When an older loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, life changes for their entire family. That's because dementia is a progressive disease that will slowly take away one's memory or the ability to carry out Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) over time.
Many families choose to step in and provide ongoing care for their loved ones. However, as the person goes further into their dementia journey, they might become harder to handle. Episodes of aggressiveness and wandering are not uncommon in people with this condition.
Unfortunately, not everyone is trained or equipped to care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, especially in the later stages. There will come a time when the family will seek out alternate care options that will look after their loved ones properly and keep them safe.
One excellent option is Memory Care. As part of specialized Assisted Living senior communities, Memory Care facilities are places where people with dementia or other degenerative cognitive conditions can move in full-time for treatment.
Treatment in Memory Care is based on engagement to exercise the brain and limit the decline of cognitive function. In other words, active engagement within the Memory care program can help the older adult function and slow the progression of the disease.
Here are nine ways that Memory Care staff engage with older adults to help them enjoy an optimal quality of life:
1. Structure
Often those with dementia have difficulty organizing their daily activities. The Memory Care community is great for creating a structured environment geared to help those with dementia throughout the entire day with a daily routine that is often comforting to the person suffering from dementia. Keeping residents active during the day also helps them sleep through the night.
2. Socialization
Just because you have dementia does not mean being around other people is not important. Families shouldn’t overlook the power of being in a “community” as opposed to remaining at home often spending significant time alone without regular contact from others. Socialization helps promote brain function through listening and communicating, helping to slow the effects of the disease.
3. Physical activities
Movement is directly correlated to improved cognitive abilities in everyone, including older adults with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Memory Care staff specialize in getting residents to move around, even if they're participating from a wheelchair. Physical activities also improve engagement and provide better overall health and well-being for the residents.
4. Music therapy
Music therapy is an essential part of dementia care. Music memories are stored in a different part of the brain than the disease is attacking, so older adults with dementia respond particularly well to music. Music can also get people singing, tapping along, or up and moving around to the beat.
5. Arts and crafts
Artistic activities are among the most popular things to do in Memory Care as they offer older people a chance to express how they're feeling, exercise their brain and hand connection, and participate in something fun and interactive. Creative activities that stimulate brain function and increase engagement include painting, coloring, scrapbooking, crocheting, knitting, and more.
6. Game Nights
Interactivity is Memory Care's secret weapon to improving engagement! Playing games is the perfect way to create valuable interactive experiences. Board games, puzzles, and scavenger hunts all provide a level of fun while stimulating brain activity and building relationships with others.
7. Movie Nights
Movie nights bring an air of excitement to Memory Care. Whether introducing a new film to the residents or replaying an old favorite, these special events give the residents a chance to be engaged with the plot, characters, and storyline, which provides their brain a good workout.
8. Ongoing learning opportunities
Another highly effective strategy to encourage brain activity is through mentally stimulating learning opportunities. Many Memory Care communities offer lessons in computers, technology, art, and photography and lectures about history, travel, and other exciting topics to satisfy almost every interest.
9. Online visitation
One of the best ways to prevent boredom and inspire engagement in someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is having regular visits with family and close friends. Although in-person visits are always encouraged, Memory Care staff understand that you can't be there as often as you'd like. That's why many Memory Care facilities have tablets available for residents to chat with loved ones over Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, or other video chat platforms.
Memory Care communities offer these services so families can have more enjoyable visits with their older loved ones instead of just playing a caregiver role. Memory Care programming also helps accentuate each resident's strengths, help them feel their best, and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
Consider Memory Care a viable option to help your elderly loved one through their dementia journey. These caring communities offer services and support that bring your entire family peace of mind while preserving joy and happiness in the older person's life in an environment that helps them thrive.
Help with finding Memory Care Communities in the Greater Cincinnati Area
When it's time to search for Independent Living, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's/Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Community living options for an elderly relative, you need to make the most informed decision possible. That can be difficult to do when trying to navigate this confusing and complex process, especially when you're doing it for the first time.
Make the best choice on where your loved one will spend their vintage years with help from David Flautt of Assisted Living Locators of Greater Cincinnati.
David takes the time to get to know your loved one's situation, answer all of your questions, and present a list of the best-matched Senior Living Communities in the Greater Cincinnati Area. David or one of his team will even accompany you on your community tours to ensure that all the right questions are answered so you can make the most informed choice possible.
Contact David at 513-914-1980 or davidf@assistedlivinglocators.com to start finding the best senior living services for your elderly loved one today.
