When families first notice changes in a loved one’s memory or behavior, the instinct is often to wait and observe. Hoping things will improve or believing it’s “not time yet” is natural, but a wait-and-see approach can also take a heavy toll on you and your family.
At The Kensington Bethesda, we’ve seen the cost of delay on families and loved ones, such as emotional exhaustion, escalating healthcare needs, and higher long-term expenses.
While considering the price of memory care is important, you also need to consider the hidden costs of waiting. Choosing support earlier can protect your well-being, safeguard your finances, and ease family stress.
Guided by Our Promise to love and care for your family as we do our own, The Kensington Bethesda communities are built to help families thrive, not just cope.
Emotional Costs of Waiting
One of the biggest costs of waiting is the emotional toll it can take on families and full-time caregivers. While caregiving is a supreme act of altruism, it can quickly become overwhelming. Many caregivers are burdened with:
- Burnout and guilt. Family caregivers often experience stress, anxiety, and guilt, especially when balancing work and children. Over time, emotional exhaustion can impact relationships and health.
- Social isolation. As care needs grow, families may reduce social activities, leading to feelings of isolation for both the caregiver and their loved one.
At The Kensington Bethesda, we’ve witnessed the relief families feel once they transition their loved one into memory care. Programs like our Kensington Club, Connections, and Haven neighborhoods offer structured engagement and compassionate supervision, easing the burden families carry alone.
To provide additional caregiver support, we offer resources to help families navigate the emotional toll of waiting too long.
Financial Costs of Waiting
As we previously mentioned, several families try to put off memory care for their loved ones because they worry about the price tag. The irony is that delaying memory care can actually increase financial strain. This can result in:
- Emergency care expenses from falls, hospital visits, and urgent medical interventions.
- Home modifications and in-home care that can include costs for safety adaptations, in-home nurses, and part-time aides.
- Lost income due to family members having to give up work hours, or even having to sacrifice their job entirely.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia-related care is one of the most expensive healthcare costs in the U.S. Acting earlier helps families better plan for expenses and avoid financial surprises.
Health Risks of Delaying Care
In addition to the stress put upon the family, delaying memory care can also adversely affect the sufferer. This can result in:
- Safety concerns such as missed medications, wandering, or kitchen mishaps.
- Faster decline without the aid of cognitive stimulation and social engagement.
- A decline in caregiver health due to stress, fatigue, and lack of support.
At The Kensington Bethesda, our memory care neighborhoods provide personalized support from early to late-stage memory loss. Our neighborhoods are designed to meet changing needs, preventing unnecessary moves and providing continuity of care.
The Benefits of Acting Early
Getting a loved one into memory care early doesn’t just reduce costs, though. It also gives your loved ones several benefits.
For instance, when you get a loved one into memory care, they get to enjoy consistent routines and enriching activities, all in a secure environment. This both helps slow mental decline and enhances quality of life.
Moving a loved one into memory care also takes a huge burden off of families. When the weight of being a caregiver gets lifted, families no longer have to worry about money or logistics. Instead, they get to focus on themselves and each other, and simply appreciate the joy of day-to-day living.
Memory care can even bring couples closer together. Programs like our couples care allow spouses to remain connected while receiving tailored support.
Long-Term Value for Families and Teams
One of the most overlooked benefits of early memory care is the relationship residents and families build with our dedicated team. The Kensington Bethesda is proud of our long-term careers in assisted living. Their experience ensures continuity of care and strong emotional bonds with residents.
For families, this longevity translates into trust, consistency, and stability, qualities that reduce the hidden emotional costs of waiting. For our team, it reflects high senior living job satisfaction, rooted in purpose and Our Promise.
How to Begin the Conversation
Starting the conversation about memory care is never easy. However, waiting until a crisis arises can make the transition harder on everyone. Instead, approach the discussion with compassion and openness.
First, acknowledge the challenges. Recognize the stress that being a caregiver can place on you, your loved one, and your family. Try not to make anyone feel guilty.
Next, focus on the benefits of memory care. Emphasize safety, quality of life, and the ability to engage with more people.
Finally, invite your loved ones to tour the community. Seeing The Kensington Bethesda firsthand can help ease the fear of and resistance to getting memory care.
Peace of Mind Can’t Wait
It’s no secret that memory care can be costly. However, delaying memory care can cost even more. You might save money, but you’ll pay more in stress, health risks, and time spent away from friends and family. By putting a loved one in memory care earlier, families can not only protect everyone’s well-being but also preserve their own health and strengthen their financial security.
At The Kensington Bethesda, our team’s longevity and compassion are key reasons why we are considered one of the most trusted senior living communities. Explore our neighborhoods, meet our team, and discover how early memory care can provide peace of mind.
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule a private tour and let us help your family write a new chapter, one filled with dignity, joy, and peace of mind.