When Should an Individual Move to a Memory Care Facility?

Watching your parents age is hard. They can no longer do the things they love, things you associate them with. Dementia is painful to those who must watch loved ones decline cognitively, and there is the struggle to know when outside help is needed. 

Millions of families each year find themselves needing to look for a memory care facility for a loved one. Some families put off making this move as long as possible. Others, however, aren’t sure when to look for a specialized facility. They want to make certain their loved one is safe and receives the stimulation they need, but they feel as if they can accomplish these goals at home. The following are signs that it is time to move the loved one to a specialized memory care residential center. 

Behavioral Changes

Behavioral changes often lead to a person needing to move to a care home. The loved one may become paranoid, act aggressively, or become easily agitated. Up to 50 percent of individuals with Alzheimer’s struggle with agitation. Often, they withdraw from others socially and exhibit a lack of initiative. If they cannot make decisions or concentrate, they need specialized care. These symptoms often vary by the time of day or the person’s environment. 

Safety Concerns

No individual can monitor another person 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients with dementia tend to wander or engage in other unsafe activities. They may choose to cook in the middle of the night and forget to turn the burner off or take a bath and leave the water running when they are done. People with dementia may often take more of the medication than prescribed as they forget they have already taken it. When this condition is leading to physical safety concerns, it’s time to move the loved one to a memory care home. At the care home, they are monitored around the clock. 

Decline in Physical Health

The first sign a person is struggling with dementia might be changes in their physical appearance. They may no longer groom themselves as they once did or appear frail. Often, these changes result from the individual forgetting to complete basic tasks. It might be they lack the strength to complete them. Memory care facilities help individuals struggling with dementia complete these tasks regularly. However, other care options often need to be considered if the patient has other chronic health issues contributing to these changes. 

Family Struggles

Caring for a loved one with dementia can lead to family struggles. The caregiver’s health may decline or the children may be neglected as this individual need’s attention around the clock. Often, caring for a loved one with dementia leads to financial issues for families, and finding the right balance between caring for the individual and having personal time is a struggle. Moving the individual to memory care can restore the relationship between the individual and their loved ones, as the family will no longer need to act as caregivers. They can be loving family members committed to providing the individual with the highest quality of life rather than focusing solely on their needs. 

It’s never easy to move a loved one to a long-term care facility. At times, however, it is the best thing for the individual and their loved ones. They will receive care around the clock in a safe and secure setting. In addition, they will receive the stimulation they need for a high quality of life. Learn more today about memory care options to ensure the right choice is made when this move occurs.