When it comes to the health and well-being of your loved one, you want to make sure they get the best care possible. One way to do this is by recognizing signs that they might need memory care services in Burlington, NC.
In this post, we will look at some of the most common indications that your loved one may need memory care services so that you can make an informed decision about their future when it comes time. So, keep reading!
Cognitive Decline
Cognitive decline is a loss of memory and other mental abilities. It can be due to aging or Alzheimer’s disease, affecting one or more brain areas. Mild cognitive decline may cause your loved one to struggle with learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and judgment. Moderate dementia may cause your loved one to have problems with communication; they might also exhibit personality changes and have trouble finding words or remembering names. Severe dementia causes your loved one to lose all communication skills; they will not be able to speak at all and may become confused about their identity (for example, thinking that you are a stranger).
Verbal Expression Difficulties
Indications of verbal expression difficulties include difficulty with communication, difficulty understanding what others are saying, difficulty expressing thoughts and feelings, and difficulty expressing needs and wants. For example, your loved one may have trouble forming words or phrases (or their speech is so slow that it’s hard to understand them), they may not be able to express their needs verbally (e.g., they can’t ask for something such as water), they may repeat themselves over and over again when they’re trying to convey something important or forget what they were trying to say entirely (this could also be caused by wandering).
Personality Changes
Personality changes, or changes in personality, are one of the earliest signs of dementia. Personality changes can be subtle or dramatic. They may include a person becoming more irritable or withdrawn, depressed, and even angry.
If you notice that your loved one is exhibiting new behaviors that are different from their usual habits (for example, if they become more forgetful), it’s a good idea to talk with their doctor about whether they should be tested for dementia-related conditions.
Inability To Remember Recent Events
Memory loss can be one of the terrifying symptoms of dementia. It’s also one of the most common, as memory loss is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline. Memory loss doesn’t just mean forgetting where you put your keys or what happened last week—it can include forgetting important things like family members’ names, personal addresses, phone numbers, etc.
The good news is that many things besides dementia cause memory loss. Medications such as antidepressants and heart medications can cause temporary or permanent impairment in memory function; depression may also contribute to this problem by diminishing interest in learning new information (or even participating in the conversation). In addition, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect short-term and long-term recall skills.
If You Recognize These Signs, Seek Memory Care Services
If you recognize any of these signs, it’s a good idea to seek memory care services. If your loved one has dementia, they may need additional assistance with daily activities and maintaining independence.
Locating an ideal senior-friendly independent living community can be overwhelming. Remember that there are many kinds of memory care services available; choose one that will meet your loved one’s needs and keep them safe from harm.
