When to Get Alzheimer’s Care for Your Parent
Alzheimer’s Care for Your Parent
Changes in behavior that are problematic, cause safety issues, and caregiver exhaustion are the top indicators that a memory care center is necessary. Use the following thirteen questions to analyze your family’s position.
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Have friends or relatives commented on behavioral changes?
While providing full-time care for a person with dementia, it might be difficult to notice gradual changes, such as weight loss over several months. However, a family member or acquaintance who only sees the individual a few times a year may find this transformation alarming and noticeable.
Is your loved one irritated or belligerent?
Seniors with dementia may endure bewilderment and anxiety, resulting in anger or violence. They may bite, kick, or strike caretakers. Verbal abuse and manipulation are commonplace as well: The elderly may insult family and friends or accuse them of stealing.
When an elderly spouse cares for a senior with dementia, aggression can be very deadly. As a result of sundown syndrome, agitation and aggressiveness are more prevalent in the evening.
Is your elderly relative withdrawn or tense?
A person with dementia may begin to shun social invitations and retreat from society. Having less energy is a regular aspect of aging. Avoiding beloved activities, however, is a red flag. Similarly, a once-confident individual may hesitate to drive and choose to go on solo walks instead.
Are their hygienic needs met?
A senior who once took an interest in their appearance may neglect basic hygienic procedures such as showering and changing clothes. They may also need help styling their hair or applying cosmetics yet feel too embarrassed to ask for assistance. In severe circumstances, dementia patients may have senior incontinence or fail to clean themselves after using the restroom.
Does your companion wander?
Commonly, wandering indicates the need for a memory care institution. Seniors may become lost or confused and wander far from their homes without realizing it. This can lead to potentially hazardous circumstances, such as walking on busy roads or being caught in harsh weather.
Installing locks and alarms at home may be essential to prevent roaming. Commonly, memory care communities offer a distinctive design and outdoor areas to facilitate safe, secure walking.
Is their living environment safe?
A person with dementia who is aging in place may begin to hoard household goods or neglect laundry and housekeeping. They can consume tainted food or neglect to remove pet waste. Home safety threats associated with Alzheimer’s disease may include trip hazards, fall risks, cooking appliances, firearms, and domestic chemicals. Providing dementia care at home frequently necessitates extensive safety improvements. Consider in-home hospice care for a longer term better quality of life >>
Are their meds appropriately controlled?
Neglecting to take a prescribed drug or taking too much of it can result in severe adverse effects. Reminders, alerts, and pill separators may be helpful for elders with early-stage dementia, but persons with severe cognitive decline require more assistance. Therefore, medication management is an essential component of dementia treatment.
Is your loved one adequately nourished?
Existing health issues may necessitate particular food programs for seniors with dementia. For example, aging-in-place adults may forget to eat or overeat after forgetting they have recently eaten, resulting in considerable weight shifts.
Have you begun to experience caregiver burnout?
It is essential to strike a balance between your personal wants and those of your loved ones. It is typical for dementia carers to feel annoyed or overwhelmed occasionally. However, if left ignored, these emotions can result in caregiver burnout and have detrimental effects on the caregiver and their loved one.
Is your loved one’s care going well?
When caring for a person with dementia, it is time to seek assistance if your instant response is “nothing is going well” or you have to think about it.
Do you harbor resentment against them?
You may be emotionally exhausted if you cannot recall anything good about your loved one. Overexposure to one another can cause caregivers to dwell on the downsides. Instead, take the opportunity to reflect on your relationship with your loved one and rejuvenate.
Is providing care impacting your health?
Caregiver burnout can have severe physical and emotional repercussions. If your mental or physical health is deteriorating, assess the impact that providing care has had on your life. For example, are you experiencing depression or anxiety, or are the physical aspects of caring for a loved one increasingly painful? Remember that deteriorating health might put you and your loved ones in danger.
Are you and your loved ones safe?
Anger caused by dementia can result in physical, sexual, or emotional aggressiveness. It might be challenging to realize that a loved one may threaten your safety. However, keep in mind that these extreme behavioral changes are typical. Especially if you are a sandwich generation caregiver with children in the home, observe violent conduct.
Finding care amid a Dementia crisis
Aggression and agitation are two of the most prevalent causes of dementia crises. If your loved one’s dementia-related behaviors are suddenly no longer tolerable at home, it is essential to prepare a strategy.
To get Alzheimer’s Care for Your Parent, it may be time to consider at-home hospice care or palliative care. Call Home Health & Hospice today to schedule an in-home consultation.