Assisted living can provide the right balance of independence and support for many seniors. From help with daily tasks to medication management, having helpful caregivers closeby gives everyone peace of mind.
From some seniors, this stage of their aging journey is simply a chapter. Assisted living only provides a certain level of care and sometimes cognitive or physical decline requires more intensive caregiving arrangements.
Dedicated memory care communities provide tailored assistance to seniors living with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. However, sometimes these communities don’t offer enough independence for those living with the beginning stages of cognitive decline.
The Bridges neighborhood was uniquely created to fulfill this need: to give seniors both freedom and specialized care to keep them safe, happy, and healthy.
But how do you know if your loved one really needs more advanced senior care? Here are five of the most common signs that it may be time to move your loved one to a Suwanee, GA Bridges neighborhood.
1. Frequently Becoming Disoriented
If your loved one is starting to forget where they are or why they are in a specific place more frequently, this could be a sign that they need more specialized care. Getting lost going to or from familiar places, like the grocery store or even within their apartment complex, is also cause for concern.
Although it is frustrating to forget these things, it can also become incredibly unsafe. If they become lost in public or while driving it will be increasingly difficult for them to find directions or contact someone for help.
2. Struggling to Eat Consistently
Grocery shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up can be a lengthy, complex process. It may seem even more overwhelming to someone living with dementia. Sometimes skipping a meal seems more convenient than trying to cook or meeting with a large group of people in a shared dining room.
Many assisted living neighborhoods cook delicious, nutritious meals for their residents, but this may not fulfill everyone’s specific schedule or portion preferences. They also may not have readily available adaptations for those who begin struggling to feed themselves independently, have substantial dietary restrictions, or want a quieter dining experience.
3. Becoming More Disorganized and Forgetful
Whether they are often misplacing their glasses or can’t find their favorite watch that always rests on their nightstand, not being able to find common or important objects can be frustrating. At times, it can also be dangerous if something imperative like medication or keys are involved. Even leaving the oven on for longer than intended or forgetting to lock the door can become a safety risk if there is no one to continuously monitor your loved one’s environment.
Similarly, some seniors living with the early stages of dementia may forget how to use common household objects like the television remote. Other household tasks like balancing a budget or paying bills can become overwhelming when cognitive function is not the same as years prior. Something that once seemed simple and straightforward now takes an immense amount of cognitive effort, which can leave them feeling discouraged or agitated.
4. Displaying Noticeable Personality Changes
Sometimes cognitive decline brings out the more easily irritated or aggressive side of typically peaceful and patient people. This can make it challenging for them to interact with others or self regulate.
Although this is an unfortunate reality, it is more manageable when they are surrounded by a community who understands and caregivers trained in best practices specifically for those living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
5. Decreasing Social Interactions
This could be caused by many factors such as nervousness about the inability to articulate their thoughts quickly or accurately, feeling overwhelmed at the idea of going out, or not having the patience to deal with interpersonal interaction. They also may feel embarrassed, realizing that they are not quite who they used to be and worried that others won’t accept or enjoy them in the same way.
Even if they are happily anticipating an event, they may simply miss something on the schedule because they did not remember it was happening. Whatever the reason, missing out on social interactions can negatively affect cognitive function and social-emotional well-being.
It is essential that seniors living with dementia find a place where they can feel comfortable being social because research agrees that maintaining healthy relationships as we age has many positive effects.
If you have noticed one or more of these signs developing in your loved one, then it is likely time to consider more advanced senior care like the Suwanee, GA Bridges neighborhood at Arbor Terrace South Forsyth.
To better support you, we’ve created a complete guide to the Bridges neighborhood. Here, you’ll find in depth explanations and answers so you can clearly weigh your options and choose what’s best with confidence. Click here to download your free guide, Where to Turn In the Early Stages of Dementia, now.
