When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care

Did you know that nearly seven million people in the US are living with Alzheimer’s (according to the Alzheimer’s Association)? At some stage, all these people and their families would benefit from some form of memory care service.

However, a diagnosis doesn’t mean a person has to go straight to memory care. Many people go several years before severe symptoms begin to show.

Knowing when to move from assisted living to memory care can make advanced care planning easier, keep care affordable, and promote as much independence as possible. Keep reading to learn about the signs that signal the time for a memory care transition.

Rapidly Losing Interest in Activities or Hobbies

When someone suddenly or quickly loses interest in something they enjoyed doing, it can be a sign that they need Alzheimer’s or dementia support. The underlying reasons could be:

• Struggling to grasp or remember game rules
• Difficulty maintaining the coordination required for the activity
• Difficulty keeping up with the social pace of an activity
• Becoming overwhelmed by noises

Experiencing these symptoms makes engaging with a task or people frustrating. Also, it doesn’t have to be a group or physical activity. This can happen with things as simple as:

• Watching TV
• Reading
• Going on walks
• Visiting with friends

This isn’t the same as the occasional bout of boredom. As much as assisted living communities try to keep their activity rosters buzzing, it’s not uncommon for residents to feel bored occasionally. People may have been used to thrilling adventures they can no longer have because of their needs or budget.

Increased Irritability, Lethargy, or Aggression

The same Alzheimer’s and dementia symptoms that can make fun activities stressful can have the same effect on other aspects of life. Difficulty with communication can make talking to family frustrating, and problems organizing can make plans feel imposing.

Because of this, people experiencing the underlying symptoms might become lethargic and attempt to disengage from tasks that trouble them. Alternatively, they may also come off as highly irritable or overly aggressive.

A sudden onset of heightened aggression or uncharacteristic lack of drive might signal the need for assisted living changes. Maintaining as much of a resident’s independence as possible is a top priority in a transitional memory care setting. This way, the residents can keep spending quality time with loved ones and doing things they like for as long as possible.

Wandering and Confusion

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, wandering and confusion about surroundings are experienced by around 60% of people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Common signs that this is starting to happen include:

• Returning home from driving or walking later than usual
• Forgetting familiar routes to places
• Trying to get to work after retirement
• Wanting to go home when already at home
• “Doing” a chore without actually accomplishing much
• Increased anxiety in new or crowded locations

This can be a safety risk and is best mitigated in a home that’s prepared for memory care. Some examples of steps people can take to reduce the risk are:

• Structured or guided help with chores
• Reassurance when the person feels anxious or lost
• Near-constant monitoring to ensure their needs are met
• Planning activities for the time of day the wandering most often occurs

In an assisted living environment, caretakers can monitor senior cognitive decline and will be aware of these changes (if they start to occur). This puts the resident and their family in the best position to notice the early warning signs. This can afford them ample time to plan the transition to memory care.

Declining Personal Hygiene and Self Care

Increasing forgetfulness and confusion can cause people with dementia or Alzheimers to forget about personal hygiene. Coordination issues and confusion can also make completing personal grooming tasks difficult.

Declining self-care can have several negative impacts:

• The person experiences prolonged discomfort (e.g., itching)
• Their dignity can be impacted
• Going without proper hygiene can lead to serious medical problems

Declining personal care is one of the most important signs that someone needs to move into a memory care community.

The staff in these communities have special training and protocols to keep residents’ hygiene from slipping. The staff are also equipped to provide more support than in an assisted living environment. For example, explaining why a hygiene task needs to happen at a particular time and helping deal with aggression or confusion.

Forgetfulness Around Their Family’s and Friends’ Histories

Forgetting about friends and family is distressing both for the person suffering from the memory ailment and their loved ones. It’s also a behavior pattern that appears quite late in the Alzheimer’s progression, which means that there’s a high likelihood that your loved one is already showing some of the other behaviors above.

In a memory care community, the staff provides a supportive environment tailored to individuals with Alzheimer’s who begin to forget their family and friends’ histories and identities. The personalized care plans can include things like:

• Gentle reminders
• Reassurance when the resident gets confused
• Structured activities to help with memory

This compassionate approach ensures dignity and comfort even as memory loss progresses.

The Assisted Living Staff Has Voiced Concerns

If your loved one is already in an assisted living space, listening to the concerns that the community’s staff might voice is crucial. Caregivers spend a lot of time around a community’s residents, meaning that they are often in the best position to notice subtle changes.

Listening to an assisted living caregiver’s advice on a memory care transition might be the best way to make the best and earliest move possible. A well-timed move is the best way to ensure your loved one gets the best care for their needs.

Knowing When to Move From Assisted Living to Memory Care

Determining when to move from assisted living to memory care involves carefully observing your loved one’s behavior and fully understanding their evolving needs. At TerraBella Senior Living, we offer excellent communities that cater to all the seniors’ needs expressed in this article:

• Assisted Living
• Memory care
• Transition to memory care

Our staff and communities are capable of helping you and your family go through these difficult processes with grace and dignity. Contact us today to find out how you can give your loved ones a warm, welcoming, and supportive community in Raleigh, NC.