Aging • Caregiving • Dementia Dementia Warning Signs

When You Might Consider Dementia Home Care Near You

There are early warning signs of memory-related disease (Alzheimer’s, Dementia, etc.) to watch out for that can provide clues on whether a loved one needs a medical diagnosis.  When dementia or memory issues are involved, the signs can sneak up on families. Unlike a catastrophic event such as a stroke, memory issues and dementia build slowly over time and may not be immediately noticeable.  These early clues can influence the decision to search for a local dementia specialist or dementia home care provider near you.

“We tell families to trust their guts. If something seems off – such as lapses in short-term memory or changes in their personal hygiene – it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a doctor,” said Lori Fitzgerald, vice president, senior housing partnerships at HouseWorks HomeCare. “We also encourage families to discuss their loved ones’ wishes for care in the event they’re no longer able to care for themselves, so families don’t feel caught off guard or rushed into making a decision.”

Clues It Might be Time for In-Home Memory Care

WebMD says the following changes in their behavior, appearance, and environment can provide clues a loved one may need in-home memory care.

1. Unpaid bills. They’re not paying their bills. While anyone can forget a payment occasionally, it’s cause for concern if you start getting calls wondering why the cable or phone was turned off.
2. Untidy and unkept. They neglect personal hygiene and housekeeping. They may have forgotten how to do household chores or have trouble bathing and dressing.
3. Unsafe behaviors. They become unsafe in their current home. They may leave the stove on, trip and fall, or wander off.
4. Can’t care for themselves. They no longer take good care of their health. They may forget their medication or take too much of it. They don’t make doctor’s appointments. They skip meals.
5. Forgetfulness. They lose track of the passage of time. In early dementia, they might forget the date and then remember it later. But forgetting the year or season is cause for concern.
6. Withdrawing from life.They withdraw from hobbies and social situations. Research has shown that social isolation worsens dementia symptoms.
7. Feeling unsafe. You worry about your own safety. Some advanced forms of dementia can lead to aggressive and abusive behaviors.
8. Toll on family. Caregiving has taken a mental and physical toll on you. You’re stressed, exhausted and neglecting your own needs.

Get Checked for Dementia

“If you notice one or more signs in yourself or another person, it can be difficult to know what to do. It’s natural to feel uncertain or nervous about discussing these changes with others,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association. “You may fear upsetting someone by sharing observations about changes in his or her abilities or behavior. However, these are significant health concerns that should be evaluated by a doctor, and it’s important to take action to figure out what’s going on.” 

Should My Loved One Be in Memory Care?

When considering whether it’s time for a loved one have in-home memory care, here are some questions to consider, according to an article in U.S. News:

• Is it safe for the person to continue living in his or her current environment without assistance?
• Is the person’s behavior likely to cause harm to others?
• What does this person want, need and say about their situation?
• What do medical professionals and other family members suggest?
• Are there resources and support systems, like HouseWorks, which can help the person to continue to “age in place?”

Right now, there are no cures for Alzheimer’s, but several treatments have been recently approved by the Food & Drug Administration.

If your loved ones might be ready for in-home memory care, contact HouseWorks for Dementia Home Care Near You.  We are available 24/7. Call us at 617-928-1010, or request information on our website and we’ll be happy to answer your questions about our in-home memory care services.

Don’t delay – if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms – contact us to find out how we might help you.