How to Know When Memory Care is Needed: 9 Signs to Pay Attention To

Aging affects each person in a unique way. Cognitive changes can indicate the need for a supportive, safe environment designed for your loved one’s wellbeing. How to know when memory care is needed? It’s important to pay attention to the warning signs.

Making the Decision: How to Know When Memory Care is Needed

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The best tunes are played on old fiddles.” Aging can be a time of well-earned relaxation as well as a celebration of one’s life and family.

However, serious cognitive changes can indicate that it might be time to make a change from living at home, versus a lifestyle providing personalized care, specialized programs tailored to individual needs, the company of others going through the same challenges, and a setting with the services, amenities, and routine that can have a huge impact on a person dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Here are nine signs to watch for:

1. Safety

It’s understandable that many older adults want to remain in their homes as they age, and it may be possible for some who are in good health and live in a safe environment. Forgetting a name or misplacing the television remote are not danger signs. But a pot burning on a stove, leaving the keys in the front door, or wandering away from the home and getting lost can be. It’s a matter of whether your loved one is losing their judgement to make safe choices.

It’s also important to consider whether the home itself is a safe environment and if not, can it be modified adequately for safety. For example, if your parent is going up and down stairs daily, that could lead to a fall. Cluttered hallways can be dangerous, as can dim lighting, or bathrooms without safety features.

How to know when memory care is needed? If your dad’s car suddenly is showing new dents and scrapes, or your mom reveals bruises from falling or a burn from cooking (common signs of dementia in women), it might be time to consider the benefits of a lifestyle with 24-hour support.

2. Wandering

People with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can lose their ability to recognize familiar faces and places, or become confused about where they are. Often, an adult child who has been struggling with the question of when is it time for memory care will begin to notice that mom or dad seems lost in their home, or goes for a walk and doesn’t return for an extended time, or sometimes refers to going to an office or workplace they haven’t visited in years. It can be startling to realize your parent is wandering; certainly, one of the signs of dementia in women and men that cannot be ignored.

3. Changes in personality

Everyone has bad days or sometimes is in a bad mood. But if you’re noticing your previously gentle older loved one is becoming aggressive, belligerent, secretive, or anxious, it could be due to cognitive changes. Other signs to watch for include a loss of interest in activities or pastimes that were previously very important. This is sometimes due to the fact that your parent is embarrassed by cognitive changes and is withdrawing from social activity.

When is it time for memory care? When you are finding it hard to recognize your loved one and are worried about their quality of life.

4. Poor hygiene

Your parent might find it difficult to keep up their appearance, whether it’s doing the laundry, brushing their hair, shaving, getting a haircut or maintaining healthy nails. It might be due to vision problems, challenges with transportation, or occasionally forgetting. It’s possible that a little extra assistance from you or a home health aide is all that needed.

However, if you discover that clothes are never washed or your parents seem to not realize they are neglecting their appearance, it could be one of the signs of dementia in women and men that indicate some cognitive decline that is making it difficult for them to care for themselves.

5. Nutrition

Maintaining healthy nutrition is vital as a person ages. While appetites might decrease, the need for proper nutrients and vitamins increases in older adults. However, the whole process of planning a meal, shopping for ingredients, cooking, and eating a well-balanced meal may be too much of a burden for your loved one to do regularly. The result can be a poor diet which can result in a greater risk of illness and injury.

If you find that your parent’s pantry is consistently empty, has outdated food, or the refrigerator is loaded with junk food and stale leftovers, you might investigate whether they just need a helping hand, or it’s time for a more supportive lifestyle like memory care, where good nutrition is always on the menu.

6. Medications

Mixing medications, taking them at the wrong time, forgetting to take a prescription—it all can be quite dangerous for your older loved one. If you notice prescription bottles that appear to be unopened, or are empty too soon, it could be a cause for concern. While it could be as simple as setting up a pill dispenser for your mom or dad, it’s a good idea to remain vigilant and check the supply of medication frequently.

7. Depression and isolation

Mom or Dad might enjoy their solitude; they might even introverts who like time to read, reflect, and rest. However, being alone most of the day can be quite harmful to an older person’s health. Be sure to talk with them about why they aren’t getting out more, spending time with friends, or joining family events. No longer being able to visit with familiar people from the past is isolating and can lead to depression, mental decline and health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety and more.

8. Lack of mental stimulation

Problems with mobility, communication, and access to safe transportation can result in an older adult living in isolation with no easy means of staying active and involved. Being alone and feeling left out is dangerous for mental, physical, and emotional health. Cognitive health can suffer.

If you are noticing that your parent seems to be withdrawing more and showing signs of confusion, lack of interest, depression, or just doesn’t seem interested in being around others, it might be time for memory care, where they will be surrounded by a friendly, caring staff, residents who are their peers, events, activities, and outings that can offer life-enriching experiences and help slow cognitive decline and lift their mood.

9. Stress on everyone

This is a sign that far too many adult children and family members either fail to notice, or dismiss as just something that goes with having an aging loved one who is dealing with dementia. But stress on caregivers is very real, and can have serious consequences for all involved. Warning signs can include anxiety, problems sleeping, isolating, depression, lack of self-care and more. If trying to care for someone is taking its toll on you, remember that the best choice your loved one—a safe, supportive environment with caring professionals—might give you the peace of mind of knowing they are well cared-for.

Get Expert Advice from The Carriages

At The Carriages, our compassionate, specially trained staff understands the unique challenges of memory loss, including the importance of providing structure and routine for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia. The goal is to provide an atmosphere that helps guide your loved one through their day, offering them multiple opportunities to engage with others and experience a sense of purpose.

Share