Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Q: When should I start thinking about memory care for my loved one?
A: As we age, there’s a chance we might experience progressive memory loss caused by the varying forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. When a loved one is having memory problems, it might be some time before you notice a significant change in their behavior. It’s important to make a note of changes as they occur so that you can decide on the best care for them in the future.
Changes can include increased and/or pronounced agitation, confusion, depression, or other behaviors or feelings that may be difficult for caregivers and loved ones to manage. If you answer yes to even a few of the following questions, it might be the right time for you to explore the benefits of memory care.
Has anyone made comments about changes in behavior? Sometimes in life, we may be too close to something to truly see it clearly. As a full-time caregiver, you may overlook small changes in your loved one’s symptoms or behaviors as they gradually increase or worsen over time. This can also be the case if you live apart from your loved one. Be sure to ask friends and family members if they’ve noticed anything out of the ordinary or concerning. It’s smart to use this as a starting point to scale your own observations.
Is your loved one withdrawn, nervous, anxious or quick to anger? Those suffering from memory loss may become socially inactive, keeping to themselves more and more as time goes on. A common side effect of social withdrawal is depression, so your loved one’s emotions are another aspect to consider. When confused, agitated or sad, elderly patients with dementia are more likely to lose their temper or experience a decline in their mental health. Memory care communities such as Bridges® by EPOCH are created exclusively for those with dementia and offer unique programs and wellness opportunities that are designed to engage residents in community life, improve mood and boost self-esteem.
Are they meeting their own daily needs? It’s important to ask if you or your loved one can appropriately take care of their own daily requirements. These include bathing, dressing, home cleaning or maintenance, preparing meals, taking medication and getting exercise. These tasks can be especially hard to manage for those who are balancing caregiving duties with other responsibilities such as a career or taking care of children. If your loved one is not living with you, pay particular attention to any weight loss or gain. Consider whether your loved one seems confused about daily tasks. Keep an eye on their physical appearance and hygiene, as this can be a strong indicator of dementia’s progression.
Does your loved one often wander? If you can recall more than one instance of your senior family member becoming lost or confused in a place they know well, it can indicate that your loved one’s memory loss has advanced. Keeping loved ones safe at home requires modifications to the home environment and constant supervision. If this is not achievable with your current situation, it may be time to consider a secure memory care community where residents can live safely with the expert support and enriching lifestyle to help them thrive. It’s also important to remember that even if your loved one has never wandered before, it can happen at any time as the disease progresses.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and wellness-centered services we offer, and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
Bridges® communities are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in the following towns: Norwalk, CT; Stamford, CT (coming soon); Trumbull, CT; Andover, MA; Hingham, MA; Lexington, MA; Mashpee, MA; Pembroke, MA; Sudbury, MA; Westford, MA; Westwood, MA; Nashua, NH.
Inspiration for Success
At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.