At Senior Care Villa of Loomis, we recognize how overwhelming it can be for family caregivers to care for someone with Alzheimer’s. Regardless of the care they provide, there may come a time when they have to consider Alzheimer care in Roseville, CA. The individual might begin exhibiting signs of increased agitation, aggression, or even resistance to care. Other signs that indicate the need for professional care include unsupervised wandering, unexplained weight loss, safety issues, and social withdrawal.
Families should know that making a timely decision is crucial, as it determines the next steps memory care specialists will take. Transitioning at the right time, before symptoms escalate and worsen, is key to supporting a high quality of life. At the same time, families can reduce their caregiving burden and return to being loving family members rather than full-time caregivers.
Here are the signs that can help you determine that it’s time for someone with Alzheimer’s to move to a memory care community.
Struggles With Activities Of Daily Living (ADLs)
Alzheimer’s affects the individual’s thinking, memory, and other important functions. During the moderate to severe stages, they may begin struggling with activities of daily living (ADLs), like eating, toileting, dressing, and bathing. To see if this is the case with your loved one, too, check their ability to complete these and related activities on their own. Here are some signs to watch:
- Forgetting to eat or drink.
- Dressing inappropriately for the weather or occasion.
- Neglecting bathing or showering.
- Experiencing bladder or bowel control issues or having difficulty cleaning themselves after using the restroom.
Unpredictable Changes In Behavior, Mood, And Personality
Another effect of Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline is changes in one’s behavior, personality, and mood. This may cause them to become verbally or physically aggressive toward family members. They may remain confused for extended periods, forgetful, and disoriented. They may want to express themselves, but they may not be able to. Over time, they may begin withdrawing from social interactions and related activities. They may become more anxious and less confident because of various health concerns.
Wandering Too Often And Safety Issues
Wandering is common in both Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. When it becomes severe, it may cause individuals to wander far from home. They may wander into dangerous situations or places such as busy roads or highways. Moreover, they may face safety risks because of their own actions, such as leaving burners or appliances on after use. They may even try to use household items that could pose a danger to them and others.
Frequent Falls And Injuries
Cognitive decline increases one’s fall risk by impairing their brain’s ability to process sensory information, multitask, and execute voluntary movements. Those with Alzheimer’s are up to 8 times more likely to fall than cognitively healthy peers. So if you see your loved one falling more often than before, developing unexplained bruises, or sustaining injuries they cannot explain, know that memory care may be needed. Delaying the move to memory care may increase their risk of emergencies.
Failing To Follow Healthy Habits And Routines
Alzheimer’s progression may cause an individual to stop caring for themselves. Someone who once was a health and fitness enthusiast may stop taking care of their health. They may abandon their healthy habits and routines and may adopt behaviors that are unusual for them. Here’s how you can determine whether this is happening to your loved one:
- Not eating healthy food or overeating.
- Refusing to exercise.
- Missing medications.
- Becoming increasingly sedentary.
Failing To Maintain Their Home And Manage Daily Chores
Besides declining self-care, those with Alzheimer’s may stop cleaning and maintaining their homes. Tasks like cooking, laundry, cleaning, and snow shoveling that once were routine may now become overwhelming. You may notice spoiled food at the dining table or in the fridge, too. Someone who once regularly cared for their pets may stop looking after them.
The Doctor Recommends Professional Care
Doctors can provide an informed assessment of what may be best for your loved one. They can evaluate the details of a situation more accurately than family members may be able to. So if they tell you memory care is needed, know that it may be the best option at that time. Specialized, tailored care and support will help your loved one manage cognitive decline and maintain a better quality of life.
Family Caregiver Experiencing Burnout
Caregiving is both a physically and emotionally challenging responsibility. Regardless of how committed you are to caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, you may eventually experience burnout. You may also reach a point where you may no longer feel capable of caring for them as care needs exceed what you can manage. Know that caregiver burnout may seem like an unavoidable part of caregiving, but it is not healthy for you. It can lead to serious health concerns, including poor sleep, headaches, forgetfulness, and social isolation, too.
Senior Care Villa of Loomis – A Premier Alzheimer’s And Dementia Care Community
At Senior Care Villa of Loomis, we understand that figuring out when a loved one with Alzheimer’s needs professional support is never easy. The above information explains the signs a family can look for when deciding whether it’s time for their loved one to move to memory care. By noticing these indicators, they can plan their loved one’s transition and help them access quality care.
Senior Care Villa of Loomis makes the transition easier. As a premier memory care community, we are committed to delivering exceptional Alzheimer’s care. Our attentive team consists of trained professionals whose primary responsibility is to provide whole-person care. With a warm, welcoming, and compassionate living environment, we make it easier for residents to live fulfilling lives.
To learn more about how our community can support your loved one, contact us today and schedule a tour. With 25 years of experience, we know what it takes to offer tailored care to seniors with Alzheimer’s.
Don’t wait until your loved one’s Alzheimer’s progresses to the point where they become entirely dependent on others; connect with us today.
