In some cases, it may also put you and your loved one in danger. It can be stressful to help your family member navigate life at home when they are seeing and experiencing things that aren’t real.
Your loved one may begin to experience delusions and hallucinations with the progression of their dementia. Memory care staff are trained in person-centered cognitive behavioral techniques to skillfully redirect behavior. As these behaviors intensify over time, they can be difficult to redirect and cope with as a solo family caregiver. As the disease progresses, it’s common for those with dementia to experience irritability, agitation, aggression, and sundowning. In order to prevent infections, incontinence care requires equipment and supplies beyond what is sometimes possible at home. Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia may also result in chronic incontinence, which can be tough to handle at home. If you have a difficult time lifting or maneuvering a loved one for bathroom visits, it can be dangerous for you and your loved one’s health and safety to continue caregiving at home.
Dementia leads to a progressive decline in abilities, so your loved one may have increased challenges with their independence and activities of daily living (ADLs). The following signs may indicate when dementia patients should go into care: Understanding how your loved one’s condition is progressing and how much support may be provided at home can help ensure that the person with dementia receives the care they need to stay as healthy and comfortable as possible. Have an open discussion with all family members, including spouses or partners, and the patient’s medical care team. It can be difficult to determine when memory care is appropriate, as situations vary from person to person.