If you have an elderly relative who has dementia, you’ll know that this is a progressive condition that worsens over time. At the beginning stages of dementia, your relative can live independently. However, as the disease progresses, you will need to look into full-time care options, like memory care facilities. Knowing when to take this next step can be difficult, so here are five signs that will indicate it’s time to move your loved one to a memory care community.
Safety Concerns
Whether your elderly relative lives on their own or with you, it’s normal to feel constantly anxious about their safety. Understandably, the stress you’re under can take its toll and interfere with your day-to-day life. To give you peace of mind knowing your loved one is in safe hands, you’ll want to look into an assisted living facility that specifically caters to those with progressive illnesses, such as Monarch Senior Living Communities. Once you know your loved one is receiving the best care possible, you can rest easy.
Neglecting Personal Hygiene
Unkept hair, unwashed clothing, or body odor are all personal hygiene concerns that indicate now may be the right time to look into memory care. Sadly, with dementia, your loved one may neglect their personal care, which can be distressing to see. From forgetting to take a shower, or brushing their teeth, these are signs you should never ignore. When your loved one moves into a memory care facility, they will get the personal care and assistance needed to stay on track.
Behavioral Changes
One of the devastating symptoms of dementia is a change in behavior. If your loved one was once the person who lit up every room they walked into, seeing them become scared, aggressive, or agitated can be hard to bear. If you’ve noticed a change in your loved one’s behavior, you are putting not only their safety in jeopardy, but yours too. Any behavioral changes should never be ignored. Instead, you should begin looking for a memory care facility for your loved one.
Subpar Living Conditions
If your loved one used to be house proud and now you find their environment isn’t kept up to scratch, this is another sign it’s time for memory care. In some cases, individuals with early dementia may begin to hoard possessions. Over time, this can quickly build up and make your loved one’s home inhabitable. Any hazards around the home can increase the risk of trips and falls, so if their household mess has become uncontrollable, now is the time to act.
Depression
When a loved one is living with dementia, they may become reluctant to go out. If they used to be a social butterfly and now prefer their own company, this can lead to depression. Should you move your loved one into memory care, they will be in an environment that promotes social interaction and hosts regular events to allow your loved one to engage with other residents.
Seeing a loved one live with dementia and go through the stages of the disease can be heartbreaking. If you’re their sole caregiver, you need to know when it’s time to step aside and seek outside help. If you resonate with any of the signs above, it may be time to move your loved one to a memory care facility.