When Should Someone with Dementia Consider a Care Home?

Every year, 10 million people across the globe develop dementia. This means that there's a new case every 3.2 seconds. While it's easy for your loved one to feel alone when they develop memory issues, they're far from it... especially when they move into an assisted living community.

But when should someone with dementia go into a care home? Read on to learn when memory care is a good idea and what benefits a community can offer your elderly loved one.

When Should Someone With Dementia Go Into a Care Home?

Memory care homes are a type of assisted living community. They provide a well-appointed place for seniors to live while struggling with Alzheimer's and dementia symptoms. Quality communities will help seniors with daily tasks, including caring for themselves and making plans for enrichment activities.

This means that your loved one doesn't have to let memory-related problems slow them down. They can retain a high quality of life despite their difficulties with both short-term and long-term memory.

Still, making the decision to put a loved one into memory care can be challenging. That's why it's critical to look out for signs of advancing dementia and make a decision about when to consider a care home based on visible symptoms.

Struggling With Daily Activities

Day-to-day tasks can be challenging for those with dementia. They may not remember regular routines and struggle to get out of bed and complete tasks appropriately. They also may forget what tasks they have and haven't completed, making it challenging to create and execute personal care routines.

Bathing and dressing need to happen daily, and they only need to happen once. A memory care community can provide reminders and resources to ensure that tasks are accomplished.

It also may be difficult for some seniors to remember how to perform these tasks. They're multi-step processes, as are personal care needs like using the bathroom and cooking simple meals. This means that essential personal care activities may not get done (or may get done incorrectly.)

This is a surefire sign that your loved one needs to move into a care community ASAP. You don't want them to struggle with hygiene, especially when it can become so uncomfortable that it interferes with daily life.

At-Home Safety Risks

Some lesser-known symptoms of dementia include frequent falls and bouts of aggression. Most homes don't come equipped with handrails, wide doorways, spacious hallways, shower bars, and other grab bars throughout the space.

Care homes are specifically designed for those with memory and mobility issues. Falling will be less of a concern, and compassionate experts will be there to help your loved one through mood swings if necessary.

Wandering is another major symptom of advancing dementia. This makes sense since the person with memory problems won't know where they need to go or what they need to do. Aimless pacing is a natural result of not knowing where they're going.

This can be dangerous at home. It can be even worse when your loved one goes out in public. Wandering into a street can be deadly.

Assisted living memory care communities ensure this doesn't happen. Care professionals help your loved one remember where they're going, and if they do wander away within the community grounds, someone will find them quickly. Since the community is already equipped with safety features, there will be little risk of actual danger.

Caregiver Challenges

Many people believe that they can care for their aging loved ones effectively. This is especially sensible when older adults are reluctant to move into an assisted living community.

Unfortunately, caring for aging loved ones places a lot of stress on children and grandchildren. It's an all-consuming task, and those who need to work can't often contend with it. It also comes with physical strain as well as an emotional toll since caregivers often need to move their loved ones when they suffer from loss of mobility.

Professionals in care communities have the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to care for your loved one properly. They also have the experience necessary to offer compassionate assistance without becoming stressed out and frustrated.

Care Home Benefits for Those With Dementia

Care homes are beneficial because they provide day-to-day assistance, but they can also save the lives of dementia patients who require medication.

When someone with memory care issues requires life-saving medication like insulin or cancer pills, they cannot forget to take it. Unfortunately, this is an inevitable byproduct of poor short-term memory. Professional medication management, a core service of memory care communities, is essential.

However, the benefits of a care home don't stop with life-saving assistance!

Communities also provide people with dementia a chance to socialize with peers. They can spend time with others in the community on their own in common areas and dining spaces. They can also attend fun events like game nights, in-house movie days, and more.

This ensures that your loved one doesn't just age safely - they age happily, too. Retaining a high quality of life is a priority beyond simple survival, and communities make this a reality.

Care Home Decision Tips: What to Think About

Choosing a community with robust knowledge of dementia care guidelines is critical.

It's important that your parent or grandparent goes somewhere calm, clean, quiet, and well-lit. A good overall vibe, chef-prepared meals, and housekeeping services are also critical.

You also may want to look at the credentials of the staff within the community. Talk with experts and make sure that they're informed and knowledgeable.

Finally, make sure that the senior in your life thinks that the community is right for them. Talk about care compassionately and stress the services and fun activities offered there.

Get Help for Your Aging Loved One

So, when should someone with dementia go into a care home? The answer to this question is multifaceted, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Investing in memory care once your loved one shows signs of advancing dementia is a critical step toward helping them age gracefully and happily.

Addington Place of Shiloh is committed to offering seniors the community and resources they need to thrive. Reach out to our team to discuss the senior living options available and learn more about how we can help those with dementia.