When Memory Care Facilities are Good for You and Your Loved One
It can be challenging to recognize when it’s time to move an aging loved one into a dedicated care facility, and many families struggle with figuring out when the right time will be. But a memory care facility can provide the absolute best day-to-day experience for your loved one. So how do you know when is the right time?
Whether your loved one is currently living independently, with a family member, or in another kind of senior living facility, making a choice to move to a memory care facility can feel like a big step. It can be tough to decide to move a loved one out of their current home.
ComfortCare Homes’ President Doug Stark says, “When faced with the decision of having to place a loved one with dementia in the hands of others, I have counseled many families who make the comment ‘I can’t believe what I am doing to mom.’ I remind them they are not doing it to mom, they are doing it for mom.”
How do you know when is the right time?
There are many signs that a loved one would benefit from a memory care facility. Some signs are social, some are cognitive, some are physical, but the more signs you see, the more likely it is that memory care could be useful in the life of your loved one.
Signs that a memory care facility or assisted living could be best for your loved one:
- You continually worry about your family member’s physical safety.
- You are struggling to physically help your family member be mobile in their home (in and out of bed, in and out of seating, in and out of the bathroom…)
- Your family member has tripped or fallen more frequently, or they have new or worsening mobility issues.
- Your family member is not eating properly, or cannot manage their own groceries, cooking, etc.
- Your family member is not keeping up their home, or caring for plants or pets anymore.
- Your family member is forgetting to pay bills, no longer reconciling their checkbook, or is otherwise no longer managing their own finances.
- Your family member can no longer manage his or her personal hygiene.
- Your family member is incontinent and you are not able to appropriately manage this need.
- Your family member has water damage or fire damage in their home from forgetting to turn off faucets, stovetop burners, etc.
- Your family member is unable to find their way home from an excursion, or seems confused when remembering directions or locations.
- Your family member is combative or upset much of the time.
- Your family member no longer recognizes individuals who spend time with them.
- You are caring for your family member, but it’s leaving you exhausted or unable to complete tasks in your own life.
- Your family member’s physician or specialist has recommended a memory care facility or assisted living.
If three or more of these statements are true for you and your family member, it may be time to consider a care facility.
Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other cognitive impairments require specialized care, and their needs can change over time even though they are unable to communicate these needs. Remember that you are an important part of the network of resources that supports your family member, but that your exhaustion and stress are signs that you may need to seek additional resources.
If it’s time to seek out a memory care facility or care plan for your loved one, ComfortCare Homes offers a dignified, caring alternative to institutional facilities.
For more information about memory care services provided by ComfortCare Homes, please call our office at (316) 685-3322.