8 Signs Your Loved One May Need Memory Care

When a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, it’s not always obvious when the time has come to start looking into memory care facilities in Ohio. With these conditions, cognitive decline is often gradual, and signs of memory loss begin subtly.

If you’re unsure whether it’s the right time to consider memory care in Copley for your aging relative, consider these 8 key indicators that specialist care might be beneficial.

1. You’ve noticed a decline in their personal hygiene.
   Losing the ability to carry out personal care tasks like brushing their teeth or showering could indicate that a senior is becoming less able to live independently. Struggling with personal care tasks may be a sign of advancing memory loss or reduced mobility, or a combination of the two.

   How memory care can help: In a memory care facility, your loved one will receive the dignified daily assistance they need with personal care tasks, within an environment that is structurally adapted to maximize independence and safety.

2. They’re losing weight rapidly.
   If your loved one has lost a lot of weight recently, this could be a sign that they’re forgetting to eat regularly, or that they’ve started to struggle with swallowing and chewing. You might also notice they’re finding grocery shopping difficult, or that they keep (or eat) food well beyond its expiration date.

   How memory care can help: Many memory care facilities have in-house or visiting speech therapists who can help seniors with the physical aspects of eating. Dedicated nutritional teams and patient, expert caregivers will also be on hand to ensure they get the most from daily, nutritious meals.

3. They’ve had a fall, accident or near-miss.
   Reduced mobility is a natural consequence of aging, but seniors with dementia may be even more prone to accidents and falls. For example, many seniors with memory care needs wander around the home, potentially putting them at a greater risk. Wandering unattended into inappropriate areas like busy roads could also result in an increased risk of accidents outside the home.

   How memory care can help: Memory care facilities feature excellent safety and security, vastly reducing the risk of falls on-site while also preventing seniors from leaving the safety of the grounds unassisted.

4. They’re experiencing sundowning.
   Sundowning syndrome is common in the more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Seniors who experience sundowning often become agitated or distressed at the end of the day. They may also have delusions or hallucinations. As well as being distressing for seniors themselves, family caregivers often find it difficult to cope with sundowning, as it can lead to further agitation for their loved one.

   How memory care can help: Memory care caregivers are experts in de-escalating volatile situations with compassion and kindness, and can enhance quality of life by helping seniors effectively deal with the more challenging symptoms of dementia.

5. They’re struggling with medication management.
   It’s not unusual for aging seniors to take multiple medications, but for those with memory loss, sticking to a medication schedule often becomes increasingly difficult. Missing doses or taking too much medication can lead to serious health complications, but as a family caregiver you might not be able to be with your loved one 24/7 to assist.

   How memory care can help: Choosing a memory care facility can give you the peace of mind that your loved one is taking their medicines both correctly and under the supervision of highly trained professional caregivers.

6. They have a poor social life.
   If your loved one finds getting out of the house and socializing challenging due to memory loss or other issues like reduced mobility or loss of close friends, moving to a specialist memory care facility could be the ideal solution.

   How memory care can help: Memory care communities often offer a rich calendar of varied events, activities and groups for residents to enjoy. With adequate supervision and expert caregivers on hand, seniors can feel safe and empowered while enjoying the social life they’ve been missing out on.

7. They’re having difficulties with money management.
   Many seniors with dementia find managing their finances increasingly difficult as memory loss progresses. If you’re finding piles of unpaid bills, fines or unopened mail around their home, or if they’ve recently fallen victim to a scam, it might be time to consider memory care.

   How memory care can help: In a specialist memory care facility, your loved one will no longer need to worry about taking care of their finances independently, and can be better protected from scammers that prey on vulnerable aging seniors.

8. Your gut feeling is telling you it’s time.
   You know your relative better than anyone else. Many family caregivers struggle to accept that they can no longer give their loved one the care they truly need, but if your instincts are telling you it’s time to consider memory care, it most likely is. Seeking support from professional healthcare advisors and caregivers is both normal and expected as dementia progresses, and it does not mean you have failed as a family caregiver.

Making the decision to move your loved one into memory care can be difficult and emotional, but it’s often the healthiest decision for both seniors themselves and family caregivers. Get in touch or schedule a tour today to find out how we can help, and to start planning the next positive step forward in your loved one’s retirement.