Many family members of seniors in the early stages of dementia or mild cognitive impairment wonder when they’ll need to find a memory care facility. While providing home care is a noble task, the day may come when help is needed.
If you are a family caregiver or a relative of someone who is, you may wonder when should someone with dementia go into memory care? What are the signs it’s time home care is no longer an option?
You are not alone. Over 400,000 seniors in Texas live with the most common form of dementia known as Alzheimer’s. Nearly 1.1 million family members struggle to provide a combined 1.8 billion hours of unpaid care annually.
Every family’s journey with dementia is different. It can become difficult to judge when it’s time to consider memory care as symptoms can vary day to day. Your loved one’s health can be compromised if you wait until the bad days consistently outweigh the good ones.
Most forms of memory loss are progressive. The need for 24-hour care becomes unavoidable.
Finding memory care in Austin, Texas can feel like an overwhelming search. Let’s discuss local options for dementia care and learn how to talk about it with your loved one.
How to Talk to A Loved One About Dementia Care
Keep these three phrases in mind when considering a long-term option for dementia care:
- Empathy
- Education
- Indicators
Options to have an open and honest conversation about care are possible if your loved one is in the early stages of dementia. Ask them their preferred method of care. A carefully planned outline of what to expect can save a lot of future hassles.
Practice empathy during these conversations. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine how you want to receive care. One of the best ways to prepare for this journey is by joining a support group.
Educate yourself as much as possible before beginning any conversation about memory care. Ask people in your support group, and visit websites and long-term care facilities. The more information you have can strengthen the appeal of finding new care methods.
Keep a detailed journal of your mom or dad’s journey with memory loss. Take notes of when specific indicators begin and progress over time. See if a certain time of day or action triggers behaviors like wandering or mood changes. Note the increasing frequency of these behaviors.
Bring your empathy and education to your conversation about the need for memory care. Your detailed list of indicators can be beneficial in alerting other family members that it is time for more than home care.
Involve other family members in the discussion if possible. If you are the primary caretaker, your loved one may be more receptive to another individual.
What are the indicators that a loved one needs memory care?
Wandering
One of the biggest causes for concern is when people with Alzheimer’s or dementia begin to wander. There are many ways to secure the home’s exits and equip your loved one with GPS devices, but it can still happen.
Avoidable Accidents
If your loved one experiences consistent falls or leaves appliances on due to struggles with memory loss, a dedicated memory care community can help. It’s often challenging to eliminate unsafe conditions or modify the home to be completely dementia-friendly.
Activities of Daily Living
Most older adults in assisted living need help with one or two activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, feeding, or mobility. These activities increase with the progression of cognitive impairment.
Once the person you care for needs help with more and more ADLs, it can be time to consider memory care. If the support your loved one needs goes beyond your comfort level, it’s best to seek outside help. Don’t sacrifice your health or body to provide home care.
Caregiver burnout is common and can lead to neglect of both parties. Physical and mental exhaustion is inevitable when the carer is not taking proper care of themself. Memory care is a resource if your loved one’s quality of life needs improvement.
Isolation and Loneliness
If you are the sole caregiver, relative, and social circle for the person you care for, dementia care can help. Despite living with memory loss, people enjoy feeling valued and a part of a group. Introducing new relationships can increase mood and activity levels.
As many as 40 percent of people with Alzheimer’s experience depression. This mental health problem can lead to feelings of apathy, withdrawal, isolation, and behavior changes.
Caregivers can also experience depression and anxiety due to feelings of stress, guilt, and exhaustion. They may also miss out on socialization due to their caretaking duties.
Get your relationships back on track by letting a memory care community do the heavy lifting.
How does memory care help?
Memory care provides a secure and calming environment for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Beyond ADLs and senior care services, dedicated dementia care programs offer a sense of purpose and relief. The benefits of memory care include:
- Activities of daily living assistance
- Round-the-clock supervision
- Medication management
- Personal care services
- Nurse oversight
- Brain healthy diets
- Housekeeping, maintenance, and transportation
- Wandering prevention
- Social events
- Purposeful activities
Finding Alzheimer’s Care in the Austin Area
The Retreat is a signature memory care program available to Austin-area families at The Philomena in Kyle, TX. Our location is a Memorycare.com Best Memory Care Community.
Our full-time nurse and round-the-clock dementia care experts continuously monitor health and changes in behavior. Services can be adjusted and added to their personal care plan to fit dynamic needs.
We design activities around the interests and hobbies of your loved one and encourage other residents to join in on the fun. Residents can learn from and support each other. They create their version of community at a tempo that is comfortable for them.
Residents enjoy spending their time baking, dancing, and bottling homemade wine to give as gifts. Keeping seniors physically and mentally active increases mood and can form new neural pathways in the brain.
Memory care in The Retreat at The Philomena can give the gift of quality time back to your family.
Visit Award-Winning Memory Care at The Retreat
The Retreat at The Philomena can be a resource in your journey to find Austin-area Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Contact us to learn more.