Self-care among people with dementia doesn’t get difficult right away. It takes around ten years until your elderly parent may start forgetting activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing. So you wonder, when is it time for memory care? This post will share signs you must consider when deciding on memory care for an older loved one.
When to Consider Memory Care: The Signs to Look For
A specialist doctor can conduct tests to determine the severity of a cognitive impairment. However, no specific rules state when a person requires full-time professional care. However, you can look out for changes in their appearance or behavior.
Read on to learn about signs to look out for.
Poor Personal Hygiene
Dementia may cause personal hygiene to slip due to difficulty bathing or dressing themselves. Some people may also forget to perform certain hygiene tasks.
Deteriorating Health
Their health is deteriorating because they forget doctor’s appointments and medication. Some seniors might also skip meals due to cognitive issues.
Having Accidents and Injuries
People with dementia are more prone to injuries. They might also have trouble staying safe when they are alone. If you feel like you can’t them alone, they might need memory care.
Wandering and Losing Track of Time
Some seniors with dementia may wander off and get lost. They might also have trouble keeping track of the time or date. It is even more of a worry if they have trouble knowing the current year.
Fewer Social Interactions
Dementia may cause some seniors to avoid social interactions. In many cases, this results from them feeling less confident in their ability to communicate.
Aggression
Some seniors might get aggressive and be a danger to themselves and others. This aggression is often a sign of confusion or delusions resulting from dementia.
Besides monitoring your senior parent, you should also look into your physical and mental health as a family caregiver. Carers of people with dementia report burnout and more health issues than carers of patients with other conditions.
The idea of sending your elderly parents to a senior community might feel like you’re failing them. However, you do not need to view it as a failure. Choosing memory care may be a step toward ensuring they receive the necessary care and attention.
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