At Bayshire Riverwalk, we recognize how difficult life can be for those with memory-related conditions and those caring for them. Deciding when it’s the right time to move a loved one to memory care isn’t easy. The stress of being separated and fear about the future are real concerns. After all, memory care brings a major lifestyle change, along with a different living environment and care routine. You want your loved one to receive the best possible care that meets their needs and is delivered compassionately. Taking too long to make a decision can worsen the symptoms and can have serious effects on the loved one’s well-being. Therefore, it’s vital to notice the signs that memory care is needed.
You should consider memory care when a loved one’s safety, health, or daily needs can no longer be managed safely at home. Key signs to watch for include wandering or getting lost, frequent kitchen or household accidents, and severe caregiver burnout.
It’s better to choose a care option before a crisis occurs. No matter how well you may be caring for your loved one, eventually you may need to choose professional memory care. Here are some important signs that may indicate it’s time for memory care.
Critical Safety Risks
The safety of any senior, not just those with dementia, should never be compromised. If their safety is at risk, they might face serious consequences. Here are some safety-related signs to watch for in a loved one when considering a move to memory care. If you notice any of these signs, memory care may be needed.
Wandering
Leaving home without a clear reason or wandering into unsafe places is common among people with memory-related conditions. This is known as wandering, where the individual with a memory-related condition may wander onto busy roads or into unfamiliar places. They may not know how or why they got there, which can leave them confused and frightened.
Dangerous Incidents
Even at home, your loved one may become susceptible to various safety risks. They may forget to turn off the stove, misuse appliances, or mishandle chemicals, which increases their risk of accidents. They may also face challenges while driving and may even leave doors unlocked, which further increases their safety risk.
Medication Errors
Following the prescribed medication routine is essential for people with dementia; otherwise, they may face serious health risks. Missing doses, taking incorrect amounts of medication, or getting confused about the medication schedule are all signs of medication errors. While you can try to manage these challenges yourself, it’s best to choose memory care, where staff can manage their medications.
Frequent Falls
Falls can result not only from age-related physical changes but also from cognitive decline. A decline in cognitive abilities can increase the risk of falls, unsteadiness during daily movements, and other risk factors. So, if you notice bruises or injuries that your loved one doesn’t remember or can’t explain, memory care may be needed.
Decline In Daily Self-Care
The ability to manage self-care often declines as dementia progresses. As a result, they might stop looking after themselves, neglect their nutritional needs, and may even become deeply confused about time and place. Transitioning to memory care would allow them to access dignified, tailored support with all aspects of self-care. Here’s what to look for in a loved one to determine if their ability to self-care is declining.
Personal Hygiene
As dementia progresses, the individual may become less aware of their personal hygiene. This may include forgetting how to bathe, brush their teeth, or change soiled clothing. They might stop getting haircuts or may appear unkempt. All this happens due to a multitude of reasons, including disrupted memory, cognitive sequencing, sensory processing, and physical mobility.
Nutrition Issues
Meeting nutritional needs is essential for an individual to live a healthy life and reduce the risk of complications associated with dementia. Dementia may cause your loved one to forget to eat, refuse meals, or experience significant unexplained weight loss. Over time, it can lead to chronic issues like malnutrition, which would further increase their risk of other serious ailments.
Disorientation
Dementia also makes an individual feel disoriented about their surroundings. This means, even in familiar surroundings with familiar faces around them, the individual may lose a sense of time and dates. This confusion may also lead to difficulty holding a conversation or following instructions.
Caregiver Well-Being At Risk
It’s not only the individual with dementia who experiences the effects of the progressive condition. Family caregivers also face the heavy burden of demanding caregiving responsibilities. Caring for a loved one is demanding, and caregiver burnout is a real concern.
Exhaustion
Being continuously involved in caregiving responsibilities can cause physical and mental exhaustion for the family caregiver. If they don’t seek memory care at the right time, they may need support for their own health and well-being.
Constant Vigilance
Memory care needs are not limited to certain hours. The caregiver needs to stay alert 24 hours a day to prevent emergencies and ensure the loved one’s well-being. This can increase their risk of several health problems.
Access Quality Memory Care Services At Bayshire Riverwalk
At Bayshire Riverwalk, we understand that access to quality memory care services is essential for helping individuals with dementia maintain a good quality of life. This is what we provide at our premier memory care community. By recognizing the signs above, you can decide whether it’s time for your loved one to move to our community. With person-centered care programs, we aim to elevate residents’ overall well-being, allowing them to age with dignity.
Our welcoming community spaces are designed to feel and function like home. To experience firsthand what our community could be like for your loved one, contact us and schedule a visit today.
