If you’re a caretaker of a senior adult, you know that it’s often easy to chalk “senior moments” up to the normal process of getting older. After all, we all forget where we’ve put things, or get confused about dates or forget why we’ve walked into a room. And if your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, oftentimes he or she is still able to function alone for the most part, or with your limited assistance.
However, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are progressive. You may not realize your loved one could be in serious need of more care than you can provide until something catastrophic occurs.
“It’s natural to want to take care of our loved ones ourselves, even if they have a degenerative disease like dementia,” says Cindy Wirth, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury. “Many caregivers don’t realize, though, how much of an emotional and psychological impact the disease has on their loved one – not to mention the caregiver themself. They may find themselves caring for a loved one for a while before realizing that the cost of maintaining a high quality of life is too great. Since many caregivers aren’t professionally trained, more often than not, they become unable to bear the difficulties and burdens of providing healthcare at home. This turns into a cyclical issue where the caregiver suffers, causing their loved one to suffer, and on and on.”
When caregiving reaches a point where quality of life suffers, it may be necessary to move a senior with dementia into a memory care community. However, this is not always an easy decision, and if caregivers and family members aren’t prepared, this phase of life can become incredibly stressful.
As experts in memory care, Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury understands the delicate nature of this decision and provides our residents and families with compassionate, caring and insightful assistance. We’ve put together a list of five signs that can indicate it’s time to move a loved one into a memory care community.
The 5 Signs That It May Be Time for a Memory Care Community
1. A diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related condition
As we age, “senior moments” are common and should be expected. Everybody forgets things from time to time, and as we age, this becomes more frequent. However, what’s not typically normal age-related memory loss is forgetting names of family members, how to get to familiar places, important dates and the like. This chronic forgetfulness can often be the first sign of dementia.
Once a senior has been diagnosed with a memory-related illness, it’s important to begin the conversation about memory care. While many seniors would prefer to live at home if possible, the sad fact is that as the disease progresses, it becomes more difficult to provide for their safety and quality of life.
While it may not be a pleasant situation, it’s important to begin the conversation about memory care communities and start touring, visiting and exploring reputable communities in your area, such as Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury. Studies have shown, and experts agree, that moving into a community before it’s absolutely necessary makes for a smoother and happier transition.
“By moving to a community before care is required, it gives seniors a chance to have a say as well as adjust to their surroundings,” says Wirth. “It also gives individuals time to make friends with residents and staff, which will be incredibly important as they progress through their memory loss journey.”
2. You’re experiencing caregiver stress
More often than not, individuals with dementia are being cared for by someone who is not professionally qualified. Since caregiving is a 24/7 task, it can quickly become overwhelming and impossible to sustain. If you’re a caregiver who is quickly approaching or already reached a point where it’s nearly impossible to provide an adequate quality of life for your loved one, it’s time to seriously consider a memory care community.
3. You or your loved one’s health is declining
As memory loss progresses, the ability to perform even the simplest of daily tasks becomes difficult or nonexistent. This can cause a decline in physical, mental and emotional health, as dementia has a disastrous result in all aspects of our body. If you or a loved one are experiencing severe physical changes, difficulty managing daily tasks or putting oneself in dangerous situations, moving to a memory care community can provide peace of mind.
4. Little to no social life
Dementia can cause fearfulness and isolation, which means that social life for someone with dementia dwindles considerably. By moving to a memory care community, individuals with dementia not only receive the support they need to live safely, but they also have the opportunity to experience lives filled with meaningful engagement. For example, at Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury, our memory care residents enjoy a full calendar of social events and activities, all designed to help stimulate the mind and body – and create a fulfilled life.
5. Your instincts are telling you it’s time
If your gut is telling you it’s time to move a loved one into memory care, chances are that it’s a good idea. Listen to your instincts and honor your feelings by looking into memory care communities near you.
While it’s not always pleasant to think about the memory loss journey, it’s much better to have the conversation before it’s essential. This leads to a higher quality of life and better mental health for everyone involved in the process. Be aware of your or a loved one’s well-being, health and mental state, and remember: it’s never too late to start researching.
If you would like more information about the signs of memory loss and when it’s time to consider a memory care community, contact us at 978.261.7007.
Engaging Lifestyle.
Now open! Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury provides exceptional memory care in a comfortable, upbeat and engaging environment. Designed specifically to support people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Bridges® by EPOCH creates a wellness-focused lifestyle that respects individual preferences. Our teams receive ongoing, specialized training so they may help residents to safely exercise their independence and individuality in a secure, calm environment.
Dedicated Memory Care
We provide complete peace of mind for families and residents experiencing early-, mid- or late-stage memory loss. Our expert dementia care, Personalized Services and personalized programs are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident wherever they are on their journey, allowing them to age in place safely, comfortably and with respect.
Welcoming, Purpose-Built Design
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury is more than a safe, beautiful place to live; it’s truly a home, where compassionate, dementia-educated caregivers help people with memory loss live more joyful lives and where families enjoy spending time together again. Our research-based design features soft lighting and colors, non-glare flooring, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to comfortably move about their homes with confidence.