Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can be overwhelming to deal with for seniors and their families. Cognitive decline leads to an increased need for support and daily care. There are physical and mental aspects to dealing with a dementia diagnosis. Unprepared families may experience elevated stress that impacts health and relationships.
Dementia isn’t something that you and your loved one must face alone. Resources are available to provide care and support. One of the biggest assets you have on your side is memory care.
Are Memory Care and Assisted Living the Same?
While memory care and assisted living are closely related, they are not the same. It’s important to know what your loved one needs or may need in the future, before choosing a senior community. Both facilities will provide:
- Nutritious meals every day
- A comfortable, clean place to live
- Staff to administer care and support
- Access to social activities and groups
- Access to medical care and other services
Memory care is considered a higher level of care because it provides increased security and support. Staff will include people who are specially trained to work with seniors who have dementia.
The daily schedule may also vary. Assisted living communities encourage socialization with groups and events geared toward the general senior population. Memory care does the same thing, but usually with activities that are more suitable for adults with cognitive decline. Memory care will also work with more structured schedules because routines help dementia patients remain independent.
Both services are also equipped to handle an increase in care needs. However, assisted living may not be able to accommodate someone who has more extreme needs due to dementia.
Many assisted living communities make it easier for seniors to find the right level of care by providing both options. Seniors who are in the early stages of dementia or are diagnosed while in assisted living can eventually move to memory care without leaving the community. This makes transitioning from one to the other easier and less traumatic for the resident.
Older adults who do not have dementia should consider the 5 ways that assisted living helps families of seniors. There are still many benefits for those not facing memory loss and cognitive decline.
How Does Memory Care Make Life Better for Seniors with Dementia?
The needs of a senior with dementia will become more demanding over time. This can be stressful for family caregivers who may not be trained to handle the effects of cognitive disorders. Memory care is equipped to provide the attention and support needed while reducing the burden placed on families.
How does memory care make life better for seniors with dementia?
- Increased Security and Safety to Prevent Wandering
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six out of every 10 dementia patients will wander at least once. Many do so more than once. Wandering is very dangerous because it can cause a senior to become lost or end up in a dangerous situation.
Families may notice signs of wandering like returning late for no reason, forgetting how to get to familiar places, or talking about fulfilling obligations they no longer have like going to work. They may also have difficulty finding their bedroom, bathrooms, or other places within their own home.
Other signs include pacing, restlessness, repetitive movements, and acting as though they are doing something but nothing is done.
Memory care is built with safety in mind. Doors and windows are locked so that patients cannot wander outside of the facility. There is 24-hour monitoring, so your loved one is never left alone.
- Ensures Ongoing Good Nutrition and Hygiene
One of the common side effects of dementia is poor nutrition and hygiene. Patients may forget to eat and bathe. This can quickly become a bigger health issue because food is essential to sustaining life and cleanliness helps prevent infection.
Memory care staff provide support for dining, bathing, and grooming. They will ensure that your loved one is fed and stays clean. They can provide the level of care needed while allowing the resident to remain as independent as possible.
- Cognitive Stimulation Therapy to Improve Functioning
Memory care staff organize activities that help improve brain function. These can be fun and promote thinking and memory use. Common cognitive stimulation therapy activities include puzzles, games, music, and discussions. They may also engage in activities like gardening and baking.
The types of activities provided will be based on the resident’s ability. Staff are on hand to supply support and encouragement.
- Structured Daily Schedules to Reduce Stress and Promote Independence
Surprises can cause anxiety and stress in dementia patients. This can lead to behavioral issues, which make it harder for the individual to function independently.
Memory care provides a structured daily schedule for each resident. Having a routine lowers stress and helps seniors understand their environment. It also enables them to continue doing activities without triggering behavioral issues. Being able to complete tasks on their own promotes self-esteem and gives dementia patients a sense of control in their lives.
- Supplies Social Interactions That Are Essential to Mental Wellness
Socializing has been connected to the progression of dementia. Seniors who socialize may notice slowed progression or even regain some cognitive function.
Dementia can make it difficult to continue socializing independently. Memory care promotes formal and informal socialization. Residents can interact with their neighbors and staff. Staff organize gatherings and events and ensure that all residents have access to these group activities.
Socialization is essential to the emotional wellbeing of seniors with dementia.
- Support and Encouragement for Families of Dementia Patients
Dealing with a loved one who has dementia isn’t easy. It can be scary and intimidating for families. Memory care can facilitate better relationships by encouraging families to visit and engage with their loved ones. Memory care creates a comfortable setting that allows friends and family to maintain a bond with their loved ones.
Memory care also reduces stress. Family members who were caregivers no longer have to cope with the increasing needs of a loved one and can instead focus the time spent together on more fun or meaningful activities. It dissolves the emotional tension that can form when trying to juggle responsibilities with the care of a parent or grandparent who has dementia.
How Do I Know If My Senior Loved One Needs Memory Care?
Discussing memory care isn’t easy, but it’s necessary when an older loved one starts showing worrying symptoms of cognitive decline. You can look for 10 signs that your elder parent needs memory care assistance. It can also help to talk to a medical professional.
Moving into memory care will significantly improve the quality of life of a senior with dementia.
The health and well-being of our parents as they age is a significant concern for many of us. It’s especially crucial when it comes to their cognitive state. If you’ve been noticing some changes in your parent’s behavior or memory, it’s natural to worry. However, understanding what these changes mean and knowing when to seek professional help is the key. This article will guide you through recognizing the top 10 signs that suggest your elderly parents might require professional memory support.
Understanding the Importance of Identifying Early Signs of Memory Problems
Recognizing the early warning signs of cognitive decline or memory problems is vital, especially when it comes to our aging loved ones. This can help us be better equipped to provide them with the necessary support they may need and ensure they receive appropriate healthcare assistance in a timely manner.
Spotting The Early Memory Problem Indicators
It’s key that we familiarize ourselves with these 10 primary indicators associated with memory issues:
1. Memory loss disrupting daily life: Everyone forgets things from time to time, but if your parent consistently forgets recently learned information or asks for the same details repeatedly, this might be a concern.
2. Difficulty planning or solving problems: If you notice an inability or decreased ability to develop and follow plans such as following recipes or calculating bills, it could indicate an issue.
3. Misplacing Items frequently: We all lose keys now and then; however if objects start getting placed in unusual spots on a regular basis – like finding glasses inside the refrigerator – that’s worth noting.
4. Inability to retrace steps: Typically people can remember their way back after losing something by retracing steps taken before which becomes challenging for someone battling memory issues.
5. The Decline in Work Performance: Those still working having observable difficulties handling projects and tasks where they excelled before should raise eyebrows.
6 . Getting Confused about Time & Place: A disrupted sense of time leading them to feel lost even at places previously well known poses a sign too.
7 . Difficulties understanding visual information: Problems judging distance, color shades differentiating between movements, and stationery items are symptomatic.
8 . Retraction from social activities and hobbies once enjoyed showing decreased interest denotes a clear indicator.
9 . Frequent changes in mood personality: Rapid swings between emotions especially irritability, confusion fear among familiar surroundings could signify memory problems.
10. Difficulty communicating: Regularly struggling to find words or follow conversations is a serious signal demonstrating potential cognitive issues.
Acting on the Signs
Remember, these signs may not conclusively indicate your parent has a memory problem as they might be due to other health-related conditions too. Nevertheless, any evident persistence of such symptoms necessitates an immediate medical consultation.
You’re Not Alone – Seek Professional Help!
Detecting early signs doesn’t mean you are alone in this journey. There are professionals out there who can help navigate through it and provide appropriate guidance for both your and your loved one’s well-being.
Please reach out to our team of experts handling Memory Care Support if you notice any of the above indications prominently persisting with time.
Also remember, acknowledging these changes takes courage but ensuring your aging parents obtain accurate diagnosis treatment best suited to their needs does count towards the love and care we offer them during tough times like these.
Things change as we age. Frailty and health conditions make it harder to take care of ourselves on our own. Many seniors face challenges due to decreased mobility, loss of strength, or cognitive decline. While each person ages differently, many of these are common problems that can’t be ignored.
Talking to a loved one about assisted living isn’t easy. It isn’t just a practical decision – it is also an emotional one. Most adults don’t want to leave the home that they know. To many, making the transition to senior care implies that they have lost their independence.
The reality is that seniors of all ability levels choose to move into assisted living. Doing so gives them many advantages, especially the social benefits of living in an assisted living community. Elderly people can become isolated, which can lead to an increased risk of health problems and depression. Making the move helps prevent these issues before they appear.
The first step is knowing when it is time to move to assisted living. Vista Living senior care helps families make this important decision every year. We suggest using the following questions to help you decide if you should have the talk about assisted living with your aging loved one.
· Do They Struggle to Keep Up with Daily Medications?
Keeping up with medications is essential to staying healthy. Some seniors begin to struggle with taking the right dose at the right time. This could be remedied with a weekly or monthly pill box if it is a minor issue.
If the problem persists, then it should be treated as a red flag. This is especially true if you see empty or expired pill bottles or unfilled prescriptions lying around.
Assisted living facilities offer medication management that keeps residents on track with their treatment plans. It eases the burden placed on seniors to keep up as well as their families who may feel like they have to monitor their loved one’s prescriptions.
· Have They Had More Vehicle Accidents or Near Misses?
Many see driving as a normal part of being an adult. It gives us the freedom to move around. As we age, our vision and hearing may diminish. Other health conditions can also make it hard to navigate and react quickly in a vehicle.
If your loved one has had an accident, near misses, or seems to have dings and damage on their car frequently, this should not be ignored. They may no longer be able to drive safely.
Assisted living communities are built for convenience. They provide everything residents need to live comfortably. Many also have salon and barber services on-site and care providers who come to the location to administer services. Many also plan group trips that include transportation for residents so they can go out into the community without becoming a risk on the road.
· Is Their Home Starting to Look Dirty, Sloppy, or Unmaintained?
A senior’s home environment can tell you a lot about their state of mind and physical condition. If a previously well-kept home is suddenly dirty, sloppy, or disorganized, your loved one may be having difficulties.
It’s hard to keep up with chores and home maintenance when mobility decreases or physical ailments slow us down. It also can be challenging to ask for help. If your loved one’s home is looking unmaintained or unhygienic, it is time to talk about assisted living.
Assisted living communities provide housekeeping, laundry, and other services so your loved one is always in a clean, comfortable environment.
· Do They Show Signs of a Lack of Grooming and Bathing?
Activities of daily living are something that we often take for granted when we are young. We can bathe, groom, and dress ourselves with no problem – until we can’t. Older people sometimes struggle to handle these tasks on their own. They may not be able to move like they once did or may lose their balance when trying to get in and out of the shower.
Assisted living staff are trained to provide support for activities of daily living. These activities are essential to staying healthy. Being clean also boosts self-esteem, which has a direct impact on a person’s mental health.
· Is There a Lot of Old or Spoiled Food in Their Kitchen?
Nutrition is another area that suffers when someone cannot care for themselves. Do you notice a lot of old or spoiled food sitting around the kitchen? Are they lacking food? It can become difficult to go out, buy groceries, bring them home, and prepare meals when age-related conditions get in the way.
You should also pay close attention to your loved one’s weight. Do they appear to be losing or gaining weight for no reason? This could imply a change in diet.
Seniors in assisted living are served three nutritious meals a day, usually with snacks. Staff ensures that residents are eating so no one ever goes hungry.
· Have They Shown a Loss of Interest in Activities They Once Loved?
Senior care isn’t just about physical wellness, it is also about mental health. If your loved one has lost interest in activities that they once loved, they may be displaying the signs of depression.
It’s not easy figuring out how to discuss assisted living with a parent, but it’s important to find a way to help them.
Mental health has a direct impact on a person’s overall happiness and quality of life. Assisted living helps seniors connect with care providers like therapists. It also prevents isolation and depression with community activities and social opportunities.
· Are They Falling Behind on Bills and Not Managing Finances?
Even if they have the money, a senior may start to fall behind on bills and not manage their finances properly. In cases involving cognitive decline, they may start making very poor decisions that lead to monetary losses. This also makes them more susceptible to fraud.
Seniors who are suddenly struggling to manage finances should not be left to figure it out for themselves. They could lose their retirement funds or worse. Assisted living helps simplify the process by combining all their bills into one monthly fee, It also provides a layer of protection against financial abuse and fraud.
· Has Their Mood Changed or Do They Seem Fatigued?
The grumpy old person is a common stereotype, but it isn’t rooted in reality. Older people aren’t inherently mean-spirited or unhappy. This is not a normal part of aging.
If your loved one is showing moodiness, fatigue, depression, or irritability, they may have something else going on. They could be experiencing a mental health condition or signs of dementia.
Moving into assisted living reduces stress and helps seniors thrive. It stops isolation, which can prevent depression.
· Are They Frequently Forgetting Things, People, or Places?
Everyone forgets something at some point. Doing so once or twice isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. However, if your loved one seems to forget things, people, or places often, then they need help.
Forgetfulness or losing their sense of direction frequently can indicate a cognitive issue. Your loved one should be checked out by a doctor. And in the meantime, you may want to bring up the topic of assisted living.
A facility like Vista Living memory care can provide support and security that protects your loved one in case they become lost, confused, or forget something important.
· Do They Seem Unsteady on Their Feet or Have Had a Fall?
Fall injuries are a big risk for seniors. One bad fall can cause immense pain and even shorten an elderly person’s life. The average home is a relatively safe place for most people, but some commonly used structures and furnishings are obstacles to someone experiencing frailty.
Stairs, low-sitting furniture, power cords, and rugs can all turn into tripping hazards. Someone with declining mobility may also need specialized equipment, like a chair lift, to move safely.
Assisted living is designed with this in mind. Facilities have wider hallways and doorways for wheelchairs and walkers. They also have staff on hand to help with walking, standing, sitting, or whatever your loved one needs.
If you notice the signs discussed above, then it may be time to have a conversation with your loved one about moving into assisted living.
Memory care provides families with a reliable housing option for elderly loved ones with cognitive decline. Finding the right place is essential. You are trusting the facility you choose with the health and well-being of your parent or grandparent. The location and staff must be up to the task so that your loved one can thrive.
A memory care unit is designed to provide a safe environment for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Daily life is structured with routines to reduce stress. Staff assists with personal care as needed. Residents receive regular meals and are provided support and activities to help them live as comfortably and fully as possible.
Paradise Valley senior care community on East Hummingbird Lane includes memory care. Families in Arizona can rest easy knowing that their loved one is in good hands with us.
A Cozy Place to Call Home with Breathtaking Mountain Views
One of the first things visitors notice when they arrive at Paradise Valley Senior Care is the view.
Our facility is nestled within a quiet community with a breathtaking mountain backdrop. Take in Camelback Mountain to the south or Mummy Mountain to the east. The Phoenix Mountains Preserve is located to the north.
Nature is inspiring. It’s good for the mind, body, and soul. Our residents can live well while gaining the benefits of fresh mountain air and gorgeous natural scenery.
Inside, our 10,000 square foot retirement community welcomes residents with luxury living. Our senior home includes 12-foot-tall ceilings with 35 floor-to-ceiling windows. You don’t have to go outside to enjoy views of the local landscape. It’s the perfect setting to relax and enjoy life.
Our staff makes the experience even better by providing excellent care and support. We believe that every resident is an individual. Their needs may not be the same as those of their neighbors. That’s why we develop a custom care plan for each resident and provide the level of assistance required based on mobility and need.
Residents can live as independently as possible, with options for increased support should their health status change.
Paradise Valley Memory Care Services and Amenities
Assisted living works well for some seniors but may not be enough for others. Dementia will gradually deteriorate a person’s ability to live on their own. They may no longer be able to handle activities of daily living like grooming, bathing, and dining.
This isn’t usually something that happens immediately. Rapidly progressing dementia can occur over weeks to months but can also take as long as 3 years to progress.
The average person with Alzheimer’s disease will live between 3 and 11 years, but some survive for over 20 years. Taking care of a loved one who is dealing with a progressive condition for that long can be extremely taxing for a family. In some cases, it may be difficult or even impossible to address all their care and safety needs at home.
Paradise Valley’s memory care unit provides a better alternative that’s optimized for people in this situation. We do more than feeding, bathing, and cleaning. We also provide opportunities for socialization and enrichment.
We give residents a place to thrive, where they can live as fully as possible without putting themselves at risk. Our goal is to enhance lives while providing support that matches the resident’s needs, even as they change.
Seniors who move into our memory care facility receive:
- A safe place that is secure to prevent wandering or unauthorized access
- A structured lifestyle that helps dementia patients retain independence
- Access to support 24 hours a day for all personal care needs
- Opportunities to socialize and participate in group activities
- A way to live as normal and happy as possible for years
- Peace of mind for families of dementia patients
Assisted Living with Personalized Memory Care
Vista Living Senior Care’s Paradise Valley provides a long-term solution for families with aging loved ones. Our assisted living accommodations are ideal for older adults who need support but can still do many things on their own.
For people who are in the early stages of dementia or who have a higher risk of developing the disease, we provide a convenient option. Join our community and have access to the resources you need if or when the time comes. You can remain in the same place but receive the level of care you or your loved one needs, even as those needs increase.
A major life event like a move can be upsetting for people with later-stage dementia. It can affect the health and well-being of any elderly person. Transitioning to an assisted living community like Paradise Valley can ease the burden of making the move later.
Residents can remain with us even as the disease progresses, lowering stress and helping families feel more secure about going to assisted living.
Learn More About Memory Care at Paradise Valley
We take our job very seriously when it comes to patient health, safety, and happiness. That’s why we offer a full list of amenities in a beautiful residential senior care home. Our experienced staff members are available to answer questions and provide support for residents and their families.
Discover why so many Arizona families trust us to care for their aging loved ones. Visit our website now to see photos of our facility or to learn more about our services. You can schedule an in-person tour so you can see what life is like at Vista Living Paradise Valley.
