My mum went into a care home this week and seems to have settled in but because she wont sit still for very long, she is walking around and around, so yesterday when I visited i noticed she has started leaning.

In her old home, she rarely sat down but there was no where to walk and I wonder if she is wearing herself out. She has rheumatoid arthritis and I am sure it is not good to walk so much, so this could be part of the issue. The carers are trying to keep her occupied with something to make her sit, but 10 minutes later she is up and walking around.

I have looked at some articles and it seems this may be a common symptom of alzheimers.

PS For all of those tearing themselves up about making the move from home to care home, I can say that this was the best decision we made for everyone. Mum is getting her needs seen too, has carers around 24/7 and is safe and warm. We could not leave her alone for a minute before and sleeping was difficult for her partner because she would be up and fiddling downstairs and everything had to be kept out of reach or turned off.

Yes there is guilt but relief as well.