Does Your Loved One Need a Memory Care Facility? 10 Signs You Can’t Ignore
When your parent or grandparent has Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, your role changes.
No longer are you the daughter, son, grandchild or spouse.
You now step into a new normal where you’re the caretaker, advocate and helper. When you have your own family and a job, it makes it even more difficult to step into this caregiver role.
Thankfully, with memory care living, you don’t have to. You can return to being the daughter, son, grandchild or spouse.
What Is Memory Care Living?
In memory care, residents are provided a safe, stimulating environment where they work on their memory skills. In some cases, they can reconnect with the special activities they used to enjoy. Examples may include painting, cooking or gardening.
Because they are supervised by specialized staff, this is an effective and comprehensive care option.
But how do you know when it’s time for specialized memory care? We’ve compiled a list of several signs that you can’t afford to ignore.
10 Signs That Your Loved One Needs a Memory Care Facility
1. They have a dramatic change in behavior.
The key is to look for something that is out of step with their normal personality. For example, if your mother is a very outgoing person but she suddenly withdraws, doesn’t accept social invitations and rarely leaves the house, you should pay attention. It means that it may be time to evaluate the situation.
2. There is a decline in personal hygiene.
Someone with signs of dementia may forget the details of how to do basic bathing and hairstyling. In some cases, they may not even remember how to take a bath or wash their hair.
3. They have severe periods of disorientation.
Does your loved one wander off only to get lost in their neighborhood? This type of disorientation is a sign of dementia, and it’s also very dangerous. It could place the safety of your loved one at risk.
4. They forget basic traffic rules.
For most people, following traffic rules is second nature. However, someone with severe memory problems may forget them, causing them to run red lights and place themselves—and others—in danger.
5. They become increasingly agitated and even violent.
Those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias can become extremely irritable and aggressive. It’s not unusual for them to threaten caregivers or relatives.
In this case, memory care is an important option. The specialized health care workers in memory care units are specifically trained to deal with and de-escalate these situations.
6. They neglect chores of daily living.
Have you visited your grandparent or parent only to find that there was no food in the house? Then you discovered that they haven’t been eating or grocery shopping.
You may also discover that their housekeeping is lackluster. This is particularly troublesome if they are someone who normally keeps a very organized house.
This inability to take care of themselves means they could be a candidate for a memory care facility.
7. They are not taking medicine as directed.
Many older adults are dealing with several chronic health conditions such as diabetes and COPD. This means it’s vital that treatment is followed to the letter. If they consistently forget to get medication refills or take their pills, you need to intervene.
In a memory care facility like West Bladen, we are happy to manage their medication for them to ensure they don’t miss a dose.
8. There are physical changes.
Does your loved one move in a different manner than before? Perhaps their posture is different or they’re making slow, unsure movements. These can be indicators of confusion. Keep a lookout for these signs.
9. They are not getting the nutrition they need.
It’s not unusual for those with dementia to forget to eat. In some situations, they may do the opposite: eat, then forget that they’ve already eaten, and eat again.
In these cases, they’re not likely getting the right amount of food or nutrition that they need. At West Bladen, we provide nutritious, delicious meals for our residents.
10. They forget how to do things they once did easily.
This is much more than merely forgetting a recipe or misplacing the keys. Those with dementia may not remember how to turn on a stove or how to scramble an egg. It’s not unusual for them to forget how to drive or be unable to perform similar everyday activities.
Restore Your Relationship Through Memory Care Living
When your role in the family has transitioned to a caregiver, there’s little room for anything else. Squeezing in caring for your aging loved one while also taking care of your own needs creates stress, tension and even depression.
It’s time to restore your relationship.
Imagine the freedom from worry knowing that mom or grandma is safe. Think of visiting your father or grandfather without the burden of providing daily care.
That’s what we can do for you at West Bladen.
Memory Care at West Bladen
We have 26 beds dedicated to Memory Care, where staff with specialized training helps those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias get the most out of their life. We believe when you come to visit them, you’ll be filled with a sense of relief and peace. You’ll know they are safe and treated with dignity.
In addition to our Memory Care living, we also have 34 assisted living beds that are geared to help those who are independent but still need a helping hand. We provide assistance with bathing, getting dressed and managing medication.
See why our residents love living at West Bladen. Contact us today for more information. Hurry, our spaces fill quickly.