As children, most people rely on their parents to remember appointments, practices, and even where they left their sneakers or backpacks. However, as parents grow older, the roles may reverse. This change can be disconcerting in the best of times, but if a parent has dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, a senior memory care program may be the best option. Unfortunately, many adult children do not know when to start seeking memory care for parents.
At Parkway Place, we are here for you and your family as you make this difficult decision. To explore your options further, please reach out to our caring team today at 281.305.1846.
What Is Memory Care for Parents?
Memory care is a senior living option that is tailored to the unique needs of those who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The team at these programs can provide quality care in a safe and secure setting. Within this setting, seniors have their own suite, giving them the privacy they desire. At the same time, they don’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or even planning their day-to-day activities. These details are seen to by expert staff who are specifically trained to support their needs.
Signs That Your Parent Needs Memory Care
A parent’s cognitive decline may not be immediately apparent, so it is critical to keep a watchful eye out for the signs that they need additional support.
Your Parent Forgets to Perform Routine Tasks
It’s normal to forget to pay a bill or dust the mantle from time to time, especially if someone has an active lifestyle. However, if the parent has forgotten to pay multiple bills or is letting household chores fall to the wayside regularly, there may be a larger issue at hand.
Their Current Living Situation Has Become Unsafe
At the end of the day, most adult children want to make sure that their parent is safe, but cognitive issues can lead to a variety of health hazards, such as:
- Walking away from a lit stove and forgetting about it
- Not taking medications or taking too much of the medication
- Wandering away from the house and forgetting how to get home
- Not making regular appointments with their doctor
- Habitually forgetting to eat
If these actions happen once or twice, it may not be an issue, but if they occur multiple times over a short period of time, it may be time to get help.
They Can’t Keep Track of Time
If the parent is in the early stages of dementia, they may forget the date or day of the week. As the disease progresses, these lapses can become more serious. They may forget what season they’re in or even what year it is. This can be very confusing for them, and, perhaps, even scary.
You Need Help Caring for Your Parent
Knowing that a parent isn’t safe in their home can be overwhelming, but trying to deal with the problem alone may not be feasible. Even if the child could be with them around the clock, the parent can struggle with activities of daily living. Some adult children get so focused on trying to keep their parents safe and happy that they neglect their own mental or physical health to take care of them. In the long run, a senior memory care program may be a better option.
Discover Memory Care for Parents at Parkway Place
If you’re concerned that your parent may have Alzheimer’s or dementia, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Reach out to our caring and compassionate team today at 281.305.1846 or use our convenient online form to discuss memory care options for your parent. We can help you navigate your next steps and find the best care solution for your loved ones.