Senior woman finding bananas in chest of drawers at home. Age-related memory impairment
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When Memory Care Is Needed: Recognizing the Signs of Memory Loss

Roxanna Guilford-Blake
Heidi Moawad, M.D.
Reviewed By
Published On
June 30, 2025

Memory loss doesn't happen overnight. At first, the changes can be so subtle that you may not even notice. Last Thanksgiving, your dad laughed off forgetting a neighbor's name. This year, he didn't recognize his own street.

Your brain may know that your loved one needs memory care(Opens in a new window), but it hurts your heart to make that decision. It can be especially tough if you are already managing the emotional and physical challenges of caregiving.(Opens in a new window)

But understanding the signs, the evaluation process, and the memory care options available can help you move forward and make the right decisions for everyone involved.

Understanding Normal Aging vs. Memory Impairment

If you're over 40, you may be concerned over your own memory. Don't worry—it's common to forget a name or misplace keys from time to time.

Most of us experience occasional lapses in memory, especially when we're distracted or overwhelmed. However, when forgetfulness becomes more frequent or severe, it may be a sign of something more serious.

Use the guide below to help distinguish between normal aging and cognitive changes related to dementia.

Normal Forgetfulness

  • Forgetting a business associate’s name
  • Misplacing keys or glasses occasionally
  • Being briefly confused about the day of the week
  • Forgetting an appointment but remembering it later
  • Getting distracted and losing train of thought
  • Walking into a room and forgetting why
  • Needing a moment to recall a word

Possible Memory Impairment

  • Frequently forgetting a child’s name
  • Placing items in strange places, such as putting the keys in the freezer
  • Not knowing the year
  • Repeatedly forgetting appointments or events, even with reminders
  • Repeating the same questions or stories within minutes
  • Getting lost in familiar places or not recognizing surroundings
  • Struggling to hold a conversation

Evaluating the Home Environment and Caregiver Burden

Your loved one's memory is only part of the equation. Their current living environment might be dangerous. Stairs, clutter, rugs, and poor lighting can create life-threatening hazards for anyone, but especially for people with cognition challenges. Consider the following questions:

Then ask yourself: Is caregiving affecting my physical or emotional health?

When caring for your loved one at home—yours or theirs—is no longer sustainable, it could be a sign that memory care may offer a better solution for everyone involved.

Key Warning Signs Indicating Memory Care Is Needed

Memory impairment isn't just frustrating. It can lead to serious risks such as wandering or failing to eat. That's why it's important to recognize the early signs of dementia(Opens in a new window). Common signs include:

  • Difficulty with the basics: Trouble dressing, eating, or maintaining personal hygiene
  • Disorientation and wandering: Losing track of time or place, getting lost
  • Increased agitation: Anger(Opens in a new window), paranoia(Opens in a new window), or uncharacteristic aggression.
  • Unsafe behaviors: Leaving the stove on, falling frequently,(Opens in a new window) failing to take medications, or wandering away from home
  • Neglecting finances: Unpaid bills, unusual bank activity
  • Physical decline: Unexplained weight loss, poor grooming

These red flags likely indicate that your loved one may benefit from a safer environment.

"When we see a pattern of cognitive decline combined with behaviors that pose safety risks—such as wandering, medication mismanagement, or inability to perform activities of daily living—it often indicates that the individual may no longer be able to remain safely at home. At that point, memory care becomes not just a support option, but often a necessary intervention," explains Susan Ehrlich, RN, BSN, CPD, Regional Director of Clinical Operations at BrightStar Care.

Assessing Cognitive Decline: When to Seek Professional Evaluation

At this point, you want a professional evaluation to assess whether your loved one is eligible for memory care and what level of support is appropriate. A doctor can identify cognitive changes and distinguish between dementia, other neurological conditions, and potentially reversible issues such as medication side effects, depression, or even a urinary tract infection (UTI)(Opens in a new window).

The evaluation process may include:

  • Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE): Assesses orientation, recall, attention, and language
  • Clock Drawing Test: Measures visual-spatial and executive function
  • Brain imaging or lab tests: Helps rule out non-dementia causes

"Cognitive evaluations such as the MMSE provide objective measures of neurological function. Combined with lab work and imaging, these tools help differentiate between progressive dementia and reversible conditions. This level of clinical clarity allows families to make decisions based on diagnostic evidence rather than fear or guesswork," explains Ehrlich.

Early diagnosis can identify root causes of symptoms and give you time to make plans before an emergency happens.

Understanding Memory Care Facilities

Memory care(Opens in a new window) is a type of long-term care designed for people living with memory loss conditions, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and brain injuries.

Unlike general assisted living, memory care communities provide a safe, supportive environment with 24/7 supervision, structured daily routines, and staff trained specifically in dementia care.

Benefits of Memory Care Communities

While services can vary by community, most memory care facilities provide key features that promote safety, dignity, and quality of life. Among the many benefits of memory care(Opens in a new window) are:

  • Specialized dementia-trained staff: Caregivers are skilled in redirection, communication techniques, and managing dementia-related behaviors with compassion.
  • Secure, accessible environments: Locked exits, simplified floor plans, non-slip surfaces, and fall-prevention design help reduce risks and support safe mobility.
  • Therapeutic, engaging activities: Programs include music, art, cognitive games, and sensory stimulation, each designed to promote memory function and emotional well-being.
  • Coordinated care: Nurses and care teams monitor chronic conditions, manage medications, and coordinate care with outside physicians.
  • Help with daily living: Staff members can assist with bathing, dressing, grooming, and meals as needed, allowing residents to maintain dignity and independence.
  • Safety (with a degree of independence): Residents benefit from 24/7 staff availability and emergency systems, while still enjoying autonomy whenever possible.
  • Social connection: Group activities and informal interactions reduce isolation and foster a sense of community.

Keep in mind that these are not one-size-fits-all facilities. Each memory care plan is personalized to meet the resident's medical, emotional, and cognitive needs.

How BrightStar Care Can Help with Memory Care Needs

Deciding if it's time for your loved one to transition to memory care can be painful; it can even feel like failure. But the truth is, it's one of the most compassionate, protective choices you can make. Choosing memory care isn't giving up. Rather, it's ensuring your loved one receives the dignity, safety, and support they need and deserve.

BrightStar Care can help you get started(Opens in a new window). Whether through personalized, nurse-led in-home care or coordination with trusted memory care communities, our nurses and caregivers are specially trained to assist individuals with memory loss.

Whether you're looking for in-home care services(Opens in a new window) or a reliable medical staffing(Opens in a new window) partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location(Opens in a new window) near you, contact us(Opens in a new window) online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.