Some things I have learned

I wrote a few months ago about the decision to move Mom to an assisted living facility. It is a very nice place with all meals served, private "apartments", lots of activities, maid service, friendly staff and residents, just about anything a senior would want for a relaxing, worry free lifestyle.
What I did not know and probably many readers also don't is the effect a move has on a senior who is starting to have cognitive problems. There is no better word to use than traumatic. This move should have been made probably a year sooner when Mom could have remembered new surroundings, meal times, activity times, how to find her new "home" in the building with halls, and all the other things that are entailed in relocation. It is just too much for someone to absorb at once at that age. Have you ever felt overwhelmed with so many things to do? Think if you were 89 and had to learn a completely new lifestyle. It is very, very hard and it effects not only the new aspects of life but the older learned habits and practices are overrun with the new, causing extreme confusion. Since her move I have done a lot of reading on the subject and learned what a serious problem it is.
Unfortunately..... or maybe fortunately...... most of us will only have to face this once with a parent. If I am the survivor I hope my kids take charge a little sooner and insist upon an easier lifestyle before I am too far gone to understand the situation.
Ken