This article is written from the perspective of a caregiver for someone with dementia (especially Alzheimer’s or someone with memory problems) but most of the article applies to a caregiver for any person. The author is The Pines of Sarasota, which is the educational institute that partners with dementia expert Teepa Snow.
These are the seven signs for someone to consider a long-term care situation:
1. Caregiver Stress. This is detrimental to your health, and looking after your own health is the best thing you can do for the person in your care. So, “if your stress levels remain high over an extended period of time, be honest with yourself.” Consider a change to your living situation, or get more support.
2. Shadowing. If the person in your care follows you around, this is wearing on the nerves, increasing conflict and adding to caregiver stress.
3. Home Safety & Wandering.
4. Wandering & Elopement. Wandering is leaving a safe environment. Elopement is leaving with intention, such as wanting to return to one’s ‘own’ home.
5. Sundowning, which is “increasing confusion and agitation usually occurring around sunset in people with some types of dementia.” It can be caused by over-stimulation and fatigue. Senior care facilities can reduce sundowning.
6. Aggression. Whether verbal, physical, or sexual, aggression may be too much to handle for an in-home caregiver. [Robin’s note: This is especially a problem in our Lewy Body Dementia caregiver group.]
7. Changing Care Needs. Be aware that the needs of the person in your care may eventually surpass your physical capabilities as the disease progresses. Seek help before you harm your own well being.
Here’s a link to the full article:
www.pineseducation.org/7-signs-it-is-time-to-consider-a-senior-care-community/
7 Signs it is Time to Consider a Senior Care Community
The Pines of Sarasota Education & Training Institute
2016
Robin