It can sometimes be difficult to find time to care for your senior loved one, let alone yourself. But staying healthy is one of the best things you can do to provide the support your loved one needs.

Arranging a short stint in a nursing home is one way to get some time to rest and recover, especially if you are caring for someone at home. Taking care of your mental health is also important, and there are many benefits to seeking out a circle of support to help you when times are difficult.

Look for the following signs in your loved one. Having one or more of these issues might mean moving them to an elderly care center might be the best option.

Aggression

Violent aggression frequently happens in those with dementia, and caregivers or other family members may suffer or begin to feel resentful.

Caregiver Stress

Caregiver symptoms like increased stress can be just as telling a sign as the dementia behaviors described above. If you are feeling isolated and alone, or if you begin to feel resentful of your loved one, it might be time to examine the source of those feelings

Escalating Care Needs

Ask yourself: “Are the person’s care needs beyond my physical abilities?” or “Is the health of the person with dementia or my health as a caregiver at risk?” If you’re answering yes to those questions, it might be time to have that tough family conversation.

Home Safety

Consider your senior family member’s health and your own abilities to care for them. Is the person with dementia unsafe in their current home?

Sundowning

“Sundowners syndrome” — very agitated behavior that becomes more pronounced later in the day — is a common characteristic of those with Alzheimer’s. This can take a heavy toll on caregivers, and when it begins to severely disrupt family routines, this may be a sign that the caregiving burden is too hard to handle.

Wandering

In later stages of dementia, the risk posed by wandering becomes much greater. The probability of falls and injuries increases.