5 Reasons Aging Adults with Dementia Can’t Be Left Alone

Seniors with dementia often manage well in the early stages of the condition. However, they should have proper supervision once they begin to have more difficulty with memory loss and confusion. Ideally, you should begin to seek help with your senior loved one’s care before an accident occurs, and these five things that can happen when seniors with dementia are left alone should serve as inspiration for finding assistance with around-the-clock supervision.

1. They May Wander Away from Home

Missing senior alerts are always concerning when they happen in your neighborhood. Many of these missing senior cases involve people who have dementia. Wandering can happen at any time of day or night, and your loved one could easily slip out of the house while you’re sleeping. Overnight care is an option that prevents this common concern from being a problem.

Professional in-home caregivers can prevent wandering and other dangerous dementia-related issues. Families looking for top-rated Dallas home care service providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

2. They May Start Fires

Seniors with memory loss can easily forget they’re using hot appliances. Your loved one may leave the stove on after he or she finishes cooking or forget he or she has an iron sitting on a piece of clothing. In addition to supervising your loved one during these activities, purchase appliances for your parent that shut off automatically after a certain time.

3. They Could Misuse Items Around the House

Seniors often need some level of house-proofing to keep them safe when they have dementia. While you may have put household chemicals and sharp objects out of the way, there’s always the possibility your loved one might get hold of something unsafe. Seniors with dementia may do things such as accidentally take their pets’ medication or mistake dish soap for a drink. Having a professional caregiver around ensures your loved one doesn’t do something that could jeopardize his or her health.

Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Dallas families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care.

4. They Could Get Hurt & Not Be Able to Call for Help

Seniors are at risk for falling and not being able to get back up to call for help, and those with dementia might not know what to do even if they can get to their phones. Your loved one may not remember basic first aid for common injuries such as cuts and burns, forget how to call for emergency services, or fail to remember the phone number for a family member. 

5. They Might Get Frightened or Upset

There are several things that can physically go wrong when a senior with dementia is left alone. However, it’s also important to remember your loved one’s emotional needs. Your loved one needs someone there to calm him or her down if he or she has a hallucination or gets confused when suddenly remembering a family member passed away years ago. Your loved one may even be aware on some level that he or she is alone, which could lead to emotional distress. Just having someone in the same room may be enough to keep your loved one calm.

If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, keeping him or her safe is your top priority, and a caregiver can be a tremendous asset. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care Dallas, TX, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at [hca_phone] to learn more about our customized care plans.