Your parent, once your champion and caretaker, has become vulnerable with age, and their care now falls to you. When it is time for memory care, there are many emotional and logistical layers to peel back to ensure the best outcomes for the whole family and a safe next step for the senior you love. But, how do you know when is it time for memory care?
 At Buckner Parkway Place, our senior memory care in Houston, TX, can help you figure out which warning signs must not be downplayed at this juncture and whether it is time for your family member to enter memory care. Call us at 281.305.1846 or complete our online form to learn more about signs it is time for memory care.
5 Signs It Is Time for Memory Care
1. Neglecting Tasks
If your loved one can’t recall what time of day it is or whether they ate or took their pills already, they may skip meals, wake in the middle of the night and begin preparing food, become dehydrated, or double up on medication. These kinds of memory lapses directly affect health and well-being, and a change of venue is probably needed.
2. Wandering and Getting LostÂ
Sometimes someone with dementia who still walks or drives independently will lose their way. You may find that your parent has wandered the neighborhood around their house for hours, not sure how to get home. Memory care facilities have protocols and security measures in place to prevent wandering and ensure your loved one does not get lost.
3. Household Safety Issues
Has your aging parent left the stove burners on, forgotten to lock the door, tripped on rugs, or become bruised by sharp corners as they wander the house at night? Any number of accidents can occur in the home if someone is struggling with dementia.
4. Inability to Complete Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
The tasks considered ADLs fall into the normal routine of life, including bathing and personal hygiene, dressing, appropriate use of bathroom facilities, eating, and moving. If your parent cannot manage ADLs on a regular and consistent basis, this is a sign that memory care would be of help.
5. Emergency Room VisitsÂ
Has there been an increase in visits to the ER? Each one may not strike a chord of worry in itself, but the pattern is worrying when taken together. In pre-dementia life, years went by with no ER visits. Now, even though there are a few months between them, maybe there have been a few in one year. Frequent emergency room visits are one of the signs it is time for memory care.
Additional Memory Care Information
Memory care is specifically targeted for seniors with dementia, such as a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Because of the unique needs of people living with dementia, including basic safety such as protection from wandering, falls, and agitation related to confusion and disorientation, a memory care facility will offer specific lines of service and a specially trained staff.
However, senior memory care is not just about safety. You will want to know that your loved one will have access to enrichment, community, and fresh air. You will look for the availability of therapies such as physical, occupational, and other health-focused programs, including healthy dining options and the opportunity to exercise. At Buckner Parkway Place, we prioritize your loved one’s quality of life and overall wellness. In addition to memory care, we provide other care options such as:
Choose Buckner Parkway Place for Memory Care in Houston, TX
For a quality living environment for your loved one with dementia, consider Buckner Parkway Place, one of the Buckner Retirement Services’ luxury sites for seniors. Your parent will be able to live with dignity, connect with others throughout the day, and feel safe and secure with staff who understand the unique needs of those with dementia and understand the signs it is time for memory care. You probably have questions. Reach out to Buckner Parkway Place to get the answers you need. Call 281.305.1846 or fill out our online form. We look forward to hearing from you.