My mother is now in assisted living and doing quite well.   I've noticed
that most of the residents I have met so far do not seem to have dementia.
But they're the ones that come up and introduce themselves and tell us how
much they love the place.   Mom's learned where her apartment is and how to
get to the dining room.   It only took a day for her to learn it.   The
heater in her apartment is like what you see in motel rooms and she really
can't regulate it.   I went over the morning after she moved in and she had
it turned off and it was a little chilly.   I reset it and put a sticker on
it that says Do Not Touch and so far so good.   She seems quite happy there.
She did ask how much her rent is and I told her.   She looked surprised and
said " I can afford this?"   I assured that she could and she seemed
pleased.   I organized her closet and drawers and I noticed she had dirty
laundry in the bathroom so she had changed her underwear on her own.
Doesn't sound like much but for her it is.    I really haven't noticed any
change in her memory.   I was afraid with a new place she might get a little
worse but she's doing fine.   My brother now says this is the best place for
her.   He doesn't have as much responsibility and although he never
complained I think he's enjoying the extra freedom.   I've placed laminated
notes on the fridge  that lists the meal times and another by her phones
that list important phone numbers.   Hope I've thought of everything but if
not I'll take care of it when necessary.   I'm so glad she's where she needs
to be for now...........June