When Should You Transition Your Loved One to Memory Care?

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it signals the beginning of a journey full of many challenges. Family caregivers must now assume a new and unfamiliar role and it isn’t easy to make the transition. Even more challenging is the fact that their loved one will eventually get to a point when they can no longer live alone, even with the support of family members and friends.

The question often on the minds of families is, “When should we consider a transition into memory care?” It’s a good question and a challenging one for families to answer without more information and insights from trusted sources.

As a memory care provider, we often speak with families who are in the early stages of reaching out for resources and more information about memory care and, more specifically, to better understand the warning signs they should look for that may indicate that the time for that transition has come.

Here are some signs that your loved one needs the professional support and safety of a memory care community:

1. Safety. This might include forgetting they’ve turned on their stove or leave water running in the sink. Misplacing a chair or other item could create a tripping hazard resulting in a fall. They may go to bed at night having left the front door unlocked or, worse yet, open. This can lead to wandering, leaving the house on foot, often without a specific destination.
2. Health and hygiene. Their overall physical health may begin to deteriorate. This is due to forgetting to take pills and developing poor eating habits, leading to weight loss and more frequent illnesses. They may become dehydrated from not drinking water. They may also begin neglecting their personal hygiene, such as bathing, brushing teeth, etc.
3. Finance. They may start forgetting to pay their bills and then question why their phone, cable, or even electricity has been turned off.
4. Social. They may begin to withdraw from things they have always enjoyed, including hobbies and social situations.
5. Behavior. You may notice changes in their behavior. This may include becoming easily agitated or suspicious about those around them.

It is also important to know that caring for a loved one with dementia can severely impact a family caregiver’s emotional wellbeing. Here are some warning signs to look for regarding your own mental health:

• Caregiver burnout. The constant demands of caring for a family member with dementia put caregivers is stressful. It puts caregivers at a greater risk of “caregiver burnout”, a very real condition involving increased anxiety, depression, and an overall reduced quality of life.
• Financial strain. Caring for a loved one with dementia can quickly become expensive. Between doctor visits, paying part time caregivers, and having to take unpaid time off, the financial burden can become unsustainable.
• Social isolation. Caring for a loved one with dementia can become isolating. Family caregivers have fewer opportunities to visit with friends and tend to put aside emotional and health needs.

When is it time to plan for transitioning a loved one to memory care? The time is now.

There are many benefits to planning in advance. First, it gives families greater control over the process of researching and touring communities. It allows more time to get financials in order. And, It gives families time to consider the benefits of each community so that an informed decision can be made as to which is the best fit for their loved one. Finally, by making the decision in advance, it reduces stress levels on all family members.

A transition into memory care is an important stage of caring for a loved one with dementia. It places them in an environment tailored to meet their needs. It provides a safe haven, especially as an individual enters the middle stages of dementia. Memory care teams seek to help residents live purposeful lives with projects and activities that engage and connect them to each other and the world around them.

We invite you to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities with your questions and concerns. We will be happy to provide information and resources to guide you and your family in the journey ahead.