One of the hardest decisions family caregivers have to make is knowing when to place their loved one with dementia in a memory care community. There is no one answer to when this is the right option. It all depends on the individual’s disease progression, their abilities and their needs at the time. While you may know in your heart it’s the right choice to make, making the call can be incredibly hard.
“Many caregivers feel like they’re betraying their loved one by placing them in a memory care assisted living community,” says Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH. “They may have promised Mom or Dad to never put them in a ‘home,’ or they simply feel guilty that they can no longer care for their loved one. However, there’s no shame in moving a loved one into a memory care community. In fact, it is often the best thing you can do for them and yourself.”
Michelle says that due to the progressive nature of dementia, your loved one will require 24-hour, around-the-clock care, no matter what. “That’s something an individual simply can’t provide,” she says. “At a memory care assisted living community, your loved one will have caring attention and assistance no matter when it’s required.”
24-hour care is required for individuals with dementia to live safely, which is why choosing a specialized memory care assisted living community like Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is an excellent solution. “Our residents receive customized and personalized care from a team of caring, compassionate individuals,” says Michelle. “This provides the best quality of life possible for our residents while also giving peace of mind and security for their family members.”
When Is the Right Time?
Michelle says that it’s never “too soon” to move someone to a memory care community. “The sooner an individual moves to a memory care assisted living community, the easier it will be for them to think of it as home,” Michelle explains. “Moving early, or in the mid-stages of the disease, means that your loved one will receive the best possible care as soon as possible, which can help slow or stall the progression of dementia in some cases.”
However, she cautions, waiting to place a loved one into a facility until there’s an issue or accident can cause a lot of trauma and drawbacks. “Moving your loved one in a situation such as this is not ideal because you can’t control a lot of the factors,” Michelle says. “This has nothing to do with your ability as a caregiver and everything to do with the difficult and progressive nature of dementia.”
Have you been wondering if it’s time to place your loved one with dementia in 24-hour, around-the-clock care? Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if a move might be beneficial for your loved one – and yourself.
Is it becoming more difficult to manage medications?
It’s up to you as the family caregiver to make sure your loved one is receiving all their various medications on an appropriate basis, as well as getting regular checkups. Putting this on top of everything else you have to do can become overwhelming very quickly. In memory care, staff members are able to carefully and efficiently administer medication as necessary. Plus, staff is trained to look for issues or concerns that may arise, which can help them fend off any issues before they develop into severe problems.
Is your loved one’s mobility becoming worse?
Dementia affects the whole body, not just a person’s memory. This means that as the disease progresses, your loved one will lose their physical abilities, such as balance, mobility and the ability to do things like use the toilet, get dressed or do other basic tasks. For a family caregiver, this can become problematic, especially if your loved one is large or needs extensive help. Memory care can be a large boon at this stage because there is always an adequate amount of staff available who are trained to assist residents in a safe, efficient manner.
Are there unwanted behaviors surfacing?
Wandering, aggression, sundowning and other unwanted behaviors can surface as dementia progresses. Wandering especially is a concerning symptom – your loved one could potentially get out of the house without you noticing, which could result in a life-threatening situation. Unwanted behaviors are a huge reason why many caregivers choose to move their loved one to a memory care community. These structures have been designed with the needs of individuals with dementia in mind, so they have safety features like secured entrances and exits, visual cues and others. In a community, caregivers won’t have to worry about the safety of their loved one because they are in an environment that is designed to help and protect.
Are you becoming more stressed or burned out?
Caregivers may push their own needs to the side because they don’t want to be “selfish.” But how can you care for your loved one if you’re not caring for yourself? When your loved one needs 24-hour care, you simply can’t provide it without ruining your own health, no matter how hard you try. Remember that you deserve just as much care as your loved one. By moving your loved one to a place where they receive the around-the-clock care they need, you’re giving them the best opportunity to thrive while also recentering yourself to focus on your important relationships.
It can be a hard decision to move your loved one to 24-hour care, but once you make that decision, you may experience relief and a resurgence in your own health and wellness – and the same for your loved one. When your loved one with dementia needs around-the-clock care, moving them into a memory care assisted living community is the most selfless act you can make to provide them with the best possible lifestyle.
A Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides expert memory care within an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, independence and fulfillment in daily life.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our programs, care and services are all designed to celebrate our residents’ lives and support each resident’s individual strengths and abilities. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, our memory care professionals work to maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a positive impact on the lives of our residents every day.
Stunning, Purpose-Built Design
Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It’s a community focused on enriching the lives of our residents and helping their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features, including soft paint colors, directional cues, and aromatherapy, provide a soothing and easy-to-navigate environment.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.
Contact us today to learn more.