Maybe you’re trying to repay them after everything they’ve done for you. Or maybe you’re hesitant to trust someone else with their care. Or maybe your loved one just flat-out refuses additional help from a memory care community. Whatever the situation, being the primary caregiver for a family member with dementia is hard. And feelings of guilt are likely to creep in along the way.

What is Caregiver Guilt?

Caregiver guilt is an extremely real and painful experience, and it comes in many different forms. Feeling overwhelmed with the responsibilities of caregiving, feeling impatient with your loved one, or even blaming yourself for things that have happened are common. Guilt can often lead to feelings of shame, depression, anxiety, anger, and even resentment towards the person you’re caring for.

The realization that you are no longer able to care for your loved one with dementia is an unsure and overwhelming process. It’s tough to let go and turn to additional support, especially when your loved one is refusing. Caregiver guilt can have real consequences for the relationship with your loved one if it goes on too long. But at the end of the day, you must do what’s best for both of you. Their health and safety matter most, and so does your well-being .

How to Cope

A dementia diagnosis flips your world upside down and realizing that you can no longer care for your family member is a lot to bear. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with the guilt you are dealing with.

• Be kind to yourself: Remind yourself that guilt, shame, and resentment are perfectly normal emotions for caregivers to experience. It’s a challenging process to watch the progression of dementia in your loved one.
• Seek out support: Join a support group or talk to others in similar situations to gain perspective, process your emotions, and learn that you’re not alone in this journey.
• Prioritize self-care: Take time for yourself—it’s not selfish. Participate in your favorite hobbies or consider journaling to alleviate stress and manage your feelings.
• Give it time: Adjusting to a new environment takes time—for both you and your loved one. It’s a gradual process, and it’s okay if it doesn’t happen overnight.
• Believe it’s for the best: It’s never going to be an easy decision to loosen the reins and accept help; however, know that you will be improving the quality of life for your loved one, both medically and socially.

Memory Care

After deciding that additional support is needed, you’ll probably ask yourself: What now?

As dementia progresses into the later stages, it may be time to consider memory care. Memory care communities are designed to meet the needs of individuals facing cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Our team at Shelby Gardens is specially trained to focus on the unique strengths and needs of every resident. Your loved one will receive personalized care and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, grooming, and dressing. Additionally, on-site nursing staff are available to address any health concerns that arise, providing you with both comfort and peace of mind.

Our community is dedicated to creating a warm, comfortable, and safe space where your loved one can feel right at home. We also offer around-the-clock memory care activities schedule intended to stimulate the mind and ensure that every resident is left entirely fulfilled. Some of these activities include daily exercise programs, classes, clubs, and music therapy.

At Shelby Gardens, our memory care community offers more than just a place to live — it’s a new beginning filled with meaningful possibilities. We understand that the transition into memory care can be a challenging and emotional decision. That’s why we’re here to walk alongside your loved one on their dementia journey, offering compassionate support every step of the way. Contact us today!

At Shelby Gardens, we offer personalized memory care for those living with memory loss or cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Memory care communities are a type of senior care designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with dementia. At Shelby Gardens, our experienced professionals use the latest research and proven therapies to care for seniors impacted by the disease, while also creating a strong sense of purpose and enjoyment.

While forgetfulness is a common age-related symptom, it is important to be aware of the stages and signs of dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe various conditions impacting an individual’s memory, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common.

To be diagnosed with dementia, an individual must struggle with at least two cognitive abilities, such as memory, communication and speech, concentration, reasoning, judgment, and visual perception. Difficulty with any of these abilities will impact their participation levels in their favorite activities throughout their dementia journey.

Listed below are the 7 stages of dementia and how participation in activities will be impacted along the way.

7 Stages of Dementia & Levels of Participation

No Dementia

Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline

There are no initial signs of memory impairment during the first stage. You will not notice any changes to your loved ones’ behavior, memory, or any symptoms related to dementia.

If you and your loved one are concerned about the onset of dementia, this stage would be the time to start planning. Begin documenting their values and priorities, and the type of care they would be interested in for the future.

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline

The second stage of dementia consists of very mild cognitive decline. In this stage, you may still not see any changes in your loved one. Symptoms during this stage may seem like age-related forgetfulness, such as forgetting names or misplacing familiar objects.

Just like stage 1, if you are concerned about your loved one’s memory, it may be time to start planning. Have those important conversations with your loved one while you still can. Shelby Gardens would be happy to help facilitate some of these difficult conversations. Contact us here to get our free conversation guide!

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline

During the third stage, loved ones notice slight signs of cognitive decline. Symptoms include heightened forgetfulness, trouble finding words and concentrating, decreased work performance, and getting lost more frequently. The average duration of this stage is between 2 to 7 years.

Level of Participation: During the No-Dementia stages, your loved one will still be able to participate in any of their favorite activities, such as reading, listening to music, or exercising.

Early Stage

Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline

You will start to see clear signs of memory impairment in your loved one during the fourth stage. Symptoms include trouble concentrating and recalling recent events, difficulty socializing, inability to manage finances, and denial of these symptoms. Physicians can detect cognitive decline and diagnose a person with dementia during this stage. The average duration is 2 years.

Level of Participation: During the Early Stage, participation levels may vary based on the individual’s physical abilities at the time of diagnosis. Activities should be adapted from hobbies or interests that they enjoyed before their diagnosis. If they once loved reading, try an audiobook to support mental stimulation and engagement.

Mid-Stage

Stage 5: Moderate Severe Cognitive Decline

The fifth stage marks what is known as “mid-stage” dementia. Throughout this stage, individuals with memory impairment will begin to require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, or toileting. Additionally, they will need more support and supervision.

Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline

In stage 6, individuals cannot carry out activities of daily living (ADLs). Other symptoms include forgetting the names of family members, forgetting recent and major events, loss of bladder control, sleep difficulties, delusions, aggression, and anxiety. Stage 6 usually lasts about 2.5 to 4 years.

During stage 6 of dementia, you may find it increasingly difficult to care for your loved one on your own.

Level of Participation: Throughout the Mid-Stages, physical and complex activity often becomes more challenging, however, listening to their favorite songs can allow individuals to feel connected to music and movement. They may tap their foot to the rhythm or sway.

Late Stage

Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline

The final stage of dementia is characterized by the inability to speak or communicate, recognize loved ones, or walk. Individuals may also sleep excessively, experience urinary and fecal incontinence, lose motor skills, and even suffer organ failure. The average duration of this stage is 1.5 to 2.5 years.

Level of Participation: In the late stage of dementia, an individual may not fully be able to participate in a favorite activity like they used to; however, they may still enjoy the feelings or sensations of an activity. For example, if they used to knit, simply feeling the wool or yarn can spark enjoyment.

Memory Care

If you and your loved one are facing the challenges of a dementia diagnosis, it may be time to turn to memory care. Memory care at Shelby Gardens provides a comfortable, warm, and secure environment for all of our residents. If health concerns arise with your loved one, the on-site nursing staff are there to address them, allowing your family some peace of mind.

We also provide engaging and relevant activities for residents at any stage of dementia to participate in. At Shelby Gardens, our round the clock memory care activities schedule is designed specifically for residents facing challenges associated with dementia to feel stimulated and entirely fulfilled. Some activities include daily exercise programs, classes, clubs, and music therapy.

Each activity is holistically designed to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit of every resident. All activities and amenities that we offer allow our residents to continue to grow their passions and hobbies that they have enjoyed throughout their lifetime.

At Shelby Gardens Memory Care, we’re here to support you and your loved one along their dementia journey and provide personalized senior care in a secure and comfortable environment. Contact us today!