It can be difficult to make the decision to move a parent or loved one with dementia into a memory care facility. You may worry about their safety or feel like you are giving up on them. However, in many cases, it is the best thing for both your parent and yourself.
If you aren’t sure when to make the choice to find a memory care center for your aging parent or relative, look out for the following signs:
- Their living situation is no longer safe or comfortable
- They are forgetting to take care of themselves or are unable to do so independently
- They are becoming agitated or aggressive
- They are experiencing isolation or depression
- You can no longer handle their care independently
These facilities can provide your loved one with the care they need and allow you to focus on providing emotional support and companionship for the senior. If someone you love has recently been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, reach out to our team today to schedule a tour of our San Antonio memory care facility.
Keep reading to learn more about the signs that it might be time to consider memory care for a loved one living alone.
1. Safety and Comfort Concerns
Safety is the most important factor to consider when deciding if it’s time to move your parent into a memory care or assisted living facility.
Living at home can present hazards for someone with dementia, including:
- Tripping and falling over objects that have been left out
- Wandering off and becoming lost
- Cooking or using appliances incorrectly
- Becoming easily confused or forgetful about time and place
Memory care facilities provide around-the-clock care and supervision, as well as a safe and secure environment for your loved one. This can be especially important if your parent is prone to wandering or becoming lost.
Additionally, memory care facilities provide a number of creature comforts to residents to make the move as pleasant as it can be. Amenities like comfortable furniture and bedding, plenty of activities and social opportunities, and tailored meal plans can help your loved one feel at home.
2. Signs of Declining Personal Care
If your loved one can no longer care for themselves or forgets to do so, it is likely time for them to stop living by themselves.
Seniors with memory problems can have difficulty taking care of themselves when living alone. Tasks such as remembering to take medications, getting dressed, and preparing meals can become increasingly difficult for someone living with dementia.
They may also struggle to complete daily tasks like bathing, brushing teeth, combing hair, or changing clothes due to issues with memory or motor skills. If you can no longer manage these tasks with your parent, it could be time to consider a memory care facility.
3. Changes in Mood and Behavior
Seniors with dementia can become easily confused, agitated, and even aggressive. Memory care facilities can provide professional staff and a safe environment for seniors who are exhibiting these behaviors.
Not only can these mood changes strain seniors’ relationships with their families and friends, they can also be dangerous if left unsupervised. Memory care can provide the support they need to stay safe and decrease their frustration in unfamiliar situations.
By providing a secure and compassionate environment, memory care can help seniors with dementia maintain their quality of life while keeping them safe and comfortable.
4. Loss of Community and Connections
Senior isolation can be a common problem for individuals with dementia who are living alone. As their condition progresses, visits from family and friends can become more difficult to manage.
Memory care can provide an opportunity for seniors to stay connected with their community as they can enjoy daily activities in the company of other residents and staff. This can help them feel a sense of belonging and can even create new friendships. The right memory care facility can help balance safety and comfort while providing social stimulation and an environment tailored specifically to their needs.
Memory care can also provide you with peace of mind that your loved one is not alone and can get the help they need if something goes wrong.
5. Caretaker Burnout
Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory disorders are difficult for patients as well as their families. Caretakers (typically adult children) often have to balance their loved one’s safety and well-being alongside other responsibilities, including their own children, jobs, social commitments, and finances.
It is normal to have complicated emotions when considering moving your loved one out of their homes and into a specialized facility. You might feel scared, guilty, or overwhelmed. However, it’s important to know when you have hit your limit. If you cannot sustain the caretaker role, the best thing to do for your loved one is find a team of professionals that you can trust.
A memory care facility can provide not only a safe and comfortable environment for your loved one, but can also help families and friends find peace of mind in knowing that their loved ones are receiving the highest level of care.
At our San Antonio memory care facility, residents can enjoy a community atmosphere while getting the care they need. Our team can help seniors with activities of daily living and can provide 24-hour supervision in a secure environment.
If you are unsure if it is time to move your loved one into a memory care facility, contact us today for more information and to schedule a tour of our facility. We can help you determine if a move into memory care is the right decision for your family.
