Deciding whether it’s time to consider moving a loved one to a memory care facility is an emotionally challenging process. You want what’s best for your loved one, but understanding just what that is can certainly be difficult. Though that person may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you don’t want to take them out of their home and away from everything familiar to them before it’s necessary. On the other hand, you don’t want to wait too long to make that transition, either.
Determining When the Time Has Come for Memory Care
Determining when the time is right to look into memory care facilities near me requires keeping a close watch over your loved one. Certain changes can indicate that people who are suffering from dementia can no longer take care of themselves. Watch for the following warning signs that your loved one needs more care than he or she could receive at home.
A Decline in Physical Health
For one, consider your loved one’s physical health. If they seem to be losing weight, that could be a sign of poor nutrition. With dementia, several factors can lead to inadequate nutrition. Those may include difficulties with preparing meals. It could stem from your loved one forgetting to go grocery shopping or intentionally avoiding it. Seemingly unexpected weight loss could also be the result of simply forgetting to eat.
Beyond otherwise unexplained weight loss, other signs of failing health could enter the mix. Your loved one may start missing doctor’s appointments. Consider checking with their doctor to find out if that has been happening.
You may also want to keep track of your loved one’s medications, if possible, to determine if they’re taking them the way they’re supposed to. If their prescriptions seem to last longer or run out faster than they should, those are certainly warning signs that more in-depth care and supervision are necessary. That’s also the case if you notice any indications that your loved one isn’t managing chronic medical conditions the way they once did.
Increased Injuries
An increase in injuries is another sign to watch for. Unusual bruises and scratches could mean your loved one is falling or bumping into things more than they normally would. Burns on your loved one’s hands or arms could indicate that they’re struggling with cooking. If your loved one no longer seems to be safe at home, it’s time to look for a memory care facility.
Mental Health Concerns and Isolation
Changes in mental health are also warning signs to watch for. Though people of all ages can suffer from depression and anxiety, these conditions are particularly dangerous for people with dementia. Some of their symptoms actually coincide with those of worsening dementia, so they often go unnoticed.
At the same time, elderly people and those who are living with dementia are at an increased risk of isolation. Isolation places people at a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression and vice versa. If your loved one is more withdrawn than normal or displaying symptoms of mental health issues in addition to progressing dementia, transitioning to a memory care facility could be the best choice.
Making the Best Choice for Your Loved One
Determining the right time to transition a loved one to a memory care facility isn’t a straightforward process. The warning signs listed here are indications that people who are suffering from dementia need more care than they can provide for themselves or receive at home. If any of these has become an issue, consider speaking with your loved one, their doctors, and family members to help you make the decision. Though making the move to a memory care facility may be difficult for your loved one and you, rest assured it’s the right choice to ensure they get the care they need.
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