It's Time For A Care Home

Sometimes it's hard to know when a family member's cognitive functions begin to deteriorate. People often say, "He was always like this, except now it's worse," in reference to paranoia, irritability, bossiness, sneakiness, or whatever negative personality trait is no longer inhibited.

Eventually it becomes impossible to deny what is happening. He leaves the front door standing open. Her car is covered in little dents and scrapes. He leaves plates of food spoiling in odd locations around the house. She is convinced that strange urban legends are actually true. He makes disastrous financial decisions. She tells long stories about her life that never happened. He gets lost on the way to the grocery store. She doesn't recognize her sister. He thinks Haiti is part of Venezuela. She is convinced that the new neighbors ate someone's cat.

Sad as it is, the time has come to take away the keys and consider safer living arrangements.