Dementia is a word that’s used to describe several symptoms that affect a person’s abilities in thinking, memory, and social interaction with others. It isn’t a specific disease in and of itself, but is a condition that develops from several diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. For those who have Alzheimer’s disease, their dementia continues to worsen over time, making it impossible for them to live safely at home alone. Some families may have their loved one move in with them to help care for the person with dementia, but other families do not have that option, making an assisted living community the best solution for their loved one.
Seven Signs Your Loved One May Need to Move Into An Assisted Living Facility Soon
The diseases that cause dementia all have different progression rates from person to person. There is no absolute time when your loved one will no longer be able to live on their own. Instead, caring family members and friends often have to notice certain behaviors or signs that indicate it’s time to find a different living solution.
Your loved one is no longer taking care of herself physically. They might be neglecting to bathe, forgetting to take important medications, or eating too little. You might notice in their appearance, their smell, or their health changes if they’re not taking their medications properly.
Your loved one has stopped caring for her home. Dementia may cause your loved one to start hoarding, or it could cause them to consistently forget when garbage pick-up day is and have garbage around their home. They might also struggle with how to operate a vacuum or wash the dishes.
Your loved one gets easily confused. Your loved one may try to make you a cake and forget to put in the sugar, or make pasta, but not boil the noodles. An easy recipe is too difficult to follow, as well as trying to find the show they want on TV, or reading a book.
Your loved one gets lost easily. That 10-minute drive from the grocery store just took an hour because your loved one went the wrong way multiple times. Or your loved one can no longer remember how to walk to their neighborhood library even though they’ve walked there for decades.
Your loved one is lonely. Dementia makes friendships and conversations difficult, and your loved one may be withdrawing from social situations they used to enjoy.
Your loved one’s finances are in a mess. Those with dementia often forget to pay bills or make extravagant purchases that they cannot afford.
Your loved one is injuring herself or falling more often, indicating that they’re having a hard time safely navigating their home.
Assisted Living Can Support Your Loved One with Dementia Safely
While you might be able to step in and assist your loved one in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, as the disease progresses, they’ll need more and more help to assist them in managing their day. Even families who can have their loved ones move in with them often find the end stages of the disease overwhelming.
With an assisted living facility, they have the tools to meet your loved one’s needs during each stage of the disease so that they’re always well cared for as the disease progresses and they need more care.
If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Care Services in Powder Springs, GA, please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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