Facing the concept of your loved one struggling with memory impairment can be difficult. Whether it is from natural aging or a disease like Alzheimer’s. The reality is a tough one to face and as a caregiver, you might try to deny it for your own emotional well-being. Unfortunately, this is a reality many will have to face and we wanted to share some of our experiences on noting when it is time to consider memory care.
Memory Impairment is Causing Physical Dangers
When a loved one is struggling to recall the name or place of a certain memory, it is easy to chalk it up to a “senior moment”. However, if you notice that memory impairment is starting to cause dangers for your loved one, it might be time to consider memory care. If they live at home and have left burners on the stove or injuries that they can’t explain, memory care should be considered.
As A Caregiver, You Are Neglecting Your Own Work and Family
At Senior Living Specialists, we have seen this as a common theme among parents needing memory care facilities and their caregivers mentally refusing the idea. The level of care for a loved one suffering from memory impairment can cause such a demand that caregivers begin to ignore their own family’s needs or even miss professional job duties to “cover” for their parent. If you notice yourself having to constantly leave work to address the needs of a loved one struggling cognitively, it is probably time to consider memory care.
Your Once Social Loved One Has Drawn into Isolation
If your loved one went from being the “life of the party” with an extended social group of friends to having few (if any) this might be a sign for needing memory care. It is a common occurrence for those suffering from memory impairment to be confused when interacting with others so they begin to naturally isolate themselves from others.
They Have Been Diagnosed with A Memory Impairment Disease
As caregivers, it can be natural to try and ignore some of the signs around memory impairment. You don’t want to admit that a loved one is growing older and that you might not be able to care for them anymore. If their family physician or a specialist has diagnosed them with a memory-related illness (ex. Dementia or Alzheimer’s) then you need to start considering memory care immediately.
In Closing
It can be a very difficult reality to face as a caregiver when a loved one needs memory care. You don’t want to admit that they are aging or that you can no longer care for them. However, we have found that many in this struggling situation can often see their loved one excel in a memory care environment. The structure, social interaction, and close monitoring can often help them.
Don’t ignore the signs when they happen and reach out to Senior Living Specialists to receive guidance and help in selecting the right memory care facility in Dallas-Fort Worth.