Dementia is one of the diseases that might be difficult to manage once the symptoms have progressed. Assisted living seems like a good option for dementia victims, but they are no longer fit for such homes when the symptoms progress. If the patients exhibit extreme symptoms, they are better off in a memory care facility.
Here are some factors that you should look for to determine when to take your loved one to a memory care home.
Challenges during transportation
Your loved one might find it difficult to drive around or go to familiar places. As dementia progresses, the chances of memory lapse increase, making it challenging for a person to remember familiar places. The person might also claim to feel overwhelmed by the presence of many people. This means they will have challenges moving around on their own. They may also experience a cognitive decline, a condition that reduces mobility. In the extreme cases of dementia, your loved one might lose their sight and experience confusion, hence making it difficult for them to respond to stimulus. The condition gets worse when the person starts wandering around since they can get lost. An occurrence of any of these signs is a red alert that you should take them to memory care.
Can no longer manage money
Dementia places its victims at the risk of financial fraud. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the spending patterns of your loved ones to note any changes that might be alarming. Among such changes is a case where the person begins to overspend. Also, when they start forgetting to pay their bills, it is an alert that they need specialized care. As the symptoms of dementia progress, they leave the individual vulnerable to memory lapse, a condition that can highly affect individual spending behavior. Be on the lookout for any erratic behavior regarding the person’s financial activities. Whenever you notice major changes, it is time to take your loved one to a memory care facility.
Increase in the rate of forgetfulness
Forgetfulness is one of the main characteristics of dementia. Forgetting minor things might not be a problem for an individual. However, as the disease progresses, people tend to forget important things that can greatly impact their lives. When such forgetfulness kicks in, it is time for the individual to be taken to a memory home. Among the signs to look out for is the person forgetting the directions to their home or forgetting their name. The symptoms become alarming when the individual forgets their location, yet they have been wandering. In such a case, the person might go missing, which is more traumatizing to their loved ones.
Rare problems
A dementia patient is expected o express the behavior of forgetfulness. However, if you live with them, you ought to be keen to notice any rare problems that they might exhibit. For instance, the person might lock themselves in the house and not see a big deal about it. If the room cannot be unlocked from outside, the patient might be in danger. It becomes worse if they are already showing severe memory loss. Another rare behavior to look out for is the frequency at which they take their medication. If they are unable to follow the doctor’s prescription, they risk overdosing or underdosing.
If you notice that your loved one is experiencing any of these signs, it is necessary to take them to a memory care home where they will be adequately cared for. Some people prefer independent living arrangements for their loved ones. However, this is not a good option if the person is showing signs of severe dementia.