There are an estimated 5.8 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. People with dementia can begin to exhibit certain behaviors as dementia progresses. If behaviors impact the quality of day-to-day living, a person with dementia would be better off living in a facility that provides memory care. A place that employs staff members trained in working with people who have some form of dementia.

Behaviors that indicate that it may be time for a loved one to live in a facility that offers memory care

Changes in Behavior

It is not uncommon for people with dementia to begin acting dramatically in several ways that are different from their usual behavior. For example, a loved one may become fearful about driving and decline to leave the house, and a person who enjoys a polished appearance may discontinue daily grooming because they have forgotten how to and are embarrassed to ask for help. They may become anxious or agitated about things that were not huge concerns before.

Confusion and Disorientation that Impacts Safety

Dementia can cause confusion and disorientation, which can cause harmful accidents. For example, someone with dementia could be driving and forget the rules of the road and get into an accident, or they can take a walk away from home and forget how to get back. If there are recurring instances of a loved one becoming forgetful and putting their safety at risk, it may be time for memory care services.

Declining Physical Health

Physical changes such as becoming thin and frail due to forgetting to grocery shop or take necessary medications are common factors of dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is not surprising for a person with dementia to forget to take medication or forget that they took it and take too much.

Negative Impacts on a Caregiver

Many people with dementia are cared for by their relatives. A large percentage of them are by a spouse or significant other. If the caregiver has their own decline in health, passes away, or is held back in their daily expectations due to the needs of the one with dementia, the loved one may benefit from being placed in memory care services.

Incontinence

If incontinence becomes a big problem, it is not uncommon for family members and even hired professional in-home medical caregivers to become overwhelmed. It is not something to be ashamed of needing more help with, but it is a good time to consider a memory care facility.

If you have noticed some or all of these signs in your loved one, it may be time to consider memory care.

Check in with their primary care provider to help determine your loved one’s need for memory care. Tell them about the changes you have been noticing and ask them if they would recommend a full-time memory care facility.

At 3 Tree Vista, we provide the best in comfortable and caring full-time memory care services.

Our main goal is to design and organize a living arrangement that makes your loved ones feel like they are living at home because they are at home. We are a family-owned and operated facility dedicated to the best care of our residents.

Please contact us anytime for more information on our memory care in Burien or to take a tour.

Some questions to help determine if someone might want to consider memory care for a loved one:

• Have any recent accidents involving home appliances, like forgetting to turn off the stove?
• Should there be a fire, would the patient be capable of following through with necessary emergency procedures such as calling 911 and getting out of the home on their own?
• Is the patient less and less independent with daily activities like dressing and eating?
• Are they becoming suspicious of others, their medication, or eating certain foods?
• Is your loved one willing to take all medications on schedule and use a device to help remind them?
• Has your loved one gotten lost on a walk or on errands? Can they remember important personal info such as an address, phone number, and contacts for them to return home?
• How is your personal health as a primary caregiver? Can you still perform everything you need to do?
• Do you have additional support for your loved one’s care?