At Kingsley Senior Living, we understand that while some memory loss is a regular part of aging, what’s not normal is severe memory issues that start to affect one’s daily life. For the early stages, at-home care can be considered, but as problems worsen, specialized memory care facilities are required. Memory care is a specialized care setting that focuses on providing personalized support to patients with memory loss that can’t be offered at home.

But how do you actually know when it’s time for your loved one dealing with memory issues to be moved to a memory care community? The answer lies in recognizing the signs that indicate professional care has become necessary for them. Here’s a blog covering some of these signs.

Safety Risks

Safety for a memory-impaired individual isn’t just about their risk of falls or accidents; it’s about their overall well-being. They may fail to follow their medication routines, get confused about daily activities, fall frequently—even at familiar places—or face other related hazards. Besides the physical challenges, they may face specific mental challenges that entail issues like emotional distress or feelings of anxiety and depression. Know that all these issues can cause serious harm to seniors, due to which they need to be moved to a specialized care setting—a memory care community.

Wandering

Wandering is common among individuals with memory impairment. It may cause anxiety in them or may cause them to look for a past obligation or person. Also, they can get confused and disoriented in their environment and, as a result, may wander in the middle of the night. They may move away from home and may not even know where they are. As a solution, they will receive a safe, supportive living environment in a memory care setting. Enclosed spaces and safety devices, such as alarms, will help the staff locate residents if they wander into unauthorized areas.

Aggression

Aggression is yet another quite common issue that occurs among individuals with memory impairment. As a dementia-related symptom, it may stem from underlying causes like confusion, frustration, and an inability to communicate their needs. In addition, it can be caused by environmental factors, pain, or feeling rushed or threatened. As a solution, memory care communities will offer specialized environments and personalized care plans. Receiving such care helps residents feel calm and more in control of their environment, ultimately leading them to feel at peace.

Declining Personal Hygiene

Another thing worth noting in individuals with memory issues is their tendency to overlook their personal hygiene. As the disease progresses, they may begin to ignore their personal hygiene, such as forgetting to bathe, groom, or wear clean clothes. Showing signs of strong body odor, unkempt hair and nails, and wearing dirty or disheveled clothes are all indicators that they need specialized professional care. All these issues can lead to various health problems, which a specialized environment, such as a memory care community, can prevent.

Nutrition And Health Issues

Those with memory issues may also stop following a healthy diet regimen. They may begin indulging in unhealthy eating habits, such as eating too quickly, skipping meals, distracted eating, and consuming excessive amounts of sugar, salt, and processed foods. All this, over time, can lead to them facing severe health issues like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and more. Moving to a memory care community would allow them access to a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean proteins, which supports their brain health and helps them manage their dementia-related symptoms.

Behavioral Changes

Besides aggression, a person with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia may face behavioral changes such as confusion, mood swings, agitation, paranoia, or personality shifts like social withdrawal and irritability. These are typically caused by brain cell damage that affects their judgment, impulse control, and emotional regulation. For this, a memory care community provides the memory-impaired individuals a holistic, person-centered approach, a structured environment, specialized staff training, and non-pharmacological therapies.

Difficulty With Daily Activities

Issues like confusion, memory loss, and behavioral changes make daily living tasks and activities like grooming, cooking, and managing finances challenging for an individual with dementia. As the condition progresses, they may also struggle to socialize and participate in the different scheduled activities. To help residents cope with these challenges, the memory care community establishes a routine, breaks tasks into smaller chunks, and provides clear instructions for each activity.

Caregiver Burnout

It’s not just the memory-impaired individuals who face various challenges due to the disease’s progression; the family caregivers also have a lot of burden on their shoulders. Due to their inability to care for their loved one, caregivers may experience caregiver burnout, which can manifest as emotional, physical, and behavioral changes, such as exhaustion, irritability, sleep and appetite changes, social withdrawal, and neglect of personal health. Caregivers may also feel overwhelmed, resentful, or guilty and experience difficulty with decision-making. Moving their loved ones to a memory care community gives the individual access to a safe, specialized care setting and allows family caregivers to take the much-needed break.

Kingsley Senior Living—Providing Top-Notch Memory Care Services

At Kingsley Senior Living, we believe that memory issues can pose a real challenge for both the affected individual and their family. Both parties have to bear a heavy emotional and physical burden. Knowing when to seek professional guidance is key to ensuring the individual receives proper care and that the family doesn’t have to bear the burden of caregiving, which can often feel overwhelming. By noticing the signs above, a family can easily know that it’s time for their loved one to move to a memory care community.

However, for the family, it’s essential to choose the right memory care community to ensure their loved one receives the best care and support. And for that, they can choose Kingsley Senior Living. Choosing us means guaranteeing a brighter future for your loved one—one filled with joy, compassion, and a sense of purpose. Receiving the best memory care treatment, they will be able to lead an enriched life. Contact us today and schedule your tour to get a firsthand look at everything our community has to offer.