3 Signs To Look For In Your Aging Loved One To Know It Is Time For A Care Facility
by Tony Grant
Alzheimer's is a relatively common disease that affects many aging people. The signs and symptoms of the disease in the early stages may be subtle, but over time they can become severe. The more advanced the disease becomes; the more the individual can become a danger to themselves and others. Here are some signs to look for in your loved one so that you know when the disease has progressed enough that you may need to look for additional help, such as a care facility.
1. Your Loved One Wanders
In the beginning your loved one may just start to forget simple things. They may go to the grocery store and forget a couple items. However as the disease becomes more advanced, they may begin to forget major parts of their day, where they were going, or where they currently are.
For example, your loved one may go to the grocery store, forget why they were there and even forget how to get home. They may start to wander around places that were once familiar trying to figure out what they are doing there. This is very dangerous seeing that the person could get away from home and not make it back. When you start to notice the wandering, it is time to seek out additional help. This is for your loved one's safety.
2. Your Loved One Is Paranoid
Sadly, one symptom that many people overlook is paranoia. Your loved one may have been a trusting and kind person, but then all of sudden is now scared of others and even their own family. They may think that you are trying to hold them hostage in their own home, poison them, or hurt them. These kinds of irrational thoughts can lead your ill loved one to do dangerous things. They might run away from home, lash out against you, become violent, or hurt themselves. This is not a symptom to ignore and needs to be addressed right away.
3. Your Loved One Has Reverted To A Different Time
As the illness advances your loved one may start to revert to an earlier time. They may start to carry a doll thinking it is their child, put on a uniform everyday believing they are in the military once again, and a myriad of other things. When this happens it is a sign that the illness is severe enough that they may need additional help.
By watching for these signs you can protect your loved one and get them the help they need. For more information, contact a facility like Alta Ridge Communities.
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About Me
When you're facing putting your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you want to make the best possible choice for your loved one. That can be difficult when you don't know much about the nursing homes in your area, or about what you should be looking for in a nursing home to begin with. It's a good idea to tour as many facilities in your area as possible to get an idea of which ones you like, but you still need to know what the signs of a good or bad nursing home are. I used to work as a kitchen assistant in long term care facilities, and I learned a lot about them during that time. I started this blog to share some of my insights into what makes a nursing home great, and how to spot problems in a facility that you're considering.