Caring for a loved one who’s living with Alzheimer's can be incredibly stressful. From monitoring when they take their medications to ensuring that they stay safe 24 hours a day, it’s not easy on anybody. This holds true even if you have a full-time caregiver for them. At some point, your parent is going to reach a point where they need full-time Alzheimer's care in Maricopa County. If you’re not sure if your loved one falls into this category, our team at Sage Medical has put together a list of five signs that should let you know when they do.
A decline in overall health
Alzheimer's will often contribute to an increased decline in overall health in seniors. Often, those who live with memory loss will lose track of the days as well as the time of day, which can affect eating and sleeping patterns and take a severe toll on physical and mental health. Signs that your parent’s mental state and physical health are in decline can include:
While many of these can be a part of aging in general, they can also be indicators that your loved one needs additional care.
Changes in behavior
Part of living with memory loss often includes forgetting how to perform basic tasks that have been done for a patient’s entire life. This means that they can forget how to do their hair, drive, or even bathe. If you notice that your parent is showing behavior that’s out of character like an unkempt appearance or refusing to drive, it’s time to start seriously considering memory care.
Increased caregiver stress
It’s not uncommon for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia to receive daily care from family members. Although, there’s going to be a breaking point where someone in the family is no longer able to care for your parent. Whether it’s because their own schedule is too busy, their health begins to decline, or the condition becomes too advanced, there will be a point where Alzheimer's care is required. If your parent is receiving care from another family member, be aware of the stress that the situation is putting on them and your parent.
Social life is gone
Memory loss conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia often cause patients to want to shrink into themselves and not socialize with their friends, neighbors, or family members anymore. Not only is this harmful to their relationships, but it can also make their condition worse and accelerate mental deterioration. Most facilities that offer Alzheimer's and memory care offer programs that will help your parent to socialize with other patients so they can slow the onset of memory loss.
Your instincts say so
Sometimes you have a gut feeling that something needs to be done. You can’t explain it, but there’s something inside of you that says you need to make a decision. When it comes to finding the proper care for an aging parent, there will come a day when your instincts kick in and you’ll feel strongly that they need more care. It’s important that you don’t ignore this instinct because getting memory care for Alzheimer's patients sooner than later is often what’s best for them. It can help to slow the onset of the condition and improve their quality of life in their final years.
Get in touch for help
If you’re not sure whether your parent needs Alzheimer's care in Maricopa County, feel free to get in touch with us today at Sage Medical. You can give us a call at 480-418-6985 or send a message using our online contact form. We can present you with your options for Alzheimer's care for your parent.
