One of the hardest decisions you will ever make is when to move a loved one – a parent, grandparent, sibling, or aunt – to a memory care facility after they have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
You’ve no doubt done your research on Alzheimer’s disease and have learned that it progresses in stages. But it’s far more complicated than that. Your loved one’s condition will deteriorate very quickly if you are not careful enough.
In fact, there really isn’t much you can do about it, despite your best efforts. You may not even notice the changes if you spend time with them every day. It is typically when friends and family drop by for a visit and observe how much your loved one has changed that you realize that you really need help.
You must seriously consider moving your loved one to a memory care facility, for their sake and yours.
When to Put a Loved One in a Memory Care Facility
It’s hard to know when is the right time to put a loved one in a memory care facility. It’s different in every situation. Each person has a different experience with Alzheimer’s disease. What’s true for someone else may not be true for your loved one. But there are some questions that you will need to ask yourself.
Does your loved one appear safe? Have there been any falls or accidents lately? Did they leave the stove on, or leave the door open, and forget all about it? If so, you have every reason to be worried about their safety and security.
Is it hard for you to manage your job and other family responsibilities because caring for your loved one is taking up too much of your time?
Do you worry about your loved one all the time and often stay home to care for them?
Are you worried that they might just wander off in the middle of the day and not know how to get back home?
These are some of the questions that only you can answer. You must consider them objectively. Ask other family members for their opinions and make an informed decision on whether it’s time to move your loved one to a memory care facility.
Consult with the Experts
If you’re not sure which memory care facility is right for your loved one, don’t hesitate to consult with a senior placement service such as the Portland-based Right Fit Senior Living Solutions, who have extensive knowledge of the best memory care facilities in the area. This is not an easy decision to make, so you will need all the help you can get.