Early decisions may lower dementia-related risks

Making the decision to place a loved one in a memory care community may be the most difficult decision anyone ever has to make.  However, the time may come when a family member may no longer safely manage their care alone or with a caregiver.

Many times, families wait to look at placement options when behaviors such as wandering, aggression and delusions become more than they can handle. When this time comes, it’s important to have done premeditated research so you and your loved have a plan of action.

If initial searching is postponed until a related accident occurs, the placement decision is made under severely stressful situations with a keen sense of urgency. This stress is monumental and affects the primary caregiver and the well-being, safety and happiness of the individual with the disease.

It is imperative that the primary caregiver understands that there will come a point in time they will no longer be capable of providing adequate care for their loved one. This does not make them any less of a caregiver, but simply means they can no longer provide the advanced level of care their loved one may require.

There are many risks in postponing search for outside resources. Waiting for a crisis to occur can leave a caregiver without the knowledge they need to find outside care.

Lisa Anthony

I am the Marketing Director of Arden Courts Memory Care Community in Westlake

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Volume 6, Issue 7, Posted 9:28 AM, 04.01.2014