When memory loss progresses to the point of interfering with routine tasks, it could be time to consider memory care. To live at home, your loved one needs to be able to manage their basic care and routines. For example, they need to handle personal hygiene tasks and take their prescription medications.
If you notice your loved one isn't taking care of their basic needs, look a little closer at their behaviors. Medication management is often a challenge for individuals with cognitive decline. They might forget to take medication completely and go for long periods without it. Others might take medication too frequently or take a larger dose if they can't remember if they took it. Either way, it creates a risky medical situation.
Cognitive decline can cause your loved one to forget to pay their bills. They might fall behind on their utility payments, leading to their power or water being shut off. Missing mortgage or rent payments could cause them to lose their housing.
As your loved one's memory declines, they might make other negative financial decisions. For instance, they might not understand the risks of gambling. If their decision-making skills are inhibited, they might spend money on unnecessary items. Dementia may also increase the risk of your loved one being taken advantage of financially by others who convince them to buy items or give them money.
Starting a joint checking account with your loved one helps you monitor their financial habits and may lead you to discover your loved one needs help managing their finances. Having access to the account can help preserve their finances, but it might also give you a sign you should start the search for a memory care community.
Your loved one might start forgetting important dates and appointments, such as medical visits. Going to regularly scheduled doctor's appointments is essential for maintaining their health and well-being. If they start missing those appointments, moving them to a memory care community means they get the medical care they need.
Changes in cognitive functioning might lead to risky habits, activities or conditions. This happens because your loved one forgets certain tasks or is unable to make effective decisions. Some examples of unsafe conditions or habits you might observe include:
As dementia progresses, your loved one might become confused and wander from their home. If they still drive, they may become disoriented in areas they're generally familiar with. While you can use tracking devices to keep an eye on your loved one, memory care is often a safer option when they start to wander or get lost.
Memory care communities are typically secured so your loved one can't leave the premises. However, they still have the freedom to move around within a secure environment, so they feel a sense of independence. These communities also use various technologies and strategies to monitor where residents are at any given time.
The effects of dementia may cause your loved one's health to decline. This doesn't just happen due to medication issues. Your loved one might forget to eat meals, causing them to be weak or lose weight. Dementia often affects sleep, which could lead to exhaustion. If your loved one falls, the injury could affect their overall health. Memory care staff members monitor your loved one's health and use strategies to help with eating, sleeping and general well-being.
A dementia diagnosis doesn't always immediately lead to a memory care community. Some families decide to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible. Being a caregiver is a compassionate, noble decision, but it may also weigh on you over time. If you feel burned out, you might decide a memory care community is the best environment for your loved one.
Changes in your loved one might also mean your time as a caregiver must end. Advanced dementia sometimes causes aggressive behaviors that might include physical contact. If you no longer feel safe as the caregiver, moving your loved one to a memory care community might be the better choice.
Even though the decision to transfer caregiving duties is a challenging one, it's often beneficial for both parties. You can resume the role of a close family member, making your time together more enjoyable. Your loved one receives professional support and interventions that could slow the progression of their dementia and provide a safe, structured environment where they thrive.
