Memory Care for Aging Adults

Aging comes with many difficulties. One of which is Dementia, or the decline in a person’s cognitive abilities. One of the most common is Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive type of dementia caused by changes in the brain.

It can be challenging to detect if an elderly has dementia. Here are some common signs to look out for to determine if it’s time to consult a doctor:

• Memory lapses
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Language difficulty
• Disorientation
• Impaired abstract thinking
• Diminished judgment
• Behavior or mood changes

A dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming for the elderly and their loved ones, who often become the primary caregivers. Aside from the physical and psychological aspects, there are significant costs associated with dementia care. In cases of Alzheimer’s, as the disease progresses, more and more care is needed. Memory care facilities are available to provide 24/7 support and a community of friends for your loved one.

Memory care offers seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s numerous benefits, including cognitive stimulation, emergency monitoring, and support from specially-trained staff. This can lead to other benefits like a higher quality of life, less use of antipsychotic medications, and improved medical care for other health issues. Some of the most prominent benefits of memory care are:

• Care Coordination: Your loved one’s team will work together, including your aging parent as appropriate, to ensure comprehensive care.
• Staff Knowledge and Competency: The staff can demonstrate training and the necessary skill set to prepare them to work with people who have cognitive impairments.
• Activity Programming Based on Abilities: Activities are available that suit your aging loved one’s cognitive ability, memory, attention span, language, reasoning ability, and physical function.
• Behavior Management: The behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are addressed first through non-pharmacological means, such as taking a look at scheduling, environment, and other possible triggers for the behavior.
• Safe and Supportive Physical Environment: The physical environment is managed by the staff to reduce stress and overstimulation, and to keep all residents safe.

To learn more about dementia, Alzheimer’s, and memory care, here are some helpful resources:

• https://www.caring.com/senior-living/memory-care-facilities/
• https://www.caring.com/senior-living/memory-care-facilities/iowa
• https://www.caring.com/caregivers/alzheimers/
• https://www.caring.com/caregivers/dementia/

Elizabeth Thompson, Community Outreach and Senior Advocate at Caring.com

Because Life is All About Connections

Life Connections provides in-home Behavioral Health Intervention services, Therapy services, autism (ABA) services and Children’s Mental Health waiver services in our 13 office locations and approved schools across Iowa. Life Connections was founded in March of 2009 with the intent to serve the children and families of Cedar Rapids and surrounding cities.

Life Connections is a highly professional and caring counseling and behavioral health provider. We offer a wide array of services to treat mental health issues.

For more information, please call 319-409-6922.

Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255

• Crisis Text line text to 741741
• The Trevor Project – for LGBTQ+ young adult community 866-488-7386

• Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network 800-656-4673