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Dementia & Memory Care: A Family's First Steps

Updated June 2026 · 6 min read · ABSeniors
Dementia & Memory Care: A Family's First Steps
Quick answer

If a parent is showing memory loss, start with a medical assessment (family doctor or Health Link 811), make the home safer, bring in in-home dementia care or adult day programs for respite, and plan for secured memory care if safety risks grow.

Noticing memory changes in a parent is frightening, and it's hard to know the first move. This is the calm, practical order most Alberta families follow.

1. Get a medical assessment

Start with the family doctor or Health Link 811. A proper assessment rules out treatable causes and clarifies what you're dealing with — it's the foundation for every decision after.

2. Make the home safer now

  • Remove trip hazards; add grab bars and good lighting.
  • Set up medication reminders or a locked dispenser.
  • Consider stove shut-offs and door alarms if wandering is a risk.

3. Bring in support — and protect the caregiver

In-home dementia care and adult day programs give your parent structure and give family caregivers essential respite. Burnout helps no one; build in breaks early.

4. Know when it's time for memory care

When safety risks outpace what home support can manage — wandering, falls, 24-hour supervision needs — a secured memory care community with trained staff is usually the right, loving step.

Next step

Compare home care with dementia experience and communities with memory care, or get matched to dementia-friendly providers.

Frequently asked questions

What are the first signs it's more than normal aging?
Repeated questions, missed bills, getting lost on familiar routes, trouble with familiar tasks, or safety lapses (leaving the stove on). A medical assessment clarifies what's happening.
When should someone with dementia move to memory care?
When safety risks — wandering, falls, or needing 24-hour supervision — outpace what home support can safely manage. Secured memory care has trained staff and a safer environment.
What's the difference between home care and memory care for dementia?
In-home dementia care supports a person in their own home; memory care is a secured residential community designed for people with dementia. Many families use home care first, then transition.
How do I get a dementia assessment in Alberta?
Begin with the family doctor or call Health Link at 811. They can rule out treatable causes and refer to geriatric or memory specialists if needed.

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This guide is general information for Alberta families, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Costs are orientation estimates from public sources and vary by provider. Always confirm details directly with providers and Alberta Health Services.

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