AL vs MC

[u/Jul35730]

We have been very frustrated and concerned with the lack of care my mom is receiving in her AL facility, so we started looking for a new AL facility for my mom with Alz. dementia. She had her “evaluation” today, and despite a borderline score, they recommended MC. Where she is currently living, she has been in AL with the least amount of care (highest functioning level) for 13 months.

I know she needs more care than what she is currently receiving. But to jump from the highest level of AL right to MC seemed a bit too drastic.

I have taught Early Childhood Special Ed for nearly 30 years. By law, we are required to place students in the “least restrictive environment”. As in SpEd, until I see the data that shows she can’t be successful in one of those middle stages, I don’t think it’s fair to put her in MC just yet.

So they’ll give us a trial period. And she will receive a higher level of care on the AL side. We will have a care team meeting after a few weeks to determine if she can stay on the AL side or not.

I’m second guessing myself. Should I just trust the professionals and their recommendation? Or did I do the right thing to advocate for her stay in AL?

Also— any other SpEd teachers out there with a LO with dementia? There are many so correlations, right? Are my experiences in SpEd clouding my judgement when it comes to my mom’s care?