Would It Be Beneficial for Mom (Who Has Alzheimer’s) to Spend Nights (Only) at a Memory Care Facility

If your mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she is struggling with her memory. Depending on the stage she is at with this form of dementia, she might need significant support, even around the clock. That could be placing pressure on you, your father, and other family members to support her.

A memory care assisted living facility is a wonderful elder care option to consider, and there are many reasons for this.

 

She would have around-the-clock care.

Couldn’t she have this at home? Isn’t your father able to support her, even during the overnight hours when you and perhaps your brothers or sisters can’t be there?

He might be able to, but what kind of toll is it taking on him? He might be in his late 60s, 70s, or 80s, and the older he is, the more pressure it’s placing not just on his physical strength and agility, but his overall health, too.

Most of the time, though, family caregivers don’t see the impact that stress is having on them, especially when it comes to supporting somebody with Alzheimer’s.

 

She can be surrounded by experienced staff members.

Most families who begin supporting somebody with Alzheimer’s have no idea what to do, not at the beginning. They don’t have experience.

When it comes to assisting somebody with Alzheimer’s, experience makes a world of difference. For example, did you realize that encouraging your mother to take on mentally stimulating activities early, could delay the impact of more serious aspects of memory loss in the future (Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation)?

A memory care assisted living facility will understand the latest innovations, treatment options, and support systems that can make all the difference in helping your mother at this stage in her life.

 

You can create a buffer.

As the disease progresses, there’s an increasing risk of verbal or physical aggression. Your mother may already be exhibiting certain symptoms of Sundowner’s syndrome, which is usually the result of frustration with too many tasks to complete in the late afternoon and evening hours.

If your mother starts yelling at you, accusing you of stealing things from her or trying to hurt her, or saying other vulgar things, it is going to affect you, even if you prepare for them.

Experienced staff members at a memory care assisted living facility, a wonderful elder care option for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, can take the brunt of these verbal and physical outbursts.

That diminishes the emotional impact it can have on you or your father or other family members or friends who are just trying to help her the best they can. Also, most of these staff members at a memory care facility have plenty of resources and strategies to help deal with these moments while keeping seniors safe.

So, yes, it would absolutely be beneficial for Mom to consider assisted living. And you know what? Some facilities offer respite care options, which means she might be able to spend the nights only at a facility and then return home, which is a great way to show her -firsthand- the benefits she would gain by choosing this for her full-time future home.

If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to Assisted Living in Central Scottsdale, AZ please contact the caring staff at MD Senior Living today. 480-267-9200