Sometimes, older people often forget small things like taking medications on time or looking for something that is kept right on their desks. There is nothing to worry about with these signs, but when such activities increase frequently, it’s high time you consider seeing a doctor. More significant cognitive decline, like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, takes place over time, and the sooner you take precautions, the slower the decline progresses.
However, we understand that caring for older loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s is overwhelming. Memory care facilities in Maryland play a great role in helping families whose loved ones are diagnosed with memory issues. These facilities are well-structured to help loved ones with various memory-stimulating activities to slow their cognitive decline. However, if you are a family caregiver, here are some tips on caring for your loved ones diagnosed with dementia.
But moving your loved one to dementia care services reflects a major shift in their lifestyle. It is important to take note that the symptoms of dementia can vary from person to person, so not everyone needs memory care facilities in the initial phase. However, if you are a family caregiver and notice frequent signs of memory loss, here are some telltale symptoms that your loved one needs Alzheimer’s care right away.
In this blog, we will cover three points:
- What is memory care?
- Signs that indicate your loved one needs memory care
- How to find dementia care facilities in Maryland?
What is memory care?
Memory care facilities are well-designed to help your loved one with memory issues. The facilities offer long-term specialized care for progressive dementia and help the individual with a set of routines to lower the stress caused as a result of cognitive decline. The social settings at the memory care facilities offer a safe and secure environment to lower the signs of progressive dementia.
Facilities include:
- 24-hour in-house medical staff availability
- Daily meals with sufficient nutrition
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Recreational and group activities
- 24/7 security with safety features
- Family support groups
- Assistance with the activities of daily living
- Fitness centers
- Emergency call support
Signs that Your Loved One Needs Memory Care
In the initial stage of dementia, an individual can carry out their work independently. But as the days go by, there will be several symptoms. This includes unusual behaviors like aggressiveness, withdrawal from social activities, disorientation, difficulty remembering common phrases or words, and many more.
If you have been wondering whether your loved one needs memory care or not, here are some top signs you need to check.
Unusual Change of behavior
Have you recently noticed whether your loved one has been showing severe behavior changes? The progressive cognitive decline makes an individual forget to do daily activities, and you may notice that the person has stopped doing regular routine chores. This includes cleaning rooms, taking out the trash, a lack of personal hygiene, forgetting medical appointments, skipping meals, and so on. An individual with memory issues also withdraws from social activities and gatherings and tends to stay at their own place or keep wandering in a familiar place. All these unusual behaviors result in social isolation.
Drastic Change of Health
As the individual tends to forget to continue their activities of daily living, including skipping meals, you will see a significant weight loss affecting their health. As a result, he or she has difficulty standing or may fall off somewhere due to imbalance. Due to drastic weight loss and poor nutrition, they develop an inability to walk or stand properly. Since dementia affects a significant part of the brain, individuals with dementia face challenges maintaining their hygiene. This exposes them to several infections. Additionally, people diagnosed with dementia are also prone to cardiovascular issues, improper blood circulation, stroke, diabetes, hearing impairment, speech impairment, and much more.
Frequent Memory Loss
Is your loved one able to recognize you? People with memory issues frequently forget recent events and common words. As a result, you will notice your loved one has trouble remembering names, days, birthdates, and much more. Dementia affects the part of the brain that is associated with logic and creativity, the person will no longer be able to remember recent memories and will be unable to recall usual things. As a result, they have difficulty communicating with people. Most people diagnosed with dementia have an infantile speech pattern, so you may have difficulty understanding what they want to say or describe.
Disorientation in Familiar Places
Progressive cognitive decline leads to the damage of brain cells, which has no cure. As a result of continuous cognitive decline, you will notice a significant change in the behavior of your loved one. A person with dementia often wanders into familiar places. You will also notice that they often look disoriented and confused whenever you take them to a new place. However, medications do not aim to cure dementia but rather lessen the symptoms of memory issues over time.
If you notice that your loved one is already experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, it is high time that he or she needs a dementia care facility.
Do You Need Memory Care Facilities Near You?
Taking care of a loved one with dementia is quite challenging, as the decline in cognitive behavior increases with time. Thanks to memory care facilities in Maryland, your loved one is now in the safe hands of trained caregivers. If you have been looking for a memory care facility in your neighborhood and want to find the best one, get in touch with the senior care expert at Senior Care Love. Our care experts are well-trained to provide you with details about the Alzheimer’s care facilities in the area according to your needs.
For more information on Alzheimer’s memory care in Maryland, contact us.
