When you or a loved one is newly diagnosed with a condition like Alzheimer's or dementia, it's important to get care needs addressed as they come up. In the early stages of memory care, it's possible that the individual only needs some light housekeeping or rides to appointments. Whether your loved one is at home living independently or has moved into an assisted living facility, memory care is specialized care with the goal of helping your loved one maintain independence. From basic medication management to full care as the person's memory gets worse, memory care services can make it possible for a person to remain at home for longer than if they tried to live alone without help.
Figuring Out What Is Needed
Take a look at the chores you are helping out with already when it comes to a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. If your chore list has become longer, it's time to get some professional help in place. Although you may want to be there for your family member, you can become burnt out as a caregiver. Once you can determine what help is needed, finding a care provider to take over some of the work for you will decrease the dependence your loved one has on you.
Additional Services Can Be Added
Understand that when a person starts to receive memory care services, this is a starting point to see what works and what is helpful. You may discover that your loved one needs more help throughout the day or learn that they are able to take care of more of their own needs independently. Memory care is a work in progress, and this means services can be added any time there is a need. If you have a loved one already receiving services, you can always ask for additional support if you find areas that are suffering.
Talking To Your Loved One About Services
It's hard for an independent, older member of your family to accept they need help in the home. If you have been picking up the slack, they may not have noticed how much work you are actually doing. Introduce help into the home slowly, and remind your loved one that a little help around the house means more independence from you.
Memory care services are an integral part of the lives of many clients living at home or in assisted living. Take the burden off of your family, and hire memory care services to meet the needs of your loved ones.
Contact a memory care provider to learn more.
