When a Loved One With Dementia Needs More Medical Support: What Families Should Consider

Dementia is one of the most serious neurodegenerative diseases the older population faces. No one-size-fits-all formula works best for every individual with dementia. The choice of treatment or professional support a family opts for depends on various factors, including the stage of dementia the individual is at, their preference for care, and much more.

Often, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is the right choice because, in addition to assisted living, it offers memory care with skilled nursing to handle the complexities an individual may face in advanced stages of dementia. If they are in the early stages of dementia, they would be given assisted living and memory care when their memory issues advance.

In this article, we’ll cover the signs that show more medical support is needed and how a continuing care retirement community, especially one with memory care and a skilled nursing unit, can be the right professional care option for a family.

Signs That More Medical Support Is Needed

No matter how effective your support and assistance are, it can never match what a professional can provide. Here are some signs that show your loved one with dementia may need more medical support than what’s accessible at home.

Difficulty With Daily Tasks

They have begun having difficulty managing medications safely, preparing meals, or handling personal hygiene, which was previously manageable for them.

Safety Risks

Frequent falls, wandering, getting lost in familiar places, and other related issues that raise safety concerns.

Advanced Disease Progression

Dementia’s progression has started causing noticeable issues, including significant weight loss, trouble swallowing, loss of mobility, and sleep disturbances.

Caregiver Burnout

You or the other family caregiver has started experiencing caregiver burnout that results in exhaustion, depression, or declining health.

How Is A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) The Right Care Option

A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is the only care option that provides the continuum of care seniors with dementia need to age in place without changing residence if their needs increase. Here’s what makes it a perfect choice for seniors with memory issues:

Makes Aging In Place Possible

Even if the individual’s care needs increase, they remain on the same familiar community campus. This reduces the likelihood of trauma and confusion from relocation if a transition is needed from one care level to another. A senior with early dementia can begin their senior living journey with assisted living to then move to memory care when symptoms worsen.

Onsite Memory Support

As soon as the individual begins experiencing worsening memory issues, they can transition to secure memory care units, where they receive 24/7 supervision, trained staff assistance, and access to structured routines that prevent wandering and reduce anxiety and confusion.

Social And Physical Engagement

Residents have access to therapeutic programming, wellness activities, and nutritious, chef-prepared meals that support their overall well-being in a safe environment.

Family Peace Of Mind

Spouses or family members don’t have to scramble to find a completely new care setting during a crisis or sudden decline in health.

Bayshire San Dimas—A Trusted Memory Care With Skilled Nursing

At Bayshire San Dimas, we understand that accepting that a loved one needs more care than can be managed at home is challenging for families. While they thought at-home care was enough, dementia’s progression brought new concerns that make professional care necessary.

By choosing a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), they ensure their loved one has access to comprehensive wellness and peace of mind.

Families seeking a care option that guarantees holistic wellness can contact us at Bayshire San Dimas. In our care-focused community, we offer multiple care options, including assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, to support a continuum of care for comprehensive wellness.

Schedule a visit today to see the amenities we offer to enrich residents’ lives.