Memory care homes are specifically designed to meet the needs of people with mental conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Dementia doesn’t only involve forgetfulness; confusion, delusions, disorientation, and agitation are symptoms of this condition. Obviously, dementia and Alzheimer’s requires specialized care from well-trained professionals who can meet the needs of people living with it.
Seasons Retirement has a specialized memory care program for older adults living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Click here to see how this program is run in the Canadian-based community.
Now, if you’re confused about when to consider moving to memory care, and you’ve been asking, “when is it time for memory care?”, we’ve got answers for you.
This article highlights all the signs and factors that show it’s time to move to memory care. Let’s set sail!
Factors That Make Memory Care Distinct
Some of the factors that make memory care different from other living communities include:
1. Emphasis On Safety
Since it’s normal for older adults with dementia to get confused or wander off, memory care communities ensure they are kept safe without compromising their independence.
2. A Proactive Approach To Activities & Socialization
Individuals who have dementia often lose their social skills and functions. Older adults living in assisted living communities can manage their own lives.
However, those in memory care may need help managing their relationships, socializing, and deciding how to spend their days.
3. Keen Awareness On Sensory Issues
People who have dementia are often overwhelmed by unfamiliar sounds and sights. Also, they may find great comfort in sensory stimulation.
Memory care communities work to keep older adults engaged and busy with productive and fun activities without making them feel threatened or overwhelmed. Therefore, the question about “when is it time for memory care?” will also depend on whether your loved one encounters any sensory issues.
Signs That Show It’s Time To Move To Memory Care
1. Your Loved One Is Neglecting Personal Care
Personal hygiene issues like body odour and unkempt hair are signs that it may be time to move your loved one to memory care. Likewise, forgetting to do laundry and baths and missing appointments are signs of dementia. Moving them to memory care will guarantee personal care and assistance with daily living activities to help them stay healthy and productive.
2. Living Conditions Are Subpar
If you notice your loved one is no longer taking care of their home, food gets spoiled in the refrigerator, and dishes are left unwashed, it may be time to move them to a memory care community.
Memory care communities offer housekeeping services, thereby helping your loved ones stay clean and well in their home.
3. Your Loved One Has Unexplained Physical Changes
Mobility problems, weight loss, and posture changes show that your loved one needs attention and assistance. It could be that they forgot to eat or failed to remember that they had already eaten. Also, mobility problems could be a sign of disorientation or confusion.
Memory care communities have the equipment needed to closely monitor your loved one’s nutrition and wellness to ensure they feed well.
4. You Worry About Your Safety
As the mental condition of your loved one worsens, they may begin to experience some personality changes, getting easily agitated and confused. These changes can lead to violence.
So, if your loved one is showing these signs and you’re worried about the safety of yourself and other people in your home, it’ll be best to move your loved one to memory care.
This relocation will help prevent casualties. Besides, memory care homes are acquainted with these signs and symptoms, and they understand how to help patients stay productive. So, if you’re asking, “when is memory care necessary”, now you have your answer.
5. You Worry About Your Loved One’s Safety Every Time
It doesn’t matter whether your loved one lives in an assisted living home or an independent living community; once you start getting worried about their safety, it’s time to consider moving to memory care.
Memory care communities have well-trained caregivers that focus on meeting the needs of people living with dementia and keeping them safe.
6. Your Loved One Is Neglecting Finances
One of the answers to “when is it time for memory care?” is when your loved one is no longer financially conscious.
If your loved one is residing in an independent living community, keeping watch over their expenses is necessary. Check if there are creditor and collection notices. Check for late notices on unpaid bills. Engage in an honest conversation with your loved ones about their financial life.
Some retirement homes like Seasons Retirement work around the clock to ensure that their residents live prudent, healthy, and successful lives.
Take note that neglecting finances is one of the signs of dementia and can put your loved one’s finances at risk. To prevent this from happening, move them to memory care.
7. You Are Exhausted
One of the signs it’s time for memory care is exhaustion. It’s normal for a caregiver to get tired of taking care of someone with dementia.
In fact, looking after older persons can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Yet, in most cases, caregivers allow their health to suffer in a bid to care for a loved one.
However, the well-trained professionals in memory care homes know how to care for the patients without stressing. Also, they work based on shifts and schedules, which helps them take care of themselves.
8. Your Loved One Wanders
Wandering is dangerous because a person with dementia could walk a long distance and not realize it. In most cases, they could become disoriented, confused, and even forget how to get back home.
Memory care homes have a tight security system and enclosed outdoor spaces to prevent your loved one from wandering off without a caregiver.
9. Your Loved One Is Lonely & Isolated
In most cases, people with dementia are left to stay at home alone since it’s risky to go out with them. In the long run, feelings of loneliness and isolation may creep in and cause depression in extreme cases. For this reason, it’ll be best to move your loved one to memory care.
There are engaging and active activities in memory care homes designed specifically for people with dementia. These activities are fun and purposeful. They also reduce some of the anxiety and agitation that this mental condition brings.
Bottom Line
This article answers the question of “how do you know when it’s time for memory care?”
So, if your loved one has dementia and is living with you or in a retirement home, make arrangements to move them to memory care.
You’ll be saving them from depression and other unfortunate circumstances, just as you’ll be saving yourself from exhaustion and worry.
