When is it time for long-term care?

Although many are able to care for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia at home, it may come to a point in the disease process that makes home care unmanageable. With the variety of home health services that are available, this may be delayed; but in some instance, placement is warranted. 

This area is meant to assist you in selecting the kind of care that will be best for the person who has Alzheimer's or Dementia as well as what will be best for you, the caregiver. The caregiver must remain healthy, able and motivated to be able to provide appropriate care.   ​

Some questions to consider when deciding for long-term placement is right for your loved one include:

  • Have any accidents occurred recently with appliances in home such as the stove or forgetting to turn it off properly? 
  • In the event of a fire, do you feel your loved one would follow appropriate emergency measures including calling 911 and leaving premises?
  • Has your loved one become progressively dependent with more ADLs recently? (eating, dressing, bathing)?
  • Has he or she or become easily threatened or suspicious of others, taking medications, or eating certain foods?
  • Is your loved one taking medications on schedule, following correct dosages, and willing to use an organizer/reminder device if necessary?
  • Has your loved one gotten lost or unable to remember personal information such as address, phone number, contacts that enable them to return home? Has he/she gotten lost while on a walk or running errands?
  • As the caregiver, is your health at risk, are you missing a lot of work or are unable to manage other responsibilities? Do you have additional support to care for your loved one?
  • Is the amount of home care assistance needed likely to become so great that it is not an affordable option for your family?