When Is It Time to Consider a Dementia Memory Care Home?

7 Signs It May Be Time to Make the Transition to a Memory Care Home

In this blog we will discuss, when to move dementia patient, care home for Alzheimer’s, dementia home care vs facility

“We promised we’d keep her at home. But now… we’re not sure we can anymore.”

If you're a caregiver for someone with dementia, you’ve likely faced this difficult question:

When is it time to move them into a memory care home?

No one wants to rush the decision—or make it under pressure. But there comes a point when caregiving at home can become unsafe, unsustainable, or emotionally overwhelming.

And recognizing that moment—before a crisis—can make the transition smoother and more compassionate for everyone involved.

This isn’t about giving up.It’s about choosing the next level of support at the right time.

Let’s walk through 7 signs that may indicate your loved one is ready for the structure and safety of a dementia care facility—and how to navigate the decision without guilt.

🧠 1. Worsening Safety Concerns at Home

If your loved one is:

• Wandering outside unsupervised

• Leaving stoves or appliances on

• Falling more frequently

• Confused about doors, stairs, or exits

…it’s a strong sign that their physical safety is at risk.

Even with home modifications and part-time help, there may come a point where constant supervision is needed—and home isn’t equipped to provide it.

🌙 2. Increased Sundowning or Nighttime Disruption

Sundowning behaviors like:

• Restlessness or pacing

• Insomnia

• Aggression in the evening

• Nighttime wandering or falls

…can exhaust even the most committed caregiver. If nights are becoming dangerous or unmanageable, a facility with overnight staff may offer more stability.

🧍‍♀️ 3. Caregiver Burnout or Health Decline

You’re not failing if you’re:

• Constantly exhausted

• Missing your own medical appointments

• Anxious, depressed, or socially isolated

• Struggling with work, family, or financial stress

Caregiver burnout isn’t just hard—it’s a safety issue. If your health is declining, your loved one’s care will suffer, too.

You deserve support—and they deserve a care plan that’s sustainable.

💊 4. Complex Medical or Behavioral Needs

Some dementia patients develop conditions that require:

• Full medication management

• Injections or wound care

• Frequent doctor coordination

• Severe behavior management (e.g., aggression, paranoia, delusions)

These cases may be better managed in a memory care unit or skilled nursing facility, where trained staff and protocols are always in place.

🕰️ 5. You’re Hiring Multiple Caregivers, And Still Can’t Keep Up

If you’ve built a full team of caregivers and still find:

• Shifts are hard to fill

• There’s no consistency

• Care feels fragmented

• You’re spending more time managing staff than connecting with your loved one

…it may be time to consider a setting where care is centralized, coordinated, and supervised 24/7.

🚪 6. Social Withdrawal or Emotional Distress

Some people with dementia become isolated at home, especially if they:

• No longer enjoy familiar routines

• Don’t engage with visitors

• Show signs of depression or withdrawal

• Thrive with more structure or stimulation

A memory care facility may offer group activities, therapeutic programs, and predictable daily rhythms that bring back a sense of purpose.

🧭 7. You’re Asking This Question More Often

If you keep wondering:

• “Are we still safe?”

• “Is this the best place for them now?”

• “What happens if there’s an emergency and I’m not home?”

• “Would they do better in a different environment?”

Then the answer may already be forming—and that’s okay.

It doesn’t mean you’ve failed.It means you’re listening to your intuition.

When Facility Care Might Not Be Necessary Yet

Facility care isn’t the only option. Your loved one may still do well at home if:

• They are physically stable and not wandering

• You have strong family or caregiver support

• They respond well to routines and structured activities

• You’re still able to rest, work, and live safely

In these cases, programs like Nestcare’s NEST Carelink™ nurse visits and Nest Care Cards can extend the time they can safely stay at home.

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care vs. Skilled Nursing: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

🏠 Assisted Living

• Best for seniors who need help with daily activities

• Not always equipped for dementia-specific behaviors

🧠 Memory Care

• Staff trained in dementia care

• Secure environment with structured routines

• Ideal for moderate dementia and high supervision needs

🏥 Skilled Nursing

• 24/7 medical care

• For advanced dementia, health complications, or rehabilitation

Not sure what your loved one needs?A Nestcare nurse can help evaluate and guide you through the next steps.

Deciding to move someone into a care home is never easy.But sometimes, it’s the most compassionate choice—for them and for you.

You’re not giving up.You’re stepping into a new chapter of caregiving—one that’s just as full of love, attention, and advocacy.

And when you make that decision from a place of planning, not panic, it can be a peaceful transition for the whole family.