Are Alzheimers Care and Memory Care the Same?
Memory care is a specialized type of service specifically for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other types of memory impairment. Within a memory care community, caregivers monitor and provide support 24 hours a day to the community’s residents. By creating a safe and structured environment, memory care staff can focus on individual strengths and help residents feel more like themselves.
What is Alzheimer’s
More than five million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to rise. As the disease progresses, the person living with Alzheimer’s will require a greater level of care.
In the early stage of Alzheimer’s, a person may function independently. He or she may still drive, work and be part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.
During the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s, dementia symptoms are more pronounced. A person may have greater difficulty performing tasks, such as paying bills, but they may still remember significant details about their life.
In the final stage of this disease, dementia symptoms are severe. Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.
Alzheimers Care may be appropriate at any of these stages depending on the individual. Consult with your or your loved one’s physician.
What to do if you think someone is experiencing memory loss?
There are some common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
Information courtesy of alz.org
Alzheimers Care Begins with Awareness
If you notice any of the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. With early detection, you can explore treatments that may relieve symptoms and help you or your loved one maintain a level of independence longer.
What activities are good for someone with living with dementia?
There are many activities you can do to connect with your loved one. Just be patient and try to choose something they enjoy doing. Explore the list below for inspiration.
- Take a walk
- Water flowers
- Feed the birds
- Sit on a bench or swing
- Listen to music
- Look at family photos
- Play checkers, dominos, or a card game
- Put together a puzzle
- Discuss favorite memories
- Give them a hand massage
- Bake cookies or their favorite dessert
- Set the table
- Put silverware away
What can we do for you and your loved one?
At Bluegrass Senior Living, we understand memory care residents have unique and sometimes significant memory-related needs. Because our approach to memory care is different than other levels of care, our memory care community is designed to be safe and stimulating environments for those experiencing various forms of memory loss.
Specialized memory care is the best solution as residents progress with dementia or cognitive changes. In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
Our Monarch Memory Care Program is recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association® for incorporating the evidence-based Dementia Care Practice Recommendations in the following topic areas: Alzheimer’s and dementia, person-centered care, assessment, and care planning, activities of daily living, and behaviors and communication.
*The Alzheimer’s Association statement of recognition is not an endorsement of the professional training or evaluation of the care provided by the facility. The statement is valid for two years from the date of issue.
If you are responsible for a loved one’s Alzheimer’s care and are stressed, burned out, or looking for help, Bluegrass Senior Living provides a safe, comfortable, home-like environment for residents to thrive. Our secured memory care community offers private rooms and nursing services in a residential setting. Contact us or call us at (859) 474-7856 today.