When Should You Move From Assisted Living To Memory Care?

If you are wondering when is the right time for you to shift from assisted living to memory care, the short answer is that it depends. The longer answer is that the right time to shift is highly dependent on the progression of a person’s dementia or memory loss, as well as their need for greater assistance with their day-to-day activities. This decision can be hard to make, especially if you have to decide on behalf of a loved one.

However, it does not necessarily have to be hard. After all, many memory care options share the same grounds as assisted living options. This means that it can be as simple as just moving down the road. Either way, having access to memory care when you need it is crucial in ensuring that you are able to get the specialized care needed to delay the progression or at least to better cope with the symptoms.

Despite the lack of fixed time frames, there are definitely signs that you can look out for them. We have listed a few of the more common indicators that it might be time to transition.

Reduced Participation

If you find that your loved one is struggling to take part in activities that they used to enjoy, it might be a worrying sign. Unlike memory care, assisted living is designed in a way to provide residents with as much autonomy and independence as possible. This means that they only provide services whenever a resident requires support. However, if you find that your loved one is finding it challenging to take part in community events and activities like enrichment programs, dining, or even the opportunities to socialize, It might be time to re-evaluate their fit for the lifestyle.

Requiring Further Assistance

When dementia starts to progress to the more advanced stages, confusion, losing track of their surroundings, wandering, and other more worrying symptoms will begin to appear. This will lead to them requiring more help than is generally offered in assisted living communities, even if they do not actively ask for it. Another way that memory care communities are important is because the grounds and architecture are also specially designed to ensure that residents are able to avoid being overstimulated and be safer and more supported.

Get Assistance from Trained Team Members at Discovery Village At Sugarloaf

Here at Discovery Village At Sugarloaf, one of the best ways for you to decide if it is time to shift is just to ask any of our trained nurses or team members! Here in our senior living community, our team is constantly ensuring that our residents are getting the best care possible. This involves monitoring for any new symptoms or progression onto later stages of health conditions. Not only will our team be instrumental in identifying the needs of your loved one, but they are also present to ensure that the transition is smooth and does not cause long-term detrimental effects on the wellbeing of your loved one.

For more information on our different senior living options, the process of transferring to different programs, or our guidelines on shifting programs, contact our senior living coordinators today.