SOUNDS LIKE SHES BEIN A TURD.

Of course she probably isn't anywhere near ready for that yet.   But that
isn't the only option either, there are in-between sort of things you can
do.

I recall when my mother in law was still living on her own, paying her own
bills and cooking for herself, when her sister became ill and went into a
local hospital.   My MIL knew the whole area and had lived there for almost
45 years, yet she got lost for hours and hours, walking in circles, didn't
know how to get to the house or to the hospital.   When she finally did get
back home she was so traumatized she wouldn't go anywhere anymore.

Remember this is a progressively worsening kind of an illness.
Unfortunately some sort of regular assessment is needed, otherwise we (and
they) think they can do something because they always WERE able to do it.
But one day they can't.   Just as this one day your mother couldn't find her
way across the street where she has been going for a long time already, one
day she just couldn't do it.

I am glad you arranged for someone to help her find her way, because you
never know when this could happen again, and it might not be a friendly kind
helpful person who noticed her wandering lost, it might be a bad person with
bad intentions.

When my MIL was finally examined and fully assessed, we were told to NEVER
leave her unattended again, and we didn't.   She was also at that time still
able to make her bed, get dressed, apply makeup, and had many other skills
that you would hardly know that she was as impaired as she really was.   If
you asked her what to put into a chicken soup, she could sit and name the
things that went into it, just fine.   She knew what she wanted and could
articulate it well.   At that time she was still doing pretty much OK except
for a few little glitches, like getting lost in her own neighborhood.

She wasn't ready for anything vaguely like a locked ward either, but she
really did need someone around at all times to keep an eye on her that she
didn't get into a situation she didn't know how to get out of.   That meant
coming to live with us, but it still took a long time till we could get it
all together.

     I assume the independent living facility and assisted living
facility are owned by the same company.  Why was your mother permitted
outside alone?  Especially since these are employees who are familiar
with the level of care she requires.  Could her knitting group be
rearranged, so that the independent living ladies could cross the
street and meet up with your mother in the assisted living area?
    A few weeks ago, a woman with Alzheimers wandered away from her
nursing home in my area (Philly suburbs).  Her body was found about two
miles from the home, near the cemetary where her husband is buried.

Meg,

A locked facility.  That sounds horrible doesn't it?  It sounds like a
prison.  Well, it's not.

I work in an Assisted Living for persons with dementia. Our outside exit
doors are alarmed.  We do, however, have indoor courtyards and two side
yards that our Residents enjoy when the weather is good.

Yes, we are a "locked facility" but we're not the evil prison that some
people picture.

You need to know how lucky you are that she was picked up by a good and kind
person like that truck driver.  There are other people out there Meg, that
aren't so good and kind.

I'm not trying to scare you.  I'm sure you were proud of your mother.  I
watched my own mother go through different stages of assisted living, and it
was difficult to see her become less and less independent.

Bottom line is, you were lucky this time. We hear about people everyday that
wander away from home who are suffering from AD.  Most of the time, the
person isn't as lucky as your mom was.  Her safety is in your hands.  I'll
bet you remember how she held your hand when you crossed the street. Now
it's your turn to make sure she is safe.

It's a hard decision to make, but there are buildings that are locked that
are still warm and welcoming.  I suggest you look around at your options. I
hope you will be pleasantly surprised.

All my best,
Patty

Meg, congratulations for treating her with dignity.

I sympathise with caregivers and the difficult choices they need to make. As a
sufferer, I fear dying/injury more than loss of dignity or years of cloistering.

-
Mind control is being able to make all the voices in your head take turns.

Mod as a hooter!