? - no void where your dad used to be.
Is there a facility you have in mind? Why not at least take a closer look at it; maybe ask if they can offer a trial period. But no, you've never missed the boat. If something isn't working, it's never wrong to think again.
My Dad had 3 shifts of caregivers every day and that worked out great, but it was breaking the bank at $20k per month. Thus when Dad decided it was time to leave the big old house he was surprised how much he was saving by moving into a really nice senior living facility. Cost was around $6k-7k per month, and he had enough in his budget to keep his favorite caregiver to help him in the morning as a routine. He loved being around people of his own age, and enjoyed his table-mates at each meal.
The secret is to move one's parent into Memory Care while they still are able to find their way around the complex, learn the Staff, and be able to make new friends.
Downsizing was interesting. One thing I learned, if Dad want to bring all 200 of his books, it was much easier to let him have his books. Surprising all his bookcases fitted in his studio apartment. Something to think about when the times comes for your Mom to move.
I looked after my mother and the details of her life her last six years. Over that time she began showing signs of dementia and in the last two years it was pretty bad.
One thing I noticed was that there were a lot of similarities between the two conditions.
Which brings me to my point - finally.
Most individuals with autism thrive on routines- in many such as my son it is essential. Routine provides them with reassurance- they feel safe and in control as they know what comes next.
While this “knowing what comes next” may not be as concrete with someone with dementia- I can’t help but believe some of it gets through - maybe like an unconscious muscle memory.
You mother has short routines on the days she is with you but seems lost when she’s not.
Perhaps moving to a facility that specializes in dementia- memory care - would provide her with routines everyday that would make her feel more stable and safe.
When it comes down to it - when what’s happening now is no longer working - it certainly makes sense that’s its time to try something else.
BTW - the same path of reasoning holds true for having a smaller space to live in - there is less of a rattling around/getting lost feeling.
The other thing I looked at was the outside area and how freely the residents are allowed to use it because my parents love to sit outside weather permitting. Their facility has a large backyard and patio that you would see in a home setting and the doors are open for them to freely go outside as long as the weather is ok. They also have a house dog and families are allowed to bring pets in to visit if they wish.
Also the facility my parents are in encourage residents to be outside their rooms during the day. Few residents stay holed up in their rooms.. they are always in the main areas during the day.
It's good to think about these things up front. Did the residents seem higher functioning? Lower functioning? Cliquish? Did you like the DON, or did she impress as Atilla the Hun? (no disrespect meant to Huns).
Our first attempt at moving mom was to a lovely AL where several family members resided. It was simply a poor fit. Mom didn't need the help they were offering (ADLs and Medication Management) and she DID need lots of reassurance. Which Attila didn't like giving. She thought mom was a whiner.
So when mom toddled into her office on day three with her BP meter which read 210/110 and mom, instead of just showing it to her said "I think my BP meter is broken" she told her to stop being so needy.
SIL found mom unresponsive in her room later that night and she was rushed to the ER. When the AL found out that we were moving mom, they demanded her deposit and a month's rent. We kindly offered not to sue them and they stepped aside.
It's SO hard to know when this is your first rodeo; I would move her (I'd have moved my mom into the original place again, because there was NO WAY to tell really that it wasn't going to work out); mom wouldn't visit the other family members "because she wears diapers".
Ultimately, mom ended up in a nice Independent Living Facility with nicer folks and more reassurance. And a doctor who gave her his cell phone number.