Some people with dementia are cared for by family members, while others are in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Memory care centers are appropriate for dementia patients who display specific habits that interfere with their daily tasks. Memory care staff members have been trained to deal with people who have dementia and need special attention.
Warning Signs for Memory Care
When caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia at home becomes burdensome, memory care may be an option. The following signs and situations may suggest the need for memory care.
Changes in Behavior
Patients with dementia may start behaving in unexpected ways. Someone who has always been self-sufficient may acquire a fear of driving, turn down social invitations, and withdraw from others. Someone who is conscious of their looks may forget daily hygiene or how to do simple duties such as washing and hairstyling, and they may be too ashamed to seek assistance. The anxiety or agitation levels of a person may increase.
Confusion and Disorientation
Driving when suffering from dementia may be hazardous due to confusion and disorientation. Dementia may cause someone to lose track of the rules of the road and drive past a red light. Some dementia sufferers get disoriented and unable to return home. It’s possible that someone suffering from dementia may lose track of where they have been and wind themselves in an unfamiliar location. It’s time to consider memory care living, if your loved ones put their physical safety in danger on a regular basis.
Deteriorating Health
Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease typically manifests itself early in physical changes. It’s possible that someone’s thinness or frailty indicates that he or she has stopped eating or taking prescribed drugs. Some dementia patients have difficulty remembering to take their prescriptions as recommended. Some people may forget to take their prescriptions, which leads to them taking more than they should.
Caregiver’s Illness or Death
Some people with dementia are looked for by family members, usually spouses or significant others. When a caregiver passes away or gets a severe disease, the spouse or significant other being cared for often needs extra attention.
Incontinence
Many individuals seek treatment from memory care facilities when incontinence becomes a major issue. They feel overloaded, as if they’re being asked to do more than they can or agreed to. This might affect nonprofessional caregivers, such as family members, as well as medical professionals who are called in to help.They will need supportive care from experienced nurses.
Conclusion
Memory care facilities are often designed for patients with dementia who are in the middle to late stages of the illness. To avoid this situation, some people who may need memory care are already residents of a nursing home or assisted living facility. Memory care units are sometimes available at these institutions, and they are staffed by professionals who have received special training in dealing with patients who need more assistance with daily activities.