When to Consider a Memory Care Community


A Place for Mom’s website explains how many people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can live independently with or without the help of in-home caregivers or family members. However, they also stress there may come a time when the disease progresses to a stage where the person’s safety and physical well-being is in jeopardy and more care is needed.

As a person with Alzheimer’s may have good days and bad, it can be hard to tell if they would be better served in a memory care community. Experts say signs include: has their appearance changed? Do they look unkempt and have they lost weight due to forgetting to eat? Do they appear agitated and confused? Are they unable to carry on a conversation?

Your loved one’s healthcare provider can help you decide if it is time for memory care. Dr. Philip Branshaw, an internal medicine specialist in Batavia, Illinois, says, “When talking about memory care, or some form of a different living arrangement, I’ll center the talk around their ability to perform the activities of daily living and safety.”

A Place for Mom says to gauge a senior’s abilities and safety, your doctor may ask if they:

  • Get lost on routes they take frequently, such as going to the grocery store or taking a walk around the neighborhood
  • Have trouble remembering to eat or drink
  • Are forgetting to take their medication appropriately
  • Are struggling to bathe regularly or get dressed as usual
  • Had a fall or been to the emergency room recently
  • Leave the stove on after preparing food
Along with assisted living, Colorado Springs’ MorningStar at Mountain Shadows provides compassionate memory care for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Our holistic approach to care is designed to affirm the value of the person and to find ways to celebrate the smallest successes. Beginning with dedicated caregivers to activities, programs and meals tailored to our residents’ special needs, we bring a deep understanding of the disease to our care. Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Colorado Springs offers.

Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/is-it-time-for-memory-care

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