Understanding the Transition to Memory Care: Tips for Families

It’s not unusual to experience a little forgetfulness — misplacing car keys, forgetting someone’s name — as we age. But if you start to notice more profound memory loss in a loved one, how can you tell if it’s normal aging or the early signs of dementia? Here’s what you need to know about dementia — including its signs and stages — and senior care tips to help families recognize when a memory care transition is necessary for a loved one.

10 Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Dementia is the term for a group of symptoms, including Alzheimer’s disease — thought to be caused by the abnormal buildup of amyloid and tau proteins — as well as diseases of the blood vessels that can lead to a stroke. These diseases can cause a significant decline in mental abilities, memory, thinking, and reasoning. They could also result in problems such as paying household bills, using the phone, managing medicines, driving safely, or meeting up with friends.

Here are 10 memory care tips for families to look out for:

1. Easily forgotten: Forgetting recently learned information is one of the common early signs of dementia. Other signs include forgetting important dates or events, repeating the same questions over and over, and increasingly using memory aids.
2. Challenges planning or solving problems: Look for changes in the ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. This might include trouble following a familiar recipe, keeping track of monthly bills, or difficulty concentrating.
3. Problems completing familiar tasks: It can become hard to complete daily tasks. This could mean trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
4. Time or place confusion: This might involve losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. It could also lead to trouble understanding something if it’s not happening immediately or forgetting where they are or how they got there.
5. Difficulty with vision and distance: This can cause trouble with balance or reading. A person with dementia may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, which could affect their ability to drive.
6. Trouble with language: Pay attention if there’s an issue following or joining a conversation. They may also stop in the middle of a conversation and not know how to continue, or even repeat themselves. They could even have trouble naming familiar objects or use the wrong word.
7. Misplacing things: Someone with dementia could be putting things in unusual places and be unable to retrace their steps to find them again. As the disease progresses, they could start accusing others of stealing.
8. Poor judgment: Look for changes in judgment or decision-making, including problems handling money or paying less attention to personal grooming.
9. Withdrawal: There may be changes in their ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, they might withdraw from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements. It may also mean trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
10. Mood and personality changes: Watch for mood and personality changes. They may also become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They could be easily upset at home, with friends, or when out of their comfort zone.

Three Stages of Dementia

Defined is a progressive disease that can last for years, and it’s typically defined by three broad stages with specific characteristics. Once someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it doesn’t automatically mean memory care is the only answer. A Life Care Community, like Santa Marta, offers a variety of services, so it’s important to assess your family member’s needs. Their memory loss might be mild enough to consider an assisted living community. However, to make a potential transition easier, it’s a good idea to consider a community that has assisted living and memory care.

Early-stage dementia: Symptoms can include slight lapses in memory, issues with planning, organizing, concentrating on tasks, or accomplishing tasks at work. During this stage, individuals are often still able to function independently, drive and maintain a social life. This early stage typically lasts between two and four years. While memory care might not be needed at this stage, it’s a good time to start researching assisted living communities.

Middle-stage dementia: This is often the longest stage of the disease, lasting between two and 10 years. Memory issues are more severe, and communication becomes harder as your loved one may lose track of their thoughts, be unable to follow conversations, or have trouble understanding what others are saying. Mood and behavior can also start to change.

As the disease progresses, your family member will start to lose their independence, making it a good time to move into a memory care community. There, they can get help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and more.

Late-stage dementia: This severe stage of dementia, also known as advanced dementia, lasts approximately one to three years. At this point, your loved one may require 24-hour supervised care. Communication issues become significant, and verbal communication might cease entirely. Memory worsens, and your family member forget to recall recent meals or even the names of close family members. They may also experience confusion regarding time and place. Difficulty walking becomes apparent, and extensive assistance is needed for daily activities, including personal hygiene and eating. In the final phase of this stage, your loved one will most likely be bedridden.

Benefits of a Memory Care Community like Santa Marta

Memory care communities, designed by dementia care experts, promote independence within a safe and homelike setting. Residents receive assistance with activities of daily living and around-the-clock care from a knowledgeable, well-trained staff who get to know their likes and dislikes.

Other benefits include:

Total well-being: Memory care communities offer programs tailored specifically to residents with memory loss, enhancing their physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual well-being. They also address issues like wandering, memory impairment, and other behaviors.

Improved quality of life: Memory care programs offer increased wellness, nutrition, social interactions, and independence. Services such as daily meals, housekeeping, laundry, and medication management are included. Living in a community often results in fewer injuries, falls, and visits to hospitals compared to living at home.

Social opportunities: These communities provide a level of security necessary to keep residents safe while allowing them to stay socially and intellectually active.

Peace of mind: Knowing your loved one is under the 24-hour care of trained professionals offers you and your family peace of mind. It also relieves you from the sometimes difficult task of care at home.

Learn More about Our Memory Care Services

If you’re noticing that your loved one is experiencing dementia-related memory issues, talk with their doctor about possible next steps, including transitioning to a memory care community like Santa Marta. To learn more, contact one of our helpful senior living counselors.