When a parent first starts showing signs that something is wrong, it helps to intervene sooner rather than later. Cognitive changes can be complex, and there is professional support available for parents living with dementia. But how do you tell when it’s time to seek support from a memory care community?
Look for changes in your parent’s behavior and lifestyle. Any significant signs, like constant forgetfulness or a lack of self-care, indicate that something is wrong. Look for any significant physical, behavioral, or personality changes—these are common signs of cognitive decline. If you suspect a parent has dementia, it’s crucial to seek professional care as soon as you can.
What Exactly Is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe cognitive decline. It describes a list of symptoms caused by damaged brain cells. Dementia often causes memory loss, confusion, and behavioral changes that can quickly impair a person’s everyday life. This condition is progressive, and as it develops further, these symptoms worsen.
There are several types of dementia, including:
Each type causes different effects. However, these symptoms disrupt a person’s daily routine and everyday independence. Eventually, dementia worsens to a point where a person needs round-the-clock care.
The Early Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia is more complex than most people think. With early intervention, you can help your loved one maintain their lifestyle and dignity. However, the symptoms are easy to mistake for natural age-related forgetfulness or confusion.
If you’re worried about a parent developing dementia, keep an eye out for:
- Memory loss affecting daily tasks
- Difficulty planning or solving problems
- Confusion about time or place
- Trouble with visual and spatial understanding
- Difficulty with words in speaking or writing
These symptoms can vary, but they’re all early indicators of cognitive decline. The sooner you recognize dementia, the sooner you can seek support. So if you think a parent is developing dementia, what do you do?
What Is Memory Care?
Cognitive decline affects almost every part of a person’s life. It becomes harder to stay independent—especially in the later stages of dementia. Fortunately, there’s an answer: memory care.
Memory care is a special type of senior living. This lifestyle developed around the idea of addressing the unique challenges caused by dementia. Memory care aims to provide a secure environment, access to quality care, and activities tailored toward strengthening and maintaining cognitive abilities.
Memory Care at The Grande
At The Grande at Creve Coeur, our Lilac Trace Memory Care lifestyle is built to treat every person as the unique individual they are. Our philosophy is simple—we know that every person is different, and we want to support them on their journey.
We have 5 key points to our approach:
- We treat every person as an individual
- We respect the history of every resident
- We work side-by-side with residents every day
- We understand how to communicate with others
- We strive to make every single moment special
With a mix of compassion, professional support, and structure, we work to help your loved one maintain their dignity. Our team treats your parent as the person they are and tailors care to meet their needs. Memory care is more than just a place to live—it’s a way of life designed to help.
When to Consider Memory Care for a Parent with Dementia
Memory care offers an incredible way to help a parent with dementia. This lifestyle helps offer everyday support through structure, safety, and security. But how can you tell if a parent needs memory care?
Look for the early signs that they’re beginning to struggle in their everyday life. Some key indicators include:
- Increasing difficulty managing daily tasks
- Wandering or getting lost in familiar places
- Frequent episodes of confusion or disorientation
- Noticeable changes in mood or behavior
- Isolation and withdrawal from social activities
- Decline in physical health or weight changes
These all suggest that your parent needs more support than they currently have. If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to seek support from a memory care community.
Is It Time for Memory Care?
The early signs of dementia may be difficult to catch at first. However, by learning more about this condition and your options, you can step in to help your parent maintain a dignified and supported lifestyle. And our team at The Grande at Creve Coeur is ready to help.If you suspect your parent is experiencing cognitive decline, come talk to our team. We’ll work with you to make an informed decision for your parent. Contact us today for more information, or schedule a visit to see in person how we can help.
