There’s often a misconception on what exactly assisted living is. Residential care options for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia are different from this type of community. When it comes down to the needs of your loved one, it can be a tough decision.
Your mother was always known as the one who always kept you grounded, even far into adulthood. She never failed to inquire about your goals and how you were doing. Lately, she isn’t as inquisitive as she once was.
When Living at Home Is Not Enough
You begin to notice her home is not as tidy as usual. The dishes have been left in the sink for days, and the trash can is filled to the brim. Her hair isn’t tidy, the clothes she is wearing are the same she wore the last time you visited. Your mother would normally never let cleanliness get to this point. It is when you see the stack of unpaid bills pile on the kitchen table you raise the last red flag.
As we age, it gets harder for one to take care of themselves. For some, the body loses its strength, but the mind of the once CFO may still remain. In some seniors, it is the mind and memory that begins to fade.
But when does it become a real problem? Well, anyone who knows their loved one best can tell when something from their usual behavior is off, but here are a few scenarios that are proven indicators of a possibly larger problem:
- The tidiness of home and oneself. The house is filthy, and you can see your loved one has not bathed themselves recently.
- Malnutrition. Your loved one has noticeably lost some weight. They may not be feeding themselves properly due to their inability to prepare meals. Going back to the tidiness scenario, their fridge may only contain spoiled food.
- Financial trouble. Bills are past their due dates, and they’ve reached a high amount of spend on their credit card.
- Drastic changes in behavior. Sudden agitation, anxiety, or less interest in hobbies they once enjoyed can all be attributed to a lack of confidence associated with memory loss. Distress can result from forgetting where they are, the name of an old friend, or even how to recreate one of their favorite recipes.
- Getting lost. Not remembering how to get to the grocery store, post office, or other familiar places can also be an indicator of a deeper condition.
While these are known signs of possible Alzheimer’s and dementia, you must see a physician in order to get a clear diagnosis.
Choosing a Residential Care Community
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia can be life-altering for everyone involved, and not just the one directly affected. Depending on the situation and individual needs of your loved one, you will need a plan.
A plan that not only keeps your loved one as safe as possible, but will also make them feel as comfortable as they do at home.
Alzheimer’s and dementia care communities specialize in providing residential homes for seniors in all stages of memory loss. A secure environment with 24/7 monitoring and assistance.
Care Community Checklist
In the search for a community, there is a lot to consider before you can know which one is the best fit for your loved one. It can be helpful to make a checklist before you schedule your call or visit, to make sure no concerns are left undiscussed. We’ve made a list of common questions that many have during their search:
- What is the level of family involvement?
- What is the resident to staff ratio?
- What therapies and rehabilitation services are available on-site?
- Are there planned activities or social settings?
- What does the dining menu offer, and will it cater to my loved one’s dietary needs or restrictions?
These are just a few broad examples of what may be crossing one’s mind. Every individual has a different story, and the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia can be a tough journey. This isn’t one that you and your loved one have to go through alone.
At Kensington Place, we offer exceptional residential memory care for all levels of Alzheimer’s and dementia with two neighborhoods. Knowledgeable staff are there to provide and keep residents safe and healthy, while also striving for bringing joy into each day.
State-of-the-art therapies for speech, occupational, and physical needs are offered. Our revolving dining menu is aimed to not only meet the needs or proper nutrition, but tastiness as well.
Give us a call today if you have any questions on memory care and our communities. We’d love to hear from you!
Further Reading:
Memory loss is life changing for all involved. At Kensington Place, we provide a state-of-the-art memory care program, a higher staff-to-resident ratio than industry standards, and more advanced care services. Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
For additional resources regarding your loved one’s condition, please read on about our Memory Care, Alzheimer’s Care and Dementia Care.