Memory care communities are specialized senior living communities designed to meet the challenges that can come with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. These specialized units or buildings are staffed with team members trained on best practices of dementia care and feature environmental designs that maximize comfort and safety. People in the early stage of cognitive decline do not necessarily need memory care support, but when is it appropriate to begin looking at memory care options and planning a move? Here are a few situations that could indicate that moving to a memory care environment could ensure the safety, independence, and comfort of a loved one.

Your loved one wanders

Wandering, or walking without an intended destination, is a hallmark behavior of the middle stage of dementia. Wandering can be dangerous, as people who wander may end up walking outside of the home and getting lost. Wandering can happen at any time of day, including the nighttime, and can be even more dangerous in the winter months. 

If you notice your loved one wandering or pacing, it may be time to begin planning on moving them into memory care. Make sure you put safety first as you develop your plan.

Memory care communities are secured, so residents cannot leave the unit unattended. This security feature will keep your loved one safe while also allowing them to wander throughout the community without consequence.

Your loved one is isolated

Isolation is all too common, with about 1 in 3 adults reporting feeling lonely and 1 in 4 reporting a lack of social and emotional support. If your loved one no longer drives, they are at an even higher risk for isolation. Unfortunately, isolation can cause those who are living with dementia to experience the disease progression at a faster rate than their socialized peers. 

If your loved one with dementia does not consistently socialize with peers (not just family members), they are likely isolated. Even if they live with a partner, they still need positive social experiences with others at least a few times per week. If they are not meeting these baseline parameters, you might consider moving them to memory care.

Memory care communities are busy and vibrant places where it’s easy to socialize with friendly neighbors and team members. Residents gather throughout the day to share meals, attend activities, and enjoy normal routines like watering the garden or watching a favorite classic television show. 

There has been a recent weight loss or gain

Dementia can make it difficult to keep up with the tasks we all do each day to care for ourselves, including planning and preparing our meals. A recent weight loss or gain could indicate that your loved one is struggling to keep up with their nutrition on their own. In addition, if you notice expired foods in the cabinets or refrigerator when you visit, this could point to a need for memory care.

Memory care communities not only serve residents three delicious and nutritious meals each day but also create a social, family-style environment for those meals. The dining team in a memory care community also works with the residents, providing meals that meet their cognitive and physical needs so they can get the nutrition they need to stay healthy.

Your loved one forgets when to take their medication

Medication management can be difficult for the average senior, especially if they take more than four prescribed medications daily. Adding cognitive decline only increases the risk of a medication error, which can sometimes lead to harmful side effects and emergency room visits. 

Outside of an actual medication error and a trip to the ER, there are other ways to determine if your loved one is struggling with their medication regimen. You might notice your loved one’s pillbox is either too full or too empty when you visit or that they are anxious about their medication schedule.

If your loved one is not taking their medications on time or struggles to keep track of the dose, it may be time to research memory care communities in your desired location. Memory care communities provide medication management as a service, and nurses not only give medications to residents at the correct time and in the correct dose but can also communicate with doctors regarding side effects or other concerns.

The house is messy

Sometimes, it is not a major health concern like weight loss or a medication error that demonstrates that your loved one may need memory care support. If you notice your loved one is not paying attention to household management tasks, like cleaning, laundry, or paying the bills, it could be a sign they may need the support of memory care. They may also neglect their personal hygiene, as evidenced by them wearing the same clothes every time you see them or having unkempt hair or body odor.

Managing household chores and personal care tasks can be overwhelming and nearly impossible when living with dementia. If you notice that your loved one is struggling with these tasks, they will likely thrive with the assistance and support found in a memory care community.

Memory care communities feature around-the-clock caregivers who provide not only hands-on assistance with tasks like grooming, showering, and dressing but also light housekeeping and laundry services. Being able to rely on others for these tasks can allow your loved one to stop worrying about them and instead focus their energy on something else, like attending a group activity or making a new friend.

Moving to memory care can help your loved one

The progressive nature of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can make it hard to know when a loved one may need the support of memory care. Still, knowing the signs that it might be time to move to a memory care facility can ensure that your loved one stays safe and healthy. It is never too early to research memory care solutions in your loved one’s desired location. In fact, if they can tour the community with you during the early stage of their disease, they can give you feedback and advocate for their wishes.