Forgetfulness is something we all suffer from every now and then. It’s normal to occasionally forget where you’ve put your keys or if you really locked the door when you left home. These aren’t usually indicative of dementia, however, you may have noticed a family member, your parent perhaps, forgetting things that are more uncommon and more concerning, such as how to make change, how to use the telephone, or how to find their way home.
As your parents age into the senior portion of their life, it is important to observe for signs of dementia. If you believe your parent may be suffering from a memory problem such as mild cognitive impairment, the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, or another form of dementia, it is important to recognize it and take measures to improve their lives in any way you can.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms that includes changes in thinking, memory, and other cognitive functions. There is more than one type of dementia and symptoms can be associated with a number of different types of dementia that each affect the brain in various ways.
Typically, people with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with their ability to participate in day-to-day activities and maintain relationships. Seniors with dementia may also lose the ability to solve problems and control their emotions; they may experience personality changes and behavioral problems, such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations.
Signs Of Dementia Or Other Serious Memory Problems
Signs to look for that indicate that your parent or loved one may have dementia or another memory-related issue include:
- Asking the same questions or telling the same stories repeatedly
- Becoming lost in places a person knows well
- Not being able to follow directions
- An impaired concept of time
- Confusing or failing to recognize/remember people and places
- Not taking care of oneself or one’s home (eating poorly, not bathing or being unsafe)
- Significant changes in logic and judgment
- Difficulty communicating with others
- Changes in one’s attention span and ability to focus
Seeking Care For Family Members With Dementia
Families may find that they sometimes need help in caring for their family members who suffer from dementia and other memory-related issues. There is no shame in this. Seeking professional help just means that you are providing your loved one with the best possible care and improving their quality of life.
Care Solutions helps families who are seeking care for their loved ones by finding senior living communities that most suit each family’s needs. Many senior living communities in the greater Portland area offer specialized dementia or memory care services. Memory care communities offer your loved one a quiet and structured environment. Many people with dementia, particularly those in the early stages, benefit from adhering to a clear daily routine and practicing tasks designed to improve performance in specific aspects of cognitive functioning. In a memory care community, your parent will receive specialized care from professionals who are trained in assisting those with dementia.
Care Solutions makes finding the senior living community that most benefits your family easy. There are over 1,500 senior living options in the metro area alone. At Care Solutions, however, we are familiar with a wide array of senior living communities in the area and know how to match a senior living community with your parent’s needs.
Rely On Care Solutions To Find The Right Senior Living Community For Loved Ones With Dementia
When you’re ready to seek out senior care living options for your loved one, contact Care Solutions. Whatever your family’s unique needs are, Care Solutions is pledged to helping families find the right care solution for their loved one. You will find yourself in caring hands with the team at Care Solutions. We strive to ease the process of placing a loved one into care by taking away the stress. Care Solutions offers a free placement assessment to find out the best senior care living option for your family.
For superior care solutions, you can depend on Care Solutions to guide you through the placement process.
To get started simply contact us or call us at 503-548-7312.