If your loved one is suffering from dementia, thinking about their future can cause anxiety and questioning. Dementia and its most common type, Alzheimer’s disease, affects nearly 44 million people worldwide. Symptoms like memory impairment and disorientation can make dealing with dementia long term difficult, especially for family caregivers. If you’re starting to explore care options, memory care in an assisted living community is worth considering for your family.
What are the signs of dementia? When is the right time for memory care? Learn the signs and find out how to care for your loved one here. Share on X
If your loved one has been diagnosed with a form of dementia, you might be searching for assistance. Caring for your family members can be hard to navigate, but there are many assisted living options available. In particular, a memory care facility might be the best solution to stabilize your family relationships.
What is Memory Care?
Unlike traditional assisted living facilities or nursing homes, a memory care unit provides daily care to residents in a secure environment. Since dementia patients can become disorientated without warning, it’s important to provide safe living quarters for residents. Many memory care homes have live-in nurses, property guards, and extra security measures in place to protect your loved ones.
Pro Tip: Private rooms fill up quickly at our memory care home, the Cooper Cottage. Schedule a free tour so that you can reserve a spot for your relative.
10 Signs It’s Time for Memory Care
Are you wondering whether it’s time to consider memory care? If your loved one suffers from chronic memory loss, it’s important to be aware of their mental health. Depending on your family’s dynamics, it might be necessary to start thinking about memory care for your loved ones. Consider these signs when deciding if assisted living is necessary.
- Changes in behavior or personality – Caregivers may find it difficult to deal with constant shifts in personality and irregular mood swings.
- Loved one’s safety is in danger – Family members might fear patients will become disorientated and put themselves in danger.
- Incontinence – As dementia patients regress, incontinence may result which may be too much for you to handle on your own.
- Threats of violence – When their memory starts to worsen, patients may get agitated, causing physical harm to caregivers or those around them.
- Neglecting personal care – Older people with dementia need help with daily living tasks such as brushing teeth, washing clothes, and bathing.
- Unclean living conditions – Those suffering from memory loss might be unable to clean their homes, causing their living conditions to deteriorate.
- Loneliness – Without personalized care and appropriate activities, dementia patients can feel isolated and alone with their symptoms.
- Absence of caregiver – Loved ones may found themselves alone if a caregiver gets sick, has to move, or is unavailable.
- Caregiver stress – Dealing with dementia is hard, stressful, and physically exhausting for those caring for loved ones every day.
- Improper medication management – Forgetting medication or taking wrong dosages could risk the health and safety of your loved one.
Introducing the Cooper Cottage
If memory care is becoming necessary for your loved one, consider the Cooper Cottage. As a certified memory care community in The Woodlands/Spring area, it has been designed with dementia patients in mind. In addition to qualified caregivers and engaging activities, your loved one will find solace every day within the homelike setting.
What factors are important for you and your loved ones when considering memory care? Share with us on social media.