It can be difficult to know for sure that your loved one needs full-time care, and the decision can cause stress and argument among families. When you are watching someone you love grow older and behaviors change, it can be easy to think they are deteriorating. However, a change in behavior doesn’t necessarily mean that your loved one is unsafe. Taking the emotion out of the decision is the best way to evaluate whether or not it is time for assisted living or memory care. Here are some signs that your loved one may need assistance or to consider senior care.
Staying involved in your loved one’s life is the best way to ensure that you will notice any signs of potential concern early on. Keep these factors in mind as you interact with your loved one.
- Memory: Memory is one of the most significant contributing factors when it comes to needing care, especially if dementia is present. As you talk to your family member, pay attention to their stories and conversations. Losing a train of thought is one thing that most people experience, but losing their idea altogether and not remembering what they were talking about is worrisome. When they begin forgetting major events and significant dates, it may be time to consider placement.
- Behavior: Your family member’s behavior indicates the need for more care or supervision. As patients progress to the middle and later stages of dementia, you may notice significant shifts in their mood and attitudes. Some patients get very agitated or angry for random reasons, and others will isolate themselves and stop talking. While there may be other reasons for this behavior, it bears investigating.
- Getting Lost in Familiar Places: Getting disoriented is another significant sign that assisted living or memory care may be necessary. Anyone can get lost in a new neighborhood or on their way to someplace they have never been. Those who may be cognitively impaired often get lost on their way home from the grocery store they visit every week or the church they’ve attended for decades. Getting lost may also be accompanied by feelings of confusion, fear, and anxiety about where they are.
- Neglecting Normal Chores: When your parent always kept a clean home but now live among dirt and filth, it may be a sign of cognitive decline. If your loved one isn’t doing their laundry, the dishes are piled up in the sink, or the house is seriously neglected, something is likely wrong.
- Rotting Items in the Refrigerator: Along with neglected chores, a quick look into the refrigerator can give clues as to the state of your loved one. Finding moldy or rotting items in the refrigerator is common in those with dementia. You might also notice a lack of groceries or multiples of the same thing – like 5 gallons of milk, for instance. While this may not be a reason for assisted living, you may wish to look into home care or companionship to ensure your loved one is eating appropriately and not wasting food or money.
- Safety at Home: Sometimes, you don’t need to move a loved one into a senior residence, but they may need some assistance to remain safe. For instance, you may wish to install grab bars in the bathroom or move their bedroom downstairs so they don’t have to climb stairs. You can unclutter the home and remove any rugs that could cause them to trip. If they still live in a private residence and you are worried about the stress of maintenance, hire someone to mow their lawn and weed the garden. You may choose to have someone deliver (or prepare) meals so that your loved one doesn’t have to operate the stove, or even just have a neighbor bring in their mail so they don’t have to walk to the mailbox. If you notice too many scenarios that could cause a safety concern, you may wish to speak with them about assisted living.
These decisions are never easy but may become necessary. When it is time to look into assisted living or memory care, call My Care Finders. We are a FREE service created to help
Call today to learn more and to speak to an experienced placement professional.
