Assisted living is an excellent care option for older adults who may need extra help with their daily activities. However, for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, there may come a time when they need more assistance than what assisted living generally provides. This can be due to increased safety concerns and difficulty following a routine.
For those living with a cognitive impairment, assisted living may not always be able to offer the necessary support. Assisted living encourages residents to manage their routines and request help as needed. Those living with dementia may have difficulty managing day-to-day tasks, even with the support of resident assistants. While resident assistants in assisted living may have some dementia experience, they may not have the full training that staff in a dementia-specific neighborhood will have.
For those living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, memory care can feel like the natural progression after assisted living. However, some individuals in the early stages of the disease require an environment that is more active and embraces their strengths. For those needing more cognitive support, a unique program designed for those specifically with early-stage memory loss can be a better fit. Finding the right level of care ensures your loved one has the support they need.
Luckily, some senior living communities in Basking Ridge, NJ, such as Arbor Terrace Basking Ridge, offer a program specifically for those with early-stage cognitive impairment. There’s not always a clear time to transition from assisted living to an early-stage memory care program, but here are a few signs that it’s time to take the next step.
As dementia progresses, individuals experience an increase in confusion and memory loss. This can lead to needing help with personal care tasks, like dressing and bathing. For many in the early stages of dementia, they need reminders to complete activities of daily living rather than hands-on assistance. If you notice that your loved one is struggling to manage their activities of daily living, even with the resident assistants in assisted living, it may be time for the next level of care.
While some may struggle with activities of daily living, others may struggle with decision-making early in the disease process. With so many choices that may need to be made throughout the day, it can be overwhelming for a person living with a mild cognitive impairment. This can lead to individuals making unsafe decisions or not deciding at all.
Safety concerns become more prevalent as dementia progresses. Residents living in traditional assisted living may wander or become lost throughout the building. While a traditional memory care community offers secured exits and entrances 24/7, a program for individuals living with early-stage memory impairments has more flexibility. This security allows residents to maintain their independence with the added peace of mind overnight.
Similar to a traditional memory care neighborhood, an early-stage neighborhood features a senior-friendly design that is easy for individuals with mild cognitive impairment to navigate.
While assisted living communities offer plenty of engagement opportunities, some of these may not be appropriate for someone with dementia. If you or the resident assistants find that your loved one is no longer participating in conversation or group activity, they may benefit from smaller group settings with programs specifically for people living with dementia. In that case, they may benefit from smaller group settings with programs specifically for people living with dementia. Engagement and social programs can be vital in decreasing further cognitive decline.
If you’re noticing changes in your loved one’s cognition, it may be time to consider a higher level of care. Consider conversing with other loved ones and the care team at the assisted living. The care team can provide their perspective on your loved one’s day-to-day life and whether more care is needed now or in the future.
You're not alone if you’re uncertain when the time is right for a higher level of care in a Basking Ridge, NJ, senior living community. Staying aware of your loved one’s cognitive changes and how they impact daily quality of life will help you know when the time is right.
To learn more about care options for your loved one with mild cognitive impairment, download our guide, Where to Turn in the Early Stages of Dementia.