If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia it can be difficult to determine if it is still safe for them to live independently. Often family members worry but the loved one insists everything is fine and help is not needed. News stories of dementia patients wandering away from home and requiring a search and rescue effort increase concern for family members. No one wants their loved one to become a missing dementia patient. How do you determine when dementia care is required to keep your loved one safe?

First, you should be aware that it is possible to provide dementia care in home. In other words, it is not necessary to move your loved one to an assisted living facility especially at the early stages of dementia. If your loved one strongly desires to stay in their own home it can be achieved. In addition, you do not have to provide the care yourself. It can be exhausting and overwhelming caring for a dementia patient especially if you do not have the appropriate training.

To determine if your loved one needs dementia care you should ask yourself the following questions:

• How do they spend their time during the day?
• Are they still able to successfully shop and cook for themselves?
• Are they consuming nutritious foods? Do they need help eating?
• Are they able to keep their house clean or are dishes and laundry piling up?
• Do they keep up with paying bills on time?
• Have there been any instances in which the water was left running or the stove left on?
• re they able to adequately maintain their personal hygiene?
• Do they tend to wander?
• Do they wear inappropriate clothes for the weather or wear the same clothes for days?
• Do they take their medication as prescribed or do they have trouble keeping track of what to take when?

If any of the above questions were answered in a way that makes you realize your loved one is no longer capable of living independently contact us at Home Matters. We offer home care services that include errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation, grocery shopping, medication reminders, transportation for doctor appointments.