Several weeks ago, a dear family friend of mine suffered a devastating stroke. For a few days, his family members didn’t know if he would survive this event. Thankfully, he did. Now, he is undergoing the slow recovery process in a nursing home. Since his stroke, his family has been amazing. They visit him daily at the nursing facility. They have even decorated his room in an effort to make him feel like he is at home. If your loved one has recently been admitted to a nursing home, don’t despair. You may be able to help your loved one adjust to this living situation better by being supportive. On this blog, you will discover the ways to make your loved one’s transition to a nursing home easier.
A Home Away from Home
Signs It's Time To Consider Assisted Living For A Parent With Dementia
Johnny Rodriguez
Realizing that your parents are growing older and require help with everyday tasks can be difficult, especially when your parent has been diagnosed with dementia. Not only is it hard to accept that the person who you once relied on for everything now relies on you for everything, but it's difficult to provide everything that your parent may need.
Caring for a parent with dementia can be physically and emotionally taxing and requires a big investment of your time. When caring for a parent with dementia becomes a burden that is difficult for you to bear, it might be time for you to consider a senior assisted living facility.
Not completely sure it's time for assisted living? Here are some surefire signs that indicate your parent needs more help than you can provide; help that he or she can get at an assisted living facility.
Exhibiting Sundown Syndrome
If your parent is getting aggravated and agitated later in the day, he or she is likely suffering from sundown syndrome. This is a classic characteristic of dementia patients. It happens later in the day, around sunset, and is sparked by fading light – and it often gets worse as the night progresses. The symptoms of sundown syndrome include:
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Yelling
- Pacing
- Reacting to thing that aren't there
- Drastic mood swings
Wandering
It is not unusual for dementia patients to wander. They can wander around the inside of the house, and even scarier, they can open the door and wander away from the house.
Wandering can be very scary. The chance of falling and suffering an injury increases, and there's even the possibility that your parent could get lost.
Increased Aggression
Dementia patients often become physically, verbally and even sexually aggressive. If your parent is becoming aggressive with you or anyone else, it's time to seriously consider placing him or her in an assisted living facility.
Safety Issues
If the safety of your parent has become a concern, it's time to think about placing him or her in assisted living. Knives could become weapons, stoves can be left on and cause fire, bathtubs are slick and can be hazardous. If you are concerned about your parent's safety in the house, living in an assisted living facility will be far more beneficial for him or her.
You're Stressed
Though you love your parent and want to care for him or her yourself, the task can become extremely stressful. When you start to feel stressed out as a result of your parent's needs, your ability to provide proper care is compromised.
For more information about senior assisted living, contact Alpine Manor Home For Adults or a similar location.
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