Your dad has Alzheimer’s disease. As his family caregiver, you’ve been helping out as much as possible, but it’s clear you’re over your head. You’re busy at work, and you still have children at home. Your dad’s needs increase weekly, and it’s starting to become overwhelming.
It’s an excellent time to sit down with others in the family to discuss what happens next. Do your siblings help out? Are they feeling just as stressed? Where is your dad in terms of the progression?
Understand the Typical Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Here’s the issue. No two cases of Alzheimer’s disease are the same. One person may live with Alzheimer’s for 15 or 20 years, while another makes it to an average of 8 to 10.
Sometimes, extreme rage and aggression become part of the experience, while others become extra caring and loving. Many adults with Alzheimer’s start to wander from their homes, but others never wander.
Your dad will be okay on his own for the early stages, but as the months and years pass, his need for help will increase. A good time to look into memory care homes is when your dad can no longer cook meals on his own, drive a car, or go for a walk outside without supervision.
What Steps Do You Take When a Care Home Is Best?
Decide what area is most convenient for your family. Many memory care homes have waitlists. You may not get immediate placement for your dad, but that does vary—Tour homes in areas you’ve marked and see what you think.
When is the right time to consider the benefits memory care offers? It’s not the same for everyone. You must sit down and ask your family about your dad’s habits, temperament, and needs. Plus, it would help if you considered how well he adjusts to new situations.
If the care home has restricted tours, for now, ask if there is a virtual tour you can access. Ask to see a weekly menu and monthly activities calendar. If the care home has a social media page on Facebook, look at the photos and posts to get a feel for what a typical day is like.
When moving your dad into a care home, what’s important to remember is that he may not want to cooperate. He’s going to be frightened, uncertain, and may lash out. You must remember that the aides and nurses in memory care are trained in all aspects of dementia care.
Rely on them for help. If your dad is resistant to moving, you might need to walk out, even if he’s begging you not to. Let them help him with the adjustment. Before long, you’ll find when you visit that he’s happily engaged with his new neighbors, enjoying hearty meals, plenty of social opportunities, and surrounded by staff who offer 24-hour supervision and support.
Talk to a specialist in memory care about your dad’s health. Ideally, arrange to move him into a residential care home before his dementia progresses too far. It gives him time to remember meeting new people and adjusting to a new setting.
If you or an aging loved one is considering moving to Memory Care in Lewes, DE, please contact the caring staff at Silver Assist Care Homes today at (302) 772-4482.
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