8 Signs It’s Time for Memory Care

There are no specific rules for when someone needs full-time care. A doctor can do tests to determine if their cognitive impairment has gotten worse. If you or your loved one is already in assisted living or a nursing home, staff there may notice signs that they need a higher level of care. Certain changes in their behavior, appearance, and environment can provide clues:

1. They’re not paying their bills. While anyone can forget a payment once in a while, it’s cause for concern if you start getting confused calls wondering why the cable or phone was turned off.
2. They neglect personal hygiene and housekeeping. They may have forgotten how to do household chores or have trouble bathing and dressing themselves.
3. They become unsafe in their current home. They may leave the stove on, trip and fall, or wander off.
4. 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. 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. They withdraw from hobbies and social situations. Research has shown that social isolation worsens dementia symptoms. Most memory centers offer activities and emphasize socialization.
7. You worry about your own safety. Some advanced forms of dementia can lead to aggressive and abusive behaviors.
8. Caregiving has taken a mental and physical toll on you. You’re stressed and exhausted and neglecting your own needs.