When is staying at home no longer safe?

No one doubts the impact Alzheimer’s disease and similar memory-related illnesses have on older people—and their families.

One of the key issues families face is safety.

Not only do memory-related illnesses make it more difficult for older adults to make safe decisions, but they also can make living alone increasingly difficult. Many times, seniors need a family member to care for them, or families may need to hire someone to ensure their loved one is safe, their needs are being met and they are living the best life possible.

Unfortunately, older adults with dementia may no longer be able to live alone after a time. If you have a loved one currently living at home and you find yourself wondering if that arrangement is still safe or when it may be time to plan a move to a memory-care community, here are signs that may help you in determining a plan:

● A loved one is becoming increasingly depressed, agitated and aggressive. Dementia can cause loved ones to act out, feel isolated and even be suspicious of others. In such cases, it may be time to consult a professional about a move. Those who work in senior living communities are trained to deal with this situation, calm behaviors and tailor programming, socialization and more to meet specific needs.

● Wandering is beginning to occur more frequently. Those with memory-related illnesses can tend to forget where they are, wander or try to find a place that’s less noisy, crowded and more comfortable.

Click here to read more about the signs to look for to determine if it’s time to plan a move to a memory-care community.