Dementia refers to a collective decline in cognitive functions caused by conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms vary from person to person, with some individuals progressing to later stages within months, while others may live in the early stages for years. During this time, many individuals prefer to remain in their own homes.
With the right support, such as assisted living at home services, your elderly loved one can maintain their independence and safety while enjoying the comfort of familiar surroundings.
Early-Stage Dementia Symptoms
Different types of dementia affect various areas of the brain, so symptoms can differ from person to person and progress at varying rates. Some symptoms may go unnoticed by family members, especially if they don’t have frequent contact with your elderly loved one.
Assisted living at home providers can help provide the necessary care and attention during this stage, ensuring your loved one receives the support they need.
Some symptoms that are common among many forms of early-stage dementia:
- Memory loss is the most common symptom. It’s not long-term memories that get lost, but more recent events such as birthdays, doctor’s appointments, and financial commitments (such as paying monthly bills on time). While forgetting what she had for lunch yesterday is normal, forgetting that she went to lunch with her niece is not normal.
- Struggling to concentrate. You might notice your elderly loved one has a hard time staying focused on a task or following the storyline of a movie or conversation.
- Having difficulty with daily tasks. Your loved one might get tripped up when trying to complete her grocery shopping or follow a recipe.
- Struggling to find the right word or being able to clearly communicate an idea. While forgetting an occasional word is normal, struggling with everyday words like sky, water, and dog might indicate the early stages of dementia.
- Getting lost in familiar places. Your loved one might struggle to find her way home from her favorite supermarket or get turned around in her place of worship and not be able to find a room she visits every week.
- Being confused about time and seasons. Your loved one might mix up her mornings for evenings or think that it’s spring when it’s October. She might dress inappropriately for the weather or try to go to bed at 1 pm.
- Her mood might change. You might find your loved one seems more angry, paranoid, or depressed than usual.
When Your Elderly Loved One Needs a Bit More Help to Live at Home
It is different for each family, but there may come a day when you will believe it’ll be better for your elderly loved one to have someone come to the home and assist her in daily living so that she can keep her independence but remain safe. As her condition worsens, she might lose the ability to drive, safely use kitchen appliances, or regularly take her medications. When those activities need a bit more supervision, having someone provide assisted living at home is a great transitional solution.
A provider of assisted living at home can help her arrange for transportation as needed, prepare healthy and nutritious meals for her, as well as ensure she’s taking her prescribed medications. You can work directly with your assisted care at home providers to customize your loved one’s care so that she can stay in her home for as long as possible.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living at Home in Lakewood, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, today. Call (303) 647-1800
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Denver, Englewood, Lakewood, Aurora, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Centennial, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Castle Rock and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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