As Dementia Becomes Worse: Transitioning To A Memory Care Facility
The diagnosis of dementia can be overwhelming. As dementia progresses, there becomes a marked inability to take care of one's own needs. While the early stages of dementia can go unnoticed for some time, it becomes easier to recognize that a person has dementia once the disease progresses. Many people live at home with little or no support for several years after a diagnosis of dementia, but in some, the disease progresses more rapidly than others. When dementia symptoms become worse and the individual is no longer safe, it can become necessary to transition them to a memory care facility. This move helps keep your loved one safe while taking the burden off of others in the home.
Know the Transition May Be Difficult
It isn't easy for a person with dementia to understand that they need more care than can be provided in the home. By the time this level of care is needed, the person suffering from dementia often forgets that they have anything wrong in the first place. Know that the transition will take some time and that you are doing the right thing for your loved one.
Skip the Details with Your Loved One
With dementia, it's difficult to process information. While your loved one may have certain items they want to move with them, you don't have to discuss every detail of the move. Each detail may be hard for your loved one to process, so make the move easier by taking care of the details for them.
Know the Facility's Rules before Moving In
When you know what your loved one can bring and what is not allowed, it will be easier to set up their room. Whether you want to bring a favorite chair or you know they want a television in their room, be prepared by knowing what can be brought in. If possible, set up the room much like where they are now so that they can feel the familiarity of having their things around them.
Don't Bring Too Many Things
Figure out what is most important to your loved one by watching their behavior. If they ignore an object all the time, leave it to be packed up and managed later. Try not to clutter their room with too many belongings, as that can make them feel cramped.
Dementia gets worse over time. To keep your loved one safe and comfortable, a transition to a memory care facility can help.
