memory care
Dementia & Wandering: Tips to Keep Your Loved One Safe
Wandering is one of the most common and concerning behaviors associated with dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, between 35% and 60% of people with dementia will wander at some point. However, wandering does not have to be an inevitable crisis. While it can create fear and stress for families, this challenging behavior can be managed with preparation and understanding.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias that provides 24-hour supervision, cognition-supporting activity programs, and help with activities of daily living within a secure, safe environment. Memory care can help people at any stage of dementia live fuller lives and maintain function for the longest possible time.
Benefits of Montessori Programming for Dementia
Many traditional approaches to dementia care focus on managing the symptoms and behaviors of the disease, rather than enhancing the quality of life and the potential of the person. Fortunately, approaches like the Montessori method are shedding light on new ways to support seniors with dementia and improve their quality of life.
The Role of Lifestyle in Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
As we age, our odds increase for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. While there are some risk factors outside of our control (like age and genetics), others are determined by our lifestyle choices. Here are some of the potentially modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
What to Look for When Choosing a Memory Care Facility
Memory care offers a level of support similar to assisted living. However, the accommodations include more comprehensive services, cognition-supporting activity programs, specially trained staff, and a more secure environment – all of which enable a fulfilling lifestyle that can positively impact one’s rate of neurocognitive decline. When choosing a memory care facility, it is essential to consider the following factors in your decision.
Tips on Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease
When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s not uncommon for family members to become their primary caregivers. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease at home – where the environment is familiar to them – is beneficial. However, it can also be very challenging. Establishing a daily routine, creating a safe home environment, planning engaging activities, improving communication, and planning for respite care will give you a roadmap in your caregiving journey.
Advice for Moving a Parent with Dementia to Memory Care
Moving a parent with dementia to a memory care facility can be a daunting and emotionally charged experience for everyone involved. However, transitioning to memory care can also be an opportunity to provide your parent with the specialized care they need and help them live life better. If you’ve decided that memory care is right for your loved one’s needs, use these tips to make the process of transitioning to memory care as smooth as possible.
Benefits of Music Therapy for Seniors
Music therapy is a well-studied intervention used in hospitals, memory care communities, rehabilitation centers, and senior living settings across the country. In this post, we will explain what music therapy is, why it works, how it can benefit older adults, and how families can begin incorporating its principles at home.