Think Your Parent Has Dementia? Signs That They Do And What To Look For In A Nursing Home
In the beginning stages of dementia, your parent will have mild symptoms that only people close to them will notice. Mild cognitive decline is something to look for. This includes forgetfulness or not being able to find the right word. Below are other signs you should watch for as well as tips on finding a nursing home for your parent.
Symptoms of Dementia
As your parent progresses through dementia, you will notice speech difficulties, such as not being able to hold a conversation, as well as problems focusing on tasks they do every day. Your parent may start having problems driving, such as getting lost in common areas. It is at this point where you should take your parent to a doctor to be tested for dementia so that early treatment can be started.
Your parent will next have moderate decline, which generally lasts a couple of years. If your parent is at this point, they will misplace items on a regular basis, forget recent events or conversations, feel depressed or irritable, have problems remembering names of people they meet, and more.
After this stage, your parent's symptoms will become much worse, and there will be a time when you will likely find it difficult to care for them. This is when it is time to start considering placing your parent in a nursing home.
What to Look For In A Nursing Home
When you start looking for nursing homes, you need to make sure they specialize in different forms of dementia. Someone with dementia needs extra care because they may wander at night and need help eating, bathing, etc.
Many nursing homes have memory care units, which are separate from the rest of the nursing home. This unit is more secure and all doors are locked down, so your parent will not be able to get out. Memory care facilities also have skilled nurses and other staff members who are trained to work with patients who have dementia.
It is common for someone with dementia to lose their appetite. Memory care units are prepared for this and will work with your parent to help them get the nutrients they need. They may do this by sitting with them while they eat or offering different types of food.
Memory care units are beneficial as there is generally more staff to ensure that each patient is properly cared for. The staff will understand how dementia progresses, know how to deal with different types of behavior, and understand how to effectively communicate with dementia patients.
Talk with a few memory care units in your area until you find one you that is a good fit for your parent.
