It is never easy for a family to know about a loved one being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are chronic and progressive mental conditions that get worse over time and it is not possible for any one person or family to continue caring without medical intervention.
It can become increasingly challenging to continue caring for them at home as the disease progresses. This is where the role of a memory care facility comes into play. As the symptoms of these age-related cognitive diseases unfold over a certain duration, it can be very difficult to understand the signs indicating the need for memory care.
As situations vary from one person to another, understanding when memory care is appropriate is crucial. Memory care facilities offer assistance to senior citizens with memory-related conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s with the goal of improving their quality of life along with full medical assistance. These facilities can have health and exercise routines, 24-hour security and supervision, emergency call support, a safe environment, and social activities. In this article, we will talk about certain signs that can indicate it’s time for memory care.
Signs It’s Time For Memory Care:
- Difficulty in doing daily activities: The progressive decline in abilities due to dementia can come with increased challenges which can affect their activities of daily living and independence. If you are facing challenges while maneuvering or lifting a loved one for bathroom visits, it can be very dangerous for them to be at home. Chronic incontinence due to dementia and Alzheimer’s can pose serious health and safety hazards. When situations arise due to incontinence, it can lead to infections and the lack of equipment and supplies at home can prevent them from getting adequate help.
- Increasing forgetfulness: We are all forgetful on some level. But when your loved one forgets important dates, familiar places, names, and ways to do daily activities, it is not normal. These can be the first signs of dementia and you should quickly book an appointment with a psychiatrist. In the beginning stages, it is okay to keep your loved one at home for as long as possible and become the primary caregiver. But this is your best opportunity to start your research on licensed memory care facilities in your area. It can ensure a smooth transition from home to memory care as the signs and symptoms become overwhelming in the future.
- Delusions and hallucinations: Your loved one can experience hallucinations and delusions with the progress of dementia. It can be very difficult for them to navigate their lives at home when they are seeing and experiencing things that are not real. The delusions can also put you in danger and can be a strong signal for memory care assistance.
- A decline in overall health: The ability to do normal things like driving, shopping, cooking, and eating becomes difficult as memory loss sets in. The circadian rhythm is greatly interrupted when they start losing track of days and times and can contribute to insomnia, other sleep disorders, and sundowner’s syndrome. You can also look out for other physical signs of memory loss like loss of appetite, overall weight, not taking or overtaking medication, sunken posture, neglected personal hygiene, inexplicable injury or bruises, unpaid bills, or missed appointments.
- Isolation or loneliness: Dementia can shrink one’s social life completely which can also accelerate the condition. Memory care facilities offer supervised excursions, daily activities, and creative outlets to reinforce positive social lifestyle changes. Residents can feel connected to society and enjoy the benefits of a care facility at the same time.
- Your own stress: Caregiver burnout is a real thing that should not be ignored. It is a 24/7 occupation that will gradually become impossible to sustain. Even with qualified in-home caregivers, the need for increased medical assistance and the enormous levels of continuous work can be more than what you and your home can accommodate. If you have reached or approached a point where being a caregiver is consuming all of your time and effort, it is time for memory care. Memory care facilities can involve you in important care decisions and still leave you with time for yourself.
You can typically tell that your loved one is ready for a memory care facility when the needs go beyond what you can afford and provide as a primary caregiver at home. Of course, the transition period is a highly emotional moment for every family member. Hence you can have an open discussion with all the family members along with the memory care facility’s medical team to understand the progress of the condition and the kind of support that will be given. Discuss long-term mindful care plans to enhance their quality of life- so that they can stay healthy and continue to live an active life.
