Does moving speed decline?

I am wondering the same thing.....we just purchased a new home because he wants to make sure the kids and I are secure when he can't do anything anymore. This past weekend, it took both of us over 20 minutes to figure out how to get the pilot light on for the water heater. I'd never done it, and he couldn't remember how to do it.

I've been wondering the same thing too, as I'm planning a major move after being in a rental. I'm just so confused with where to go. The adult kids have their own lives, two of them don't talk to my husband the other two are spread between Texas and North Carolina. We're in Florida. So trying to make the decision of moving closer to some family is tougher for me, as naturally I'd want to be where my biological son is in Texas, however, he's too busy between jobs and ice hockey travelling with the two grandsons. And I never saw Texas as a retirement hub for my husband and I either. Doctors are established here in Florida, we've been here for 15 years. My husband's brother and sister moved to Maine, That's a no go for me. Too cold. So I may have just answered my question. Stay local and weather through the home prices, etc. in this area, which has become overpopulated with people but great medical. Many of you have shared a similar situation so thanks to all who have shared what they ended up doing while caregiving.
Best,

Robert Sapolsky on long term memory: short term memory does not store information. (See a phone #. Make the call. Forget the number.)
Long term memory is for "important" stuff. It "goes over a neural 'hump' " and is stored for retrieval.
An expert plumber had severe dementia, but given a broken fixture, he set about repairing it as he'd done for 40 years. Is there "muscle memory" too?
So, moving makes EVERYTHING short term memory, which has already failed. The loved one cannot use his old long term memory road map for the new territory, and his short term memory doesn't work anymore.
I once read about a care facility which created a "home" for the aged residents using all 1950s furniture and appliances for their comfort.

We recently moved to a new city- and there definitely was a drop in my husbands functionality and cognizance . I think that is usually the case in dementia related cases- we saw the same thing with his mother and grandmother who had dementia as well - I’m so sorry you are having to navigate such difficult circumstances - know you are not alone .

@kjc48 If it were me, I would opt for a location both you and your husband are familiar with. I think your present community sounds like where you are leaning toward. That makes sense to me. Most dementia patients don't do well with change even though you will be going into a new home if it is in the same community it can be less stress he has to deal with. If he is less stressed so will you be. An important consideration for me would be to be in a community where there was convenient top notch medical care and senior services geared towards serving people with dementia and their families. If you stay in Florida where you are now, you have the benefit of being established patients with your current doctors. As you mentioned, none of your family is nearby and you likely will not be able to count on them for respite care. I agree with you that you have just answered your own question. I wish you and your husband a smooth move and hope you can have fun feathering your new nest. Hugs!

@ocdogmom Thank you for always reaching out. You are so right. Tonight, my 50 year old son in Texas sends me a picture of his two new dogs, and that's the son that is travelling everywhere with his hockey sons. So, what does that tell you or me? When would he possibly have time for me, and you're correct respite care. Not happening in Texas. Yes, funny, you sent me your note, and an hour before, I said to my husband at dinner, I think we need to just stay local and find another place to live. Established patients with current doctors is a big thing now, especially with what's going on with health care. Thank you, for reaching out. I love this Mayo connect site and the good people, like you, that are willing to help us figure it out.
Best,

@ocdogmom PS, "feathering your new nest" So upbeat and positive, and FUN. I love that. Best,

This is a good question. I am noticing that “change” seems to accelerate decline in my husband’s situation. He used to be able to do the laundry and operate the washer and dryer. Last year I replaced them (they were ancient!) and he was never able to operate the new controls on the new washer and dryer. When he tries something always goes awry, so I took that task on also. He will still help fold laundry but that is getting harder for him too, so I usually give him the easier items to fold and I tackle the other items.
I imagine if that type of change was ALL appliances, new cupboards, closets, etc it could be very challenging for my husband to adapt and “learn” a new house.

If a person has been diagnosed with dementia, their memory and ability of how to do things will eventually decline no matter where they live. That is the sad truth. I tend to be pragmatic, so we decided that it would be best to move sooner rather than later so that my husband had a better chance of adapting and also to ensure that the help and care he needed in the future would be available. For us, that meant moving to an independent living apartment in a CCRC in the community we know. For others, it might be moving to a smaller home with family nearby. Or staying put, knowing that home health care, assisted living or memory care would be available at some point not too far away. These are all hard decisions, but I think the caregiver also needs to prepare themselves for what comes next so they are able to continue to care for their loved one in the best circumstances possible far into the future.

@kjc48 I believe there are fulfilling and fun moments all around us in the universe. But for us caregivers it can be really hard to recognize the opportunities for fun if we are so focused on just getting the "to do" list done. Ever have fun with a can of whipped cream? Sure it will make a mess but you can have some really good laughs spraying it into each other's mouths. Or if it is hot outside, buy a couple of cheap squirt guns at the dollar store and go outside and try to spray each other. The Dollar store has lots of cheap toys that could be fun to try out. Just some random thoughts.