Living With Dementia: The Benefits of Memory Care

In 2021, it’s estimated that 6.2 million Americans across the US are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. This means many family members are facing the challenges of how to care for the afflicted in their life.

Living with dementia presents many challenges, not only for the patient but also for those who’re responsible for them.

While some families may try dealing with dementia on their own, most look for an assisted living facility.

Within an assisted living community, there are often memory care options to help with the specific needs of an Alzheimer’s patient.

Read on to learn about some of the many benefits of memory care.

Specialized Services

The symptoms and needs of a dementia patient are unique. They require a facility and staff that understands the unique needs of this type of patient.

A memory care unit can provide the specialized services needed for this type of illness.

24-Hour Support

Dementia is a progressive disease that will worsen with time. As it worsens, it’s likely the patient will need more care, often round-the-clock care.

Families often find it too challenging to provide this kind of support themselves from home.

As dementia patients’ symptoms worsen, they often have more erratic schedules and sleep patterns. The round-the-clock care is beneficial in this scenario.

Highly Trained Caregivers

Because dementia patients often present with specific and unique needs, memory care units hire and train their staff to meet those unique needs.

This training allows them to more closely monitor subtle changes in the dementia patient’s symptoms.

This can be an emotionally taxing disease for the patient and the family. These trained caregivers are equipped to help navigate these challenges.

Physical Safety

One unfortunate symptom of dementia is the patient’s wandering. Their wandering can be dangerous to them if not caught.

Memory care facilities provide a secure, safe environment that prevents them from wandering, getting lost, or hurt.

Sometimes one of the most important elements of care for dementia patients is preventing them from getting into a dangerous situation.

Engagement

Many dementia patients will enter memory care and still have some functioning cognition. The memory care units know how important it is for these patients to stay engaged.

The more actively a dementia patient can use their brain, the more they can help to resist the disease.

Interesting and engaging activities are key to keeping the mind working for a dementia patient.

Individualized Care

The sad reality of this disease is that it impacts every patient differently. It’s important for the staff to get to know the patient.

When the staff knows the personal life story, strengths, and experiences of the patient they are better able to connect with them and provide a more personalized level of care.

Living With Dementia and Caring for Your Senior

Living with dementia is challenging and heartbreaking. If you have a loved one suffering from dementia, you want them to be safe and well cared for. Often this means seeking out specialized memory care.

For more health-related articles like this one, be sure to visit our blog page often.