When to Consider Memory Care: 5 Crucial Questions

November 04, 2024 | Blog

Knowing when a loved one is ready for memory care can be one of the most emotional and difficult decisions you will ever have to make. But that doesn’t mean you have to navigate this on your own.

At Friendship Village, we want you to know that you’re not alone — and we’re here to help make this process less overwhelming by equipping you with five questions to ask as you explore this important decision.

1. Is your loved one struggling with daily activities?
   Dressing, bathing, cooking, eating — all of these activities are something we probably don’t give much thought to. But these basic tasks that were once routine can become increasingly harder to manage for someone experiencing memory loss.
   
   At Friendship Village, we provide compassionate assistance with these activities — ensuring that your loved one’s personal care and daily needs are met, while preserving their dignity and making things less stressful for you.
   
2. Is safety becoming more of a concern?
   This is one of the most immediate issues when it comes to memory decline. Maybe your loved one has been wandering from home and becoming lost or confused, or perhaps they’ve left the stove on or have forgotten to take their medication. If these types of potentially hazardous situations have become more and more frequent, it could very well be a sign that their current living arrangement is no longer suitable.
   
   Memory Care communities like Friendship Village are specifically designed with safety in mind — offering a secure environment with features like alarmed doors and controlled access to prevent wandering, around-the-clock supervision, and staff members trained to respond to the unique needs of those with memory impairments.
   
3. Have you noticed significant behavioral and personality changes?
   Confusion, mood swings, aggression and irritability can naturally result when someone experiences memory decline, and you may have also noticed that your loved one has lost interest in hobbies and social activities they once loved.
   
   Memory Care communities are staffed with caregivers who are trained to handle behavioral changes with empathy and patience. And they provide stability by engaging residents in structured routines and activities tailored to the needs of seniors with memory loss — including therapeutic activities that promote calmness and well-being, while minimizing confusion and anxiety.
   
4. Are caregiving responsibilities becoming overwhelming?
   Taking care of a loved one with memory decline can impact your health, work and personal life, and this shouldn’t be ignored. Having to continually keep a close watch can certainly take a toll, causing you to feel stressed, burned out or even guilty that you can’t provide all the care they need.
   
   This could be telling you that it’s time to take a step back and let a Memory Care community give you the much-needed relief you deserve. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is in a safe environment with professionals who understand their challenges. And you’ll be able to focus on your relationship with your loved one rather than being consumed by the daily demands of caregiving.
   
5. Has your loved one been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia?
   It’s important to understand that certain cognitive disorders can worsen over time, becoming more complex and challenging to manage at home as the condition progresses.
   
   At Friendship Village, we’re equipped to handle these changes with specialized programs and ongoing staff training to support memory, behavior and daily functioning. And you can be assured that our personalized care plans are designed to help your loved one maintain their independence for as long as possible, while providing the expert assistance they need.

These five essential questions will help guide you in making the most informed decision about memory care, and give you peace of mind that you’re taking a positive step toward protecting your loved one’s safety and enhancing their physical and emotional well-being.

Through our Heartfelt CONNECTIONS — A Memory Care Program^TM at Friendship Village, we focus on emphasizing your loved one’s wonderful abilities that remain, rather than their abilities that have diminished over time. And we’d love to tell you more about what makes our community so special. Contact us today and we’ll be sure and reach out to you.