10 Signs It’s Time to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care
CarePatrol - Colorado Springs
For more information about the author, click to view their website: CarePatrol - Colorado Springs
Nov 14, 2024
Colorado - Colorado Springs
For many older adults, senior living communities provide a supportive environment that offers social activities and mental stimulation, with just the right amount of support for health and safety.
While independent living or assisted living are good options for most seniors, those struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia may eventually need a higher level of care. This means that at some point, you may face the question of when to move from assisted living to memory care.
Memory care facilities offer dementia patients more specialized care with staff trained in memory loss. They have therapies, activities, and programs that specifically support the needs of someone who is losing their cognitive abilities. They also have staff trained to support seniors as they deal with the realities of dementia.
By making the transition from assisted living to memory care, family members get peace of mind that their loved ones are well cared for, supported, and safe. In addition, a memory care community and staff that understand dementia may be able to slow the cognitive decline of an elderly loved one, which is another perk.
So, how do you know when it is time to make that transition from assisted living to memory care?
10 Signs It’s Time to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care
1. Personal Hygiene Is Starting to Suffer Due to Dementia Symptoms
Dementia can make it hard for older adults to remember basic personal hygiene, but these tasks are essential to a loved one’s health and dignity.
Poor personal hygiene can lead to serious medical conditions and hurt your loved one’s dignity. In the right memory care community, staff are trained to ensure the seniors under their care are taking care of these vital daily living tasks. Staff can also provide more support for these tasks than is possible in an assisted living community.
2. A Senior Has Started to Wander
The Alzheimer’s Association warns that it is highly common for people with memory difficulties to wander, with six out of every ten people with dementia getting lost or confused because they cannot remember where they are or do not recognize their surroundings.
Wandering is a serious safety concern, particularly if the older adult wanders outside of the assisted living community or regularly seeks an exit.
Memory care facilities offer a safe, secure environment with flowing floor plans that naturally direct residents back to communal areas or their rooms. This design allows residents to have independence within the community without the safety concerns associated with wandering; They also have safety features such as door alarms or alert systems that prevent dangerous exits.
3. Your Loved One Is Not Taking Their Medications
Medication management is one of the care services offered in a memory care community. Staff will assist with organizing and administering medications to ensure your loved one is taking the right amount at the right time.
While many assisted living communities also offer this service, memory care staff are specially trained to manage medication for residents with memory loss and have stringent protocols in place to ensure all medication is taken as prescribed.
4. Your Loved One’s Social Life Is Suffering
Lack of interest in hobbies or socializing are common symptoms that get worse as dementia progresses. One of the benefits of assisted living and memory care facilities is the social activities they provide.
However, seniors with dementia may have difficulty socializing without the support of memory care-trained staff. Staff members choose appropriate activities to support seniors with memory care and gently encourage them to participate with others. Families often find that their loved one feels less isolated and lonely once they make this move.
5. You Notice Unexpected Health Changes
Health changes, such as weight loss or unexplained injuries, in addition to memory problems, can indicate it is time to change your senior’s living environment. Sometimes, seniors with memory loss forget to eat or struggle to eat enough in a community dining room.
Memory care facilities have special dining plans and schedules that reduce distractions and ensure residents get sufficient nutrition. Making the switch from assisted living to memory care can mean additional support to avoid these types of health concerns.
6. Your Loved One’s Behavior Changes
Behavior changes, such as increased aggression or negative mental health symptoms, can be because of a poor amount of support for memory care. Staff in memory care units have more training to support the emotional and mental health of their residents than those in other senior living communities, like assisted living or independent living. Team members are also trained to deal with the problematic behaviors that come with increased confusion in the later stages of dementia.
7. Assisted Living Facility Activities Are Hard
Assisted living facilities often have activities for seniors to choose to participate in. However, dementia can make it difficult for them to take advantage of these events. In a memory care community, social activities are woven into the daily schedule that everyone participates in, increasing the likelihood that your loved one will participate.
8. You’re Feeling Increased Stress
While this is not as cut-and-dried, if you feel like you need to regularly check on your loved one to ensure they are getting the right support, and you worry that caregivers are not well-versed in memory loss issues, then it is probably time to make the switch to memory care. Many families find that making the change helps to reduce stress as their loved one has the right care and support.
9. Your Loved One’s Cognitive Needs Are Not Met
All seniors need mental stimulation to thrive but assisted living facilities may not have the right activities to meet the cognitive needs of seniors with dementia. To begin, planned activities may be difficult for a senior with memory loss. Also, the other residents may have conversations that your loved one can no longer follow.
This change can lead to isolation and worsening mental health. To support your loved one’s needs, memory care communities have activities designed to meet the cognitive needs of their residents, with an understanding of changing needs as dementia progresses.
10. Assisted Living Staff Are Voicing Concerns
One of the most obvious signs that it is time to make the switch to a memory care community is when your loved one’s assisted living community staff members are stating their concerns.
Often, caregivers who interact with your loved one daily more clearly see the subtle changes as dementia progresses. If staff are asking you to consider making the change, then it is time to start looking for the right senior living community to assist your loved one with their memory care needs.
Making a Seamless Transition from Assisted Living to Memory Care
If the signs are pointing to making a switch from your loved one’s assisted living community to a memory care community, there are some steps you can take to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Follow All Legal Requirements
There are many legal requirements necessary to transition from assisted living to memory care. Each state is different, so talk to the assisted living community to learn what is required in your state.
To transition to memory care, you may need a doctor’s evaluation or specific state forms. You will also need your loved one’s legal representative to agree to the change, so it helps if all family members are on board with the move.
Start conversations with the assisted living facility’s staff to learn of these requirements so you are ready to make the transition to memory care when it is a necessity.
Consider a Continuing Care Community
If your loved one is in a community that offers multiple levels of care, then making the switch may mean nothing more than moving to a new apartment or care level within the same community.
If you anticipate transitioning from assisted living to memory care later, consider choosing a continuing care community when choosing senior care options.
Get the Staff on Board
Work with the staff at the assisted living and memory care communities to help with this transition. They can give you insight into what might make it easier for your loved one.
Keep It Familiar
If possible, bring familiar items from the assisted living community to the memory care community. For example, if your loved one can have the same decor in both spaces or if you can set up the layout to be similar, they will feel more at home in the new community.
Maintain Relationships if Possible
If your loved one has specific relationships that are helping them with their mental health, then look for ways to maintain those relationships. Planning visits with friends from your loved one’s community or relatives they feel close can keep those familiar faces in the senior’s life.
Memory care communities provide peace of mind to families of seniors with dementia and other memory concerns. With the right safety protocols and staff training, they provide a high quality of life with less stress and risk. If your loved one is starting to show signs of cognitive decline, now is the time to start discussing making the transition from assisted living to memory care.
Get Memory Care Assistance from CarePatrol
If you think it’s time to transition a loved one from assisted living to memory care, CarePatrol senior care advisors at CarePatrol are here to help.
At no cost to you, our local senior advisors review your needs and the services of the memory care communities in the area to pair you with the right option for your family. We vet every community in our network to ensure that we can recommend the right options for you. By taking you on tours of the communities, your questions will be answered. Reach out to a CarePatrol Local Senior Care Advisor today and let us help you.
- To view the original version of this article visit carepatrol.com/blog/when-to-move-from-assisted-living-to-memory-care/
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
Other Articles You May Like
When Going Home Isnt the Next Step: Guide for Monmouth & Ocean Cty
When Going Home Isnt the Next Step: A Guide for Monmouth & Ocean County FamiliesWhen an older loved one needs more support, families in Monmouth and Ocean Counties often find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory. A hospital discharge may lead to rehabilitation. A fall may reveal that living alone is no longer safe. Or a family caregiver may realize that managing medications, meals, personal care, and medical appointments has become too much to handle alone.The good news is that senior care isn't one-size-fits-all. Depending on a person's needs, there are options ranging from short-term rehabilitation to assisted living and long-term skilled nursing care.For families across the Jersey Shore, Complete Care provides a continuum of senior care services through multiple communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, including locations in Holmdel, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Wall, Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Brick.Understanding the Right Level of CareOne of the most important steps in choosing senior care is understanding what type of support a loved one actually needs.Post-Acute RehabilitationAfter a hospitalization, surgery, stroke, illness, or injury, an older adult may not be ready to return home immediately. Post-acute rehabilitation provides a bridge between the hospital and home, helping individuals regain strength, mobility, and independence.Depending on the location and individual needs, Complete Care provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy along with nursing and clinical support.For families in Toms River, Brick, Wall, and surrounding communities, having rehabilitation options nearby can make it easier for family members to remain involved during recovery.Skilled NursingSome individuals need more than therapy. Skilled nursing may be appropriate for people who require ongoing medical monitoring, wound care, medication management, chronic disease management, or other specialized clinical services.Complete Care communities offer a variety of clinical programs, with services differing by location. These may include orthopedic and postsurgical care, cardiac care, wound care, neurological and stroke care, pulmonary care, and memory care.When comparing skilled nursing communities, families should ask specifically about the clinical services available at each location.Assisted LivingAssisted living can be a good option for older adults who need help with daily activities but still want to maintain as much independence as possible.Support may include assistance with bathing, dressing, medications, meals, and other everyday routines, along with opportunities for social engagement and activities.For families in Holmdel, Middletown, Red Bank, Freehold, and neighboring Monmouth County communities, assisted living can offer an alternative to managing increasing care needs at home.Long-Term CareFor some seniors, rehabilitation is only one step in a longer care journey. Chronic illness, cognitive impairment, disability, or increasing difficulty with daily activities may eventually require ongoing nursing support.Long-term care provides assistance around the clock while also addressing the social and emotional needs that contribute to quality of life.A Local Presence MattersFor families choosing senior care, location can be an important consideration.Being close to home makes it easier for spouses, children, grandchildren, and friends to visit regularly and remain involved in care. That's particularly meaningful in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, where families may live in neighboring communities but still want their loved one to remain close to their established support system.Complete Care has a broad local presence, with communities serving residents throughout the region. Its Monmouth County locations include communities in Holmdel, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Wall Township, and Shrewsbury. Ocean County options include multiple communities in Toms River and Brick Township.Because services vary by location, families should contact the individual community to determine which level of care and specialized programs are available.What Should Families Look For?Whether you're looking for assisted living in Monmouth County, skilled nursing in Ocean County, or rehabilitation following a hospital stay, consider more than just the building.Ask: What level of care does my loved one need today? What happens if their needs change? What rehabilitation and therapy services are available? Does the community offer specialized clinical care? How involved can family members be in the care plan? What activities and social opportunities are available? How close is the community to family? And whenever possible, visit in person.Notice how staff interact with residents. Ask questions. Talk with the admissions and care teams. Pay attention to whether residents appear engaged and comfortable.These observations can help families understand what daily life may actually feel like for their loved one.Planning Before a CrisisMany families begin researching senior care only after a crisisa fall, hospitalization, diagnosis, or caregiver burnout.Planning ahead can provide more choices and less pressure.Even if your loved one isn't ready for assisted living or long-term care today, learning about senior care communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties can help your family understand what resources are available if circumstances change.Having these conversations early also gives older adults an opportunity to participate in decisions about their own future.Complete Care in Monmouth & Ocean CountiesFor families looking for assisted living, post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or long-term care in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Complete Care offers multiple local communities and a range of care services.The right choice will depend on your loved one's medical needs, level of independence, preferences, and family circumstances. Taking the time to understand those needsand exploring local options before a crisis occurscan make the process easier for everyone.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat types of care does Complete Care provide?Complete Care offers assisted living, post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and long-term care. Specific services and clinical programs vary by location.Where does Complete Care serve Monmouth County?Complete Care has communities in areas including Holmdel, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Wall Township, and Shrewsbury.Where does Complete Care serve Ocean County?Complete Care has multiple communities in Toms River and Brick Township, among other nearby locations.What is post-acute rehabilitation?Post-acute rehabilitation helps individuals recover after hospitalization, surgery, illness, or injury. Therapy and nursing services are designed to help patients regain function and return home safely when possible.If you're researching senior care options in Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ, visit Complete Care's Seniors Blue Book listing for more information about available services and local care options.
Adult Day Care vs. Assisted Living vs. In-Home Care: Which Fits?
When an aging parent or spouse needs more help, families face a confusing set of choices. Should Mom move to assisted living? Should you hire a caregiver to come to the house? Or is adult day care the answer? Each option has real strengths, and the right choice depends on your loved one's needs, your family's schedule, and your budget.Here's a straightforward comparison to help you think it through.In-Home CareIn-home care brings a paid caregiver into your loved one's home for a set number of hours to help with bathing, meals, companionship, and household tasks.Best for: Seniors who need one-on-one help and do best in their own home, or who have difficulty leaving the house.Keep in mind: Costs rise quickly as hours increase, and one-on-one care at home doesn't always solve loneliness or provide much social stimulation.Assisted Living and Memory CareAssisted living and memory care communities are residential. Your loved one moves in and receives meals, care, and activities around the clock.Best for: Seniors who need support at night or around the clock, or whose care needs have outgrown what the family can safely provide at home.Keep in mind: It's the most significant life change of the three and usually the most expensive. Many seniors, especially those with dementia, find leaving home very difficult.Adult Day CareAdult day care provides supervision, activities, meals, and health support during the day at a center. Your loved one comes home each evening.Best for: Seniors who shouldn't be alone during the day, including those with dementia, who still live at home with family, and caregivers who work or need regular breaks.Keep in mind: It covers daytime hours only, so families still provide evening and overnight care.Why Many Families Start with Adult Day CareFor many families, adult day care is the middle path. It keeps a loved one in familiar surroundings at night while giving them structure, friendship, and professional support during the day. It also gives caregivers the break they need to keep going, which often allows families to delay or avoid a move to residential care.Adult day care and in-home care can also work together. Some families use adult day care three days a week and a few hours of in-home help on the other days.A Different Kind of Adult Day CareSome families picture adult day care as a room with a TV and a few board games. Town Square University Parkway in Sarasota is designed to change that picture. The center is a nostalgic, mid-century town square with 15 themed storefronts, and its daily rate includes meals, snacks, activities, medication management, and nursing oversight.Members can also access primary care, psychiatric care, therapy, lab work, mobile x-rays, showering, and grooming services on-site, which brings many of the benefits people look for in assisted living into a day program, while your loved one still sleeps in their own bed.Questions to Help You DecideIs your loved one safe alone at night? If not, residential care may be needed.Is loneliness or lack of stimulation part of the problem? Adult day care offers built-in social connection.Do you, the caregiver, need predictable time for work or rest?What does your budget allow over the next year or more?Talk It ThroughYou don't have to decide alone. Town Square University Parkway offers free assessments that can help clarify your loved one's needs, whatever you ultimately choose. Families in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and across Manatee County are welcome to call or schedule a tour.About Town Square University ParkwayTown Square University Parkway is an adult day center serving families in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and throughout Manatee County. It offers a nostalgic setting, purposeful programming, nursing oversight, on-site medical services, and free caregiver support. Call today to schedule a tour or a free assessment.Town Square University Parkway8450 Lockwood Ridge Road, Unit 55, Sarasota, FL 34243Phone: 941-277-5048Web: seniorsbluebook.com/senior-resources/town-square-university-parkway
Senior Relocation in Monmouth & Ocean: More Than Finding a House
Senior Relocation in Monmouth & Ocean Counties: Why Moving Is About More Than Finding a HousePicture two homes.The first has the perfect number of bedrooms, a beautiful kitchen and a price that fits the budget.The second is slightly smaller but is closer to family, restaurants, healthcare, shopping and the activities the homeowner enjoys.Which one is actually the better home?For a senior relocation, the answer often depends on what happens outside the front door.That is why choosing a new home later in life should be about more than bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.It should be about lifestyle.A Home Is Part of a Larger CommunityFor many older adults, the neighborhood becomes increasingly important.A senior may want to be close to a favorite restaurant in Red Bank, family in Middletown, the beaches along the Jersey Shore, golf courses, shopping or community activities.Someone else may want a quiet neighborhood where they can spend more time at home.The right choice is personal.Monica Reddin's professional background and local market experience give her an understanding of the communities that make up Monmouth and Ocean Counties and the surrounding Central Jersey area.Think About the Next Five to Ten YearsA common mistake is choosing a home based exclusively on what works today.Instead, consider what may matter several years from now.That does not mean assuming something will go wrong.It means choosing flexibility.Ask: Is there a first-floor bedroom? Are the bathrooms convenient? Is there excessive maintenance? Are there stairs? Is the home easy to enter and exit? Is shopping nearby? Is family reasonably close? Is there access to transportation? Can the homeowner remain socially connected? These considerations can make a home more adaptable.The Importance of Right-SizingSome homeowners do not need a dramatically smaller house.They simply need a better-fitting house.That is the idea behind right-sizing.Maybe the homeowner wants: A smaller yard Fewer stairs Less exterior maintenance A garage A first-floor primary suite A manageable condominium An active-adult community A home closer to family A home closer to healthcare and shopping The goal is to match the property to the lifestyle.Why Local Knowledge MattersOnline real-estate searches can show properties, but they do not always explain what daily life feels like in a particular location.Local expertise matters.A REALTOR who works across Monmouth and Ocean Counties can help buyers understand differences among communities and neighborhoods.For example, a buyer considering Middletown may have very different priorities from someone looking in Toms River or Howell.Even neighboring communities can have different housing stock, commuting patterns, amenities and lifestyle characteristics.Moving to a New Community Can Be ExcitingRelocation is sometimes portrayed only as a difficult transition.But a move can also open the door to new experiences.A smaller home can mean less maintenance.A 55+ community can provide new social opportunities.Moving closer to family can mean more spontaneous dinners and visits with grandchildren.Relocating near the Shore can make it easier to enjoy favorite Jersey Shore destinations.A move can also provide an opportunity to finally choose a location based on how you want to live rather than where you needed to live decades earlier.What Should Buyers Look For During a Home Tour?Don't simply walk through the rooms.Imagine living there.Stand in the kitchen and picture making breakfast.Walk from the bedroom to the bathroom.Consider where groceries would be unloaded.Look at the stairs.Open cabinets.Check lighting.Think about where guests would sit.Then step outside.How easy is it to get to the car?How busy is the street?What is nearby?Would you feel comfortable walking?This type of practical evaluation can reveal things that photographs never show.Make the Move About the PersonSenior relocation works best when the older adult remains at the center of the process.Family members may have opinions.Adult children may have concerns.Professionals may provide advice.But the senior's goals should remain an important part of the conversation whenever possible.Monica's approach emphasizes that personal dimension.Family and community mean everything to me, and I bring that same care to real estate.What Makes a Senior Relocation Specialist Different?A senior-focused REALTOR understands that the transaction may involve more than buying or selling property.It can involve: Downsizing Decluttering Timing the sale and purchase Relocating closer to family Comparing 55+ communities Planning for lower maintenance Coordinating with other professionals Transitioning from a longtime home Evaluating a new community Monica holds the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation, reflecting specialized education focused on the needs of older adults in real estate.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is senior relocation?Senior relocation is the process of helping an older adult transition from one home or community to another while considering real-estate, lifestyle, timing and practical needs.Why should seniors work with a senior-focused REALTOR?A senior-focused REALTOR can bring specialized knowledge to situations involving downsizing, 55+ communities, relocation closer to family and later-life housing transitions.What areas does Monica Reddin serve?Monica's professional profiles identify Monmouth and Ocean Counties along with other Central Jersey communities.Is moving to a 55+ community the only option for seniors?No. Seniors may choose a condominium, townhouse, smaller single-family home, active-adult community or another housing option depending on their goals.What should I do first if I am considering a senior move?Start with a conversation about lifestyle. Identify what is working, what is becoming difficult and what you want the next chapter to look like before focusing on individual properties.Learn MorePlanning a senior relocation in Monmouth, Ocean or surrounding Central Jersey communities? Visit Monica Reddin's Seniors Blue Book Listing: Homepage - MonicaReddin
Local Services By This Author
CarePatrol
Housing Placement & Resource Specialists 10 East Monument Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903At CarePatrol we help families find Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, and In-Home Care. We review the care and violation history of the communities we work with. We are a free service and exist to provide the safest care options for seniors across America.