Does your aging parent show signs of forgetfulness that impact his or her ability to live day to day without assistance? If so, it may be time to consider memory care, a type of assisted living community in which seniors live and are cared for by professionals experienced in dealing with dementia. Let us take a look at three warning signs to watch out for that show your aging parent may need memory care soon, and tips on how to find the right community for them.
1. Personal and Home Hygiene. If your aging parent is no longer able to keep up with daily hygiene routines because they cannot remember to do each task, like bathing, face washing, teeth brushing, or dressing, it may be a sign that it is time to consider memory care. This is different from a parent who knows they need to do each thing but does not have the physical energy or strength to take a shower, for example. A parent who just cannot remember that they need to take care of themselves may need memory care soon.
2. Getting Lost. It can be one thing if your aging parent is not able to find the way to meet you at a new restaurant or playground with your kids, but if your parent gets lost on a walking route in his or her own neighborhood that he or she used to walk every morning or can no longer find the way to the usual grocery store, or even possibly get lost in the grocery store aisles once driven there by somebody else, it may be time to consider memory care.
3. Losing Weight. Weight loss can be a telltale sign that memory care will be needed because it shows that your parent may be forgetting to buy food, cook, or eat a meal once it is prepared. If it is a question of making it easier by having pre-packaged meals delivered, and your parent can still remember to eat without being reminded you probably have some time. If the problem is that your parent does not remember it is time for lunch, or that he or she is hungry, memory care could provide an environment where this issue is mitigated.
If any of these signs appear in your aging parent, you may wish to call an elder law attorney to talk about the different options available when it comes to memory care communities. Our office is here for you and your loved ones. Please call us to schedule a meeting time.