When Do Dementia Patients Need 24-Hour Care?

In the early stages of dementia, many people live safely at home with some help, such as reminders, rides, meal preparation or a few hours of support each day. But dementia is progressive, and at some point most people need someone nearby around the clock. Recognizing when that time has come can protect your loved one’s safety and your own health.

Signs your loved one may need 24-hour care

• Wandering. Leaving home, getting lost, or trying to go “home” when already there, especially at night.
• Nighttime needs. Waking often, being up and confused at night, or needing help to the bathroom.
• Safety risks. Leaving the stove on, letting strangers in, falling for scams, or not knowing how to respond in an emergency.
• Falls, or difficulty walking, standing or getting out of bed or a chair.
• Medication mistakes, such as missing doses or taking too much.
• Needing hands-on help with bathing, dressing, eating or toileting.
• Incontinence that is hard to manage.
• Behavior changes, such as agitation, aggression, paranoia, hallucinations or sundowning.
• Not eating or drinking enough, or weight loss.
• Being unable to call for help or use a phone or alert button.

Signs the caregiver needs more help

Around-the-clock needs are often clear from the caregiver’s side first:

• You can’t leave your loved one alone, even for a short time.
• You aren’t sleeping because you’re up during the night.
• Your own health is declining.
• You feel exhausted, overwhelmed, isolated or resentful.
• You’re worried about lifting, transfers or keeping your loved one safe.

A single caregiver, however devoted, can’t safely provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for months or years.

Options for 24-hour care

• In-home care. Hiring caregivers in shifts around the clock. This keeps your loved one at home but can be very costly, and scheduling can be difficult.
• Family plus paid help. Combining family caregivers with home care, adult day programs and respite.
• Memory care. A licensed assisted living home specializing in dementia provides awake caregivers day and night, supervision, meals, medication help and activities, in a secure setting.
• Skilled nursing. For people who also have significant medical needs that require daily nursing care.

Making the decision

• Talk with your loved one’s doctor about their current needs and what to expect.
• Involve other family members early, so everyone shares the decision.
• Tour memory care homes before a crisis.
• Look into how to pay, including long-term care insurance, VA Aid and Attendance and Florida Medicaid’s long-term care program.

Choosing 24-hour care isn’t giving up. It’s making sure your loved one is safe, comfortable and cared for at every hour, and letting you return to being a spouse, son or daughter.

Generations Senior Living operates three licensed assisted living homes specializing in memory care near The Villages, with caregivers on duty around the clock: two caregivers during the day, and a caregiver who stays awake the whole night. We accept Medicaid at all three homes and accept long-term care insurance, with help filing claims.

Have questions about memory care for someone you love? Call Generations Senior Living at (352) 474-2696 or schedule a tour of one of our three homes near The Villages.