Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of conditions that impair memory and cause damage to cognitive processes that result in changes to an older adult’s abilities. When you are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you may regularly encounter situations that leave you wondering what to do. And you may find yourself with a lot of questions you don’t know how to answer.
One of the most common questions that dementia caregivers ask is How will I know when it’s time to move my loved one to a memory care community? While there’s no definitive answer to this important decision, a great place to begin is to learn about the benefits of memory care and how it can help address dementia-related challenges.
Is It Time to Consider Memory Care for a Loved One with Dementia?
Increased Safety Concerns
Without a doubt, safety concerns are a leading reason family members turn to the support of a memory care program. Some red flags that your loved one isn’t safe in a typical home environment might be:
- Wandering: This is a dangerous but common behavior for people with Alzheimer’s. They may leave home and become lost and unable to find their way back. The result can be serious injury or even a loss of life.
- Impaired balance and coordination: As the disease progresses, it can impact balance and coordination. This can lead to repeated falls and physical injuries, especially if the home environment isn’t set up to accommodate mobility problems.
- Poor judgment and forgetfulness: Dementia can cause compromise judgment, which can lead to safety issues such as forgetting something is cooking on the stove, mishandling sharp objects or poisonous cleaning products, or forgetting to lock exterior doors.
Memory care communities are secure, safe spaces that are designed to provide support for these normal disease-related issues.
Decline in Personal Hygiene
Another area families often have difficulty managing is tasks associated with a senior’s personal care. People with dementia frequently become fearful of water, which further adds to the struggle. Your loved one may:
- Be unwilling or unable to bathe on their own
- Have trouble with daily grooming, such as hair care and dressing
- Forget or be afraid to brush teeth and tend to oral hygiene
Professional caregivers in a memory care community are trained to assist with each of these needs.
Difficulty Maintaining Healthy Nutrition
Changes in appetite, a noisy environment and loss of manual dexterity are just a few reasons mealtime often becomes more challenging for people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. As a caregiver, you may notice:
- Unintended weight loss or gain
- Greater agitation or anxiety during meals
- Increase in colds and illnesses due to poor nutrition
Culinary teams at memory care communities typically have dedicated dining rooms/spaces for residents with dementia. They utilize best practices that encourage residents to eat, such as menus with healthy finger foods and quiet environments.
Changes in Behavior or Personality
One of the toughest parts of caring for a loved one with dementia is witnessing changes in personality and trying to manage the unusual behaviors that come with these conditions. Some issues you might be struggling with could include:
- Sudden mood swings
- Aggression or paranoia
- Increased anxiety or tearfulness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Disturbing nightmares
Team members in a memory care community are trained to safely manage these new behaviors.
Unmanageable Incontinence or Toileting Needs
While common with most forms of dementia, incontinence can be difficult (and embarrassing) for family members to handle at home. Some of the signs your loved one might benefit from memory care are:
- Frequent accidents
- Difficulty maintaining hygiene
- Skin rashes, infections or damage to the skin or underlying tissue
This is another area where the support of professional caregivers can make a big difference in both the senior’s and the caregiver’s emotional and physical well-being.
Consider Caregiver Burnout in This Decision
Finally, remember to take your own health into consideration. Caring for an adult with a memory-related condition is mentally and physically exhausting. Dementia caregivers are at especially high risk of experiencing a medical crisis of their own, from back injuries to depression, anxiety and insomnia. There are many support groups for at-home caregivers and one you might find especially helpful is Caregiver Way, an online resource offering answers to questions, support and input from other caregivers, and advice contributed by senior care experts. ASC offers Memory Care Respite to provide an opportunity for caregivers to take a break with the knowledge their loved one is in a safe, loving environment. It’s also a great way to explore memory care on a short-term basis.
One resource you might find helpful as you weigh your options is the ASC Memory Care Decision Toolkit. You’ll find two versions: one for memory care in an assisted living community, and another for memory care in a skilled nursing community.
We’re here for you and your loved one.
ASC has many memory care options throughout Indiana offering care provided by skilled, specially trained memory care nurses and caregivers. One of our memory care experts would be happy to meet with you and your family to discuss the needs and preferences for your loved one. You can find a location near you by looking into our Memory Care Assisted Living Apartments or our Memory Care Skilled Nursing communities.
