How Long Can Someone With Dementia Live Alone?
Finding out a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia can create a wave of emotions in many different directions. One question often on the mind is how long can someone with memory loss live alone?
As everyone’s journey with cognitive disorders is personal and diagnoses come at different times, it’s a difficult question to answer.
Memory lapses are expected from time to time. Alzheimer’s and dementia are not normal parts of aging. When lapses in memory start to interrupt everyday life, seniors and their families need to reassess living situations.
Adults with early-stage dementia can live independently with the proper assistance measures and suitable adjustments.
How can a person with Alzheimer’s dementia live alone?
Plan for the Future
The earlier the detection of dementia, the sooner planning for the future can begin.
Doctors are making strides at early detection of Alzheimer’s. Minor cognitive impairment (MCI) tests can identify the likelihood of developing the most common form of dementia.
About 12 to 18 percent of people over 60 live with MCI, and one-third of those seniors will develop dementia within five years. Older adults and their families who know this information can begin with the legal, financial, and care plans while time is on their side. The Alzheimer’s Association provides free resources to get you started.
Let the person with dementia have as much say as possible in the planning process. Decide at what stage of memory loss your loved one will have to:
- Stop driving
- Stop cooking their meals
- Stop cleaning and doing housework
- Stop managing medications
- Stop managing money and bills
Fall Assessment, Accidents, and Wandering
Alzheimer’s can affect parts of the brain that interpret vision. While eyesight is technically okay, the brain may confuse colors or spatial distances, leading to increased fall risk. Changes to the brain can also affect balance, making it easier for a senior to have an accident.
Reduce the risk of falling by:
- Making sure living spaces are well lit
- Making clear pathways throughout the home
- Eliminating trip hazards such as rugs or door thresholds
- Ensuring hand railings are sturdy
- Installing ramps or mobility devices to use stairs
- Installing motion detectors that can alert of falls
- Utilizing walk-in showers with safety bars
- Utilizing rounded edge furniture as opposed to tables and desks with sharp corners
Forgetfulness can also be aided by products like automatic devices that turn off the stove or faucet sensors that will not leave the water running. If a plan is in place for your loved one to receive meals, turning off the power to cooking appliances can help.
Wandering can become an issue at any stage of memory loss dementia. Consider outfitting your loved one with a lanyard or bracelet identification in case they find themselves away from home. Wearable technology can provide GPS monitoring, so you know where your parent or spouse is at all times.
Preventing Loneliness and Isolation
One-fourth of seniors live in social isolation. Experiencing loneliness increases the likelihood of inactivity that can lead to an increased risk of:
- Depression and anxiety
- Dementia developing more rapidly
- Heart disease and stroke
- Emergency room visits and hospitalization
Schedule friends and families to make routine visits to the person with dementia. Encourage a schedule of activities that might be of interest to both parties. Staying active physically and socially can help slow memory loss. These activities promote brain plasticity and keep the mind working.
If you are the sole caregiver, consider an adult day center that can increase social interaction for your loved one. Activity is essential to healthy aging, including for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The Activities of Daily Living Assessment
Basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) can monitor your loved one’s quality of life. As most cases of dementia are progressive, your loved one will eventually need 24-hour care. ADLs and IADLs assessments can help guide when a person with dementia needs additional care.
ADLs include:
- Bathing and grooming
- Dressing
- Personal hygiene and using the restroom
- Eating
- Mobility and transferring
IADLs include:
- Shopping
- Preparing meals
- Cleaning the home
- Maintaining the home and yard
- Managing and administering medications
- Paying bills on time and managing finances
- Driving or arranging means of transportation
- Managing and administering medications
Most seniors who live in assisted living facilities require help with at least two ADLs. At least 45 percent of Texas assisted living residents have some form of dementia. Their ADL needs include:
- 66 percent need help with their mobility
- 58 percent need help bathing
- 46 percent need dressing assistance
- 30 percent need help getting in and out of bed
- 18 percent need assistance eating
Needing help with ADLs is not uncommon and can be managed with the proper care plan preparation. IADLs are harder to judge and require careful pre-planning.
In the first stage of dementia, a person may:
- Have trouble finding correct words
- Have difficulty concentrating, organizing, or making plans
- Forget names of new people or new information
- Misplace everyday objects
Many people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia continue to work or complete routine tasks. They may still drive, but as symptoms progress, they may find themselves lost and not recalling how they got there.
Stage two of dementia–the mild or moderate stage– is when symptoms are more apparent to family and friends. During this time, individuals with a type of dementia can lead independent lives with assistance but not live independently. Changes include:
- Increasing chance of wandering
- Forgetting personal information and events
- Forgetful of phone numbers and addresses
- Confusion of day and time
- Mobility and mood changes
- Disruptive sleep patterns
- Hallucinations
Independence and the middle stage of dementia can lead to concerns. A person experiencing increased confusion and wandering may want to drive to the store, but the risk is not worth the reward.
Speaking on the phone or communicating over the Internet may be difficult and lead to senior scams.
Stage three of dementia will require 24-hour care. Living independently will not be an option. Participating in engaging activities and socialization can still be beneficial.
Can assisted living help people with Alzheimer’s?
Senior living communities like assisted living are excellent tools for planning for the future. Communities that offer assisted living and memory care can make the transition of dementia an easier process.
Memory care programs exist to remove the burden of caretaking from families. These communities take care of the heavy lifting so families can enjoy meaningful moments.
If a loved one is in the early stages of dementia, assisted living can provide ADLs and many IADLs. Memory care offers purposeful living and a higher level of care as symptoms progress. Communities like Sage Oak of Denton are one example.
Memory Care at Sage Oak of Denton
Sage Oak of Denton welcomes seniors to a new style of assisted living and memory care. Our boutique senior living community is a warm and welcoming home. Older adults living with memory loss can experience a family-style environment. It’s a living space set up for their success and care.
Benefits include:
- High caregiver-to-resident ratio
- Nurse oversight
- ADL assistance
- Smaller resident population
- Family-style meals from an in-house chef
- Individualized activities
- Secure indoor and outdoor environments
- Consistent atmosphere
- Private living spaces
When the care for your loved one becomes too much to handle, or you want to plan for their future, choosing memory care is a gift. Each home in our boutique community only includes 16 residents. Our specialized caregivers have more time to offer your loved one personalized services, care, and activities.
If you’re searching for memory care, Denton, TX families can find relief with the services available at Sage Oak.
Memory Care | Denton, TX
Discover care options for a loved one living with a type of dementia in Denton, TX. Learn more about our services and resources for families. Contact us to experience the Sage Oak difference.