It is often difficult to accept that a loved one is showing signs of dementia. When we are confronted by unpleasant or scary situations, it’s natural to go into denial. However, if a person’s memory and cognition is impaired, it can be dangerous for both you and them if you pretend that everything is okay. Knowing the dangers associated dementia and finding an assisted living community in Florida can help ensure everyone involved is safe and comfortable with the diagnosis.
What Can Happen If You’re in Denial
If your loved one is showing signs of dementia, you may be in denial about their need for care. An assisted living center in Boynton Beach can help provide the assistance you need to care for your family member. Without their help you may suffer more than you need to. Here’s why.
You’ll miss out on quality time.
If you can’t come to terms with the changes in your loved one, you may spend less time with them. This is a common response since the individual is no longer the person you knew all your life. However, you actually miss out on opportunities to connect with the person they are now. Dementia is progressive and there is no cure. Even though it’s painful to watch someone you care about struggle with dementia, you should still try to connect with them.
Your loved one may suffer injuries.
People with dementia become increasingly prone to falls and other accidents. If you’re in denial, you won’t make the home modifications that are necessary to keep them safe. You may need to install nightlights, label items in the home and even hide certain pieces of equipment so they can’t hurt themselves or others. You also need to accept that you may eventually have to move the individual into the memory care section of an assisted living community in Florida to ensure their safety.
Your parent or relative may face legal issues.
People with dementia often lose the ability to make decisions regarding finances or anything else that’s complicated. If you wait too late to have them arrange advance directives and power of attorney, it can become very difficult to manage their medical treatment, banking affairs, and long-term care. If they want you to make decisions for them when they become incapacitated, they need to put it in writing. Otherwise, their affairs may go to a relative who doesn’t know what they want or need or have their best interests in mind.
Your loved one’s physical health may suffer.
Some seniors with dementia overdose on medication while others don’t take their pills. Even with marked pill containers, they could still endanger themselves. That’s because they may not be aware of how much time has passed or what day of the week it is. Your loved one may also lose their ability to prepare nutritious meals. They may eat large portions of unhealthy foods, forget to eat or use food that’s gone bad. When things get to this stage, you may want to consider moving your loved one into an assisted living community in Florida.
Let an Assisted Living Community in Florida Assist You in Caring for Your Loved One
To ensure that your loved one lives out their remaining years comfortably, you first need to accept their diagnosis. While you may want to care for them at home, this may not be possible in the long term. At Courtyard Gardens Senior Living, we have a team of professionals trained in providing memory care and our facility is safe and secure. If you’re looking for the best assisted living facility in Boynton Beach, call us to learn more about what we have to offer.
