Deciding to move a loved one to a memory care home may leave you fraught with guilt. ‘Am I being selfish?’ That’s the first question that may pop up in your mind if you’re considering this option for a parent, aunt, or grandparent. But, you should seek reprieve because memory care homes make the transition from home to a care facility easier. According to statistics, 6 in 10 dementia patients tend to wander, and memory care facilities provide the safety you yearn for your loved ones.

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care Home?

Assisted living provides care and support to seniors, keeping their independence intact.  And Assisted living is ideal for those who need help with daily activities but still have sound reasoning. Memory care homes are facilities designed to assist people with cognitive problems like dementia.

Dementia patients tend to experience confusion, disorientation, and anxiety. Therefore, they need a predictable, stable routine to alleviate these symptoms. Memory care homes have mechanisms and trained staff equipped to make a dementia patient’s life as easy and stress-free as possible. They adopt a holistic approach to meet the needs of dementia patients. Therefore, if you’re a dementia caregiver, a memory care home is the clear choice for your loved one.

When Is It Time to Move A Loved One To A Memory Care Home?

When you adopt the role of caregiver, the responsibilities can pile up. You have the option of a memory care home. But when is the right time to make the move? A dementia patient’s condition can progressively worsen, which may make it harder for you to handle them alone.

Here are some of the reasons that tell you it’s time to consider memory care for a loved one.

1.     You Experience Burnout

Caregiver burnout is real. It is a combination of mental and physical exhaustion from the caregiving duties. Taking care of a dementia patient is not easy. Dementia patients tend to experience sleep problems. And they may wake up at odd times at night. You may be exhausted by then, but this problem may exacerbate instead of improving. Handling their disturbed sleep patterns as well as their behavioral symptoms can be a lot to take. Additionally, this can take a toll on your health. If you start to experience the following symptoms, you may be burnout:

• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Severe exhaustion
• Changes in the sleep cycle
• Feeling depressed
• Increased reliance on medications or alcohol

In this case, it is okay to give yourself a break and consider memory care.

2.     Your Loved One Tends To Wander

Disorientation and confusion are common signs of dementia. Over the course of this disease, this symptom tends to worsen. 25% of people with moderate dementia experience sleep disturbance, while 50% of people with severe dementia experience sleep problems. Your loved one may wake up in the middle of the night and wander. This can be extremely dangerous and pose a threat to their safety.

A dementia patient may end up somewhere, unable to find their way back. They may also get frightened in unfamiliar territory and panic. As a caregiver, you can’t keep a watch on them 24/7, especially at night. This is when you should consider making a move as that’s in your loved one’s best interest. Memory care homes have mechanisms to keep a watch on dementia patients round the clock, ensuring their safety.

3.     They Feel Isolated

Even in the role of caregiver, you likely have other commitments. You could have a part-time job, a social commitment, or the need to run errands. Since it can be very hard to go out with a dementia patient, they can sink into isolation. They can experience depression, and they may be unable to communicate this to you. Depression and dementia are common and may manifest in the following ways:

• Prolonged periods of crying
• Increased agitation
• Reduced appetite

If you hate seeing your loved ones in this state, you should consider memory care. Memory care homes have activities designed specifically for people with dementia. This will keep them occupied and mitigate the feelings of loneliness and isolation. Your loved one will feel more active and purposeful, reducing the anxiety that may lead to depression.

4.     They Have Unexplained Physical Changes

Signs of dementia may worsen over time. However, you should keep a close watch on the physical condition of your loved ones. They may start to lose weight, experience drastic changes in sleep patterns or experience other physical ailments. This could be a sign they need added assistance. This doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong! It simply means that as a layperson, you are not equipped to take care of a dementia patient fully.

In such an event, you should consult their doctor as well as a memory care home. A memory care home will closely monitor their condition and ensure they get the nutrition they need. This way, their health will be taken care of.

5.     Your Relationship With Them Is Suffering

When you become a caregiver, your relationship with your loved one will inevitably change. Additionally, you will no longer be able to spend time with them as their child, grandchild, or nephew. And this can strain relations. It’s common for you to yearn for that relationship and spend time with them the way you used to do before.

You can always consider memory care for your loved ones and restore your relationship with them. They will benefit from professional care, and you can benefit from the love and affection of a parent.

Final Word

If the role of caregiving gets overly challenging at any time, it’s okay to consider other options. You should not be burdened by feelings of guilt or grief. After all, if you aren’t fit to take care of a loved one, they will end up suffering too. Memory care homes provide professional care to dementia patients, so choosing that for your loved ones is a smart choice. You will likely see an improvement in their condition, which will help everyone in the long run.

We Are Here To Help

At Sycamore Creek Ranch Memory Care we are here to help. We want families to make the best decision for their situation

Furthermore, the staff at Sycamore Creek Ranch is proactive. That means we are not waiting for a problem to arise. Instead, we are actively engaged with each and every resident. And with only 16 residents we can do that!

If you are looking for Memory Care in The Woodlands or Memory  Care in Spring, Texas come for a tour at Sycamore Creek Ranch! See how we can help.