Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be a challenge. An even harder challenge is deciding when it is best for everyone to make that move to a memory care facility. At Sharmar Village Senior Care Community, we understand the challenge caretakers are faced with and want to provide the best guidance possible. Here’s when you will know that it may be time to move your parent or spouse to a memory care facility.
Caregiver Stress
The first sign that it may be time to consider a move is when you begin to feel stress as a caregiver. It’s common for caregivers to feel overwhelmed in keeping up with their jobs and daily commitments while providing care for their parents or spouse. It’s not uncommon to feel frustration, resentment, anger, or other emotions that are getting in the way of your relationship with your loved one.
Home Safety Concerns
Another sign that it may be time to move your parent to a memory care facility is when they are no longer safe at home. This includes the possibility of them wandering and not finding their way home and balance issues which may make them a greater risk for falls.
Decline in Health
As memory loss sets in, so does the decline in your loved one’s ability to care for themselves. Often, people with dementia forget to eat, take medications, and care for themselves properly. This can lead to weight loss, neglected personal hygiene, and a hunched over appearance. A decline in health is certainly a sign that it may be time to consider a move to a memory care community.
A Dementia or Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Once an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis has been made, it is important to begin talking with your spouse or parent and looking for a memory care unit that will best meet their needs. While an immediate move may not be necessary, it is helpful to get their input while they may still be part of the decision making process. Studies have shown that it is best to have your loved one move into a memory care community before more dangerous signs and symptoms surface. Additionally, moving to memory care in the earlier stages of the disease may make the transition much easier for all those involved.
At Sharmar, we encourage families to be proactive and learn more about memory care before your loved one needs it. We hold tours to prospective residents and their families and we take the time to generate customized plans to treat the person, not the diagnosis. Schedule a tour online today!
