It can be incredibly stressful when someone you love is diagnosed with a memory condition. Please know you’re not alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Memory conditions, like Alzheimer’s and dementia, tend to progress over time. For many families, this is a stressful and emotional time.
Every individual’s journey is unique, so there’s no universal or agreeable right time to transition into a memory care community. But, if your loved one is no longer able to live safely at home or their symptoms are becoming too complex to manage at home, it might be time to consider additional support.
In this blog, we’ll help you understand when memory care might be the right choice for your family member — to help you find the right support for their specific needs and situation.
Signs it Might Be Time for Memory Care
Sometimes, changes in your loved one’s behavior can indicate a need for specialized support services. Recognizing these signs early can have a big impact on their quality of life.
However, emotional questions like “When should someone with dementia go into a senior living community?” or “When is it time for memory care?” aren’t always easy to answer. While some common signs of memory loss might be obvious, others can be harder to notice, especially if your family member lives alone or far away.
Here are some common signs that might suggest it’s the right time for memory care:
- Increased Forgetfulness: As dementia progresses, individuals may start to struggle with familiar routines, skip medication, or forget the names of familiar people and places. If your loved one is becoming more forgetful, especially when it comes to recent events, it may be a sign they need additional support.
- Difficulty With Daily Activities: Activities of daily living (ADLs), like cooking, cleaning, or personal hygiene tasks, can become overwhelming for someone with memory impairment. If you notice your family member is struggling to perform tasks due to forgetfulness, memory care can be a worthwhile consideration.
- Confusion and Disorientation: Sometimes, people with later-stage memory conditions may wander or get lost, even in their own neighborhood. This might be an indication that they need specialized support.
- Changes in Behavior and Mood: Noticeable changes in mood and behavior, such as increased agitation, anxiety, or depression, can be signs of a later-stage memory condition and may indicate it’s time to consider memory care.
- Poor Judgment and Decision Making: If your family member is making poor decisions or showing a lack of judgment, it might be a sign that they could use extra help. This can include things like giving away large sums of money, forgetting to pay bills, or neglecting their health.
- Social Withdrawal: Some people may start to withdraw from social activities or lose interest in hobbies they once enjoyed as their memory condition progresses. This could be a sign they need more support.
- Safety Concerns: Increased forgetfulness can lead to safety hazards, such as leaving the stove on, wandering away from home, or forgetting to lock doors. If living alone has become unsafe for your family member, memory care may provide the secure environment they need.
Making the Decision
As dementia progresses, many family caregivers often wonder: “When should someone with dementia join a memory care community?” Deciding when to transition your loved one into memory care can be a deeply emotional and challenging decision. You’re not alone in this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
As you consider additional support for your family member, it’s important to involve them in the process. Talking to your loved one about their wishes and preferences can help reduce their anxiety and make the transition go more smoothly.
When considering a memory care community, it’s also important to keep the whole family involved. Having open and honest conversations with your loved ones about everyone’s concerns and wishes will help ensure that all family members’ perspectives are considered.
What Care Options Are Available?
There are several support services available, depending on your loved one’s specific needs and situation. Here are some common options to consider:
- Adult Day Care Services: Adult day care services are designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for your loved one to spend the day while you manage other responsibilities. These programs often include social activities, meals, and even basic medical care.
- Respite Care: Respite care gives you the chance to take a break from the demanding responsibilities of caregiving while making sure your loved one gets the assistance they need.
- In-Home Care: In-home care lets your family member receive the support he or she needs in the familiar surroundings of home. This can include assistance with meals, bathing, and moving around. In-home care can be adjusted as your loved one’s needs change over time.
- Memory Care: Memory care communities provide a secure and supportive environment for individuals with memory impairments. Caregivers in memory care communities are professionally trained to support the unique needs of individuals with dementia.
Average Cost
Understanding the costs of the different assistance options can help you plan effectively for your loved one’s support. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for each option:
- Adult Day Care: Adult day care centers typically charge between $60 and $100 per day. Monthly costs usually fall between $1,200 and $2,000, depending on the location and the services offered.
- Respite Care: Respite care typically costs between $100 and $200 per day. If provided in a care community, the cost could be higher, depending on the specific needs of your loved one and the community’s offerings.
- In-Home Care: The cost of in-home care can vary widely depending on how many hours of assistance your loved one needs. On average, home care agencies charge between $20 and $30 per hour. For full-time care, you can expect to pay between $4,000 and $6,000 per month.
- Memory Care: Memory care costs usually range from $4,000 to $7,000 per month. The cost depends on a wide range of factors, including the level of care needed, the community’s location, and any additional services provided.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Care Option
Finding the right support for your loved one can make a significant difference in their quality of life. When considering different support services for a parent or family member with a memory condition, there are a few key things to consider, such as:
- Your Loved One’s Needs: Their unique needs are perhaps the most important factor to consider when seeking additional support. Do they need help with activities of daily living (ADLs), like preparing meals or bathing? Or do they need more intensive support, such as 24/7 supervision or specialized medical assistance? Having a good understanding of your family member’s unique needs can help you narrow down your options.
- Safety and Security: If your loved one is at risk of wandering, falling, or having frequent accidents due to memory loss, memory care might provide the support they need to live safely and comfortably.
- Budget Considerations: Each support option comes with its own costs. It’s important to review your budget and see what’s affordable.
- Family Involvement and Support: Consider how much time your family can realistically commit to caregiving. Some options, like in-home care, let family members stay involved while caregivers handle specific needs. If your family isn’t able to keep up with your loved one’s needs, it might be time to consider memory care.
- Emotional Well-Being: It’s also essential to think about how your loved one feels. Some people feel more comfortable receiving support in the familiar surroundings of home, while others might thrive in a community setting, where they can connect with others.
- Continuum of Care: When thinking about extra support for your loved one, it’s important to choose an option that can adjust as their needs change. This can help ensure they continue to receive the right support, even as their needs evolve.
Transitioning to a Senior Living Community
The transition to a senior living community can be a challenging time for everyone involved. It’s normal for your loved one to feel confused or unsettled at first, and it may take some adjustment for them to get used to their new home. This may take a few weeks or even months. It’s important to be patient and understanding during this period.
Your loved one might feel anxious or upset about their new surroundings. To help ease this resistance, involve them in the process as much as possible and talk about the benefits of the move in a positive, reassuring way. It might also help to tour their new community with them before the actual move and introduce them to the employees.
Here are some additional ways you can offer the best support to your family member during this time:
- Stay Engaged and Connected: While a memory care community may support your loved one’s needs, it’s important to stay involved. You can visit them regularly and engage in activities they enjoy.
- Communicate With Community Employees: Building a strong relationship with community employees can help ensure that your loved one receives personalized assistance and feels more at home.
- Encourage Memory Care Programs: Memory care communities typically offer a wide range of programs specially designed for residents with cognitive conditions. Participating in these programs can be an excellent way for your family member to stay active and engaged.
StoryPoint Group: Here for You and Your Loved One
At StoryPoint Group communities, we truly understand the challenges you face in providing the best support for your parent. We’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have questions about memory care or any other type of senior living, we’re here to help you. Give us a call today at 1-844-275-9990 or schedule a visit to a StoryPoint Group community near your location. We can’t wait to welcome you!
