If you have someone in your life that is living with dementia, then you want to make sure they are safe and that they are able to continue having the best quality of life possible. When your loved one gets to the point where safety is an issue, or their quality of life has become an issue, then you want to find a place for your loved one and this would be a memory care facility. Here are some of the signs that can let you know the time may have come for you to find a memory care facility.
They start to forget to care for their personal hygiene
You may notice your loved one is letting their personal hygiene go. They may stop showering, doing their hair, brushing their teeth, and changing their clothes. They can forget how to do these tasks that have to do with self-care, even someone who used to be meticulous about the way they look can forget. It's extremely common for them to not want to reach out for assistance because they feel embarrassed. It's impossible to know if this is going on if you don't see them in person. This is why its so important that people are checking in on someone who is in the early stages of dementia in person and on a regular basis. Phone calls can't always let you know that their dementia has progressed, and these things are now happening.
They start to forget important things that can be a safety issue
As dementia progresses, they can start to forget things that can put them at risk. One example of something they can forget to do is to smoke a cigarette they lit. This can be dangerous because as the cigarette burns, it can fall out of the ashtray and start a fire. Something else that they can forget to do is turn off the stove, which also creates a huge risk of fire.
They can also forget important information that causes them to get lost. If your loved one happens to be out running errands when they become forgetful, then this can also be dangerous. They can forget where they live and end up getting lost. They can even forget phone numbers, so they won't be able to call anyone to help find them and come and get them. They can even forget how stoplights work, which puts them in a very dangerous situation where they can be hit by a car trying to cross the street.
What a memory care facility offers
A memory care facility will give your loved one the care and attention they need to help them remain healthy, while allowing them to live in a comfortable and safe environment. There are staff who are experienced in working with those living with dementia. There are activities offered to both entertain residents and help them to remain independent for as long as possible.
Older adults sometimes see nursing care as an all-or-nothing scenario. They assume they are either at home living independently, or they are in a nursing home where everything is done for them. This is not really the case, however. There are plenty of in-between options for older adults who need some care, but who may not need full nursing assistance yet. Assisted living centers allow this flexibility. Your older loved one can simply have their meals provided for them, or they can have around-the-clock care — or somewhere in-between. We invite you to explore the content provided to learn more.