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The world is aging and so are its people. But while aging is all but a part of life, the effect the illness has on memory that afflicts millions of aging individuals is anything but normal.

According to the World Health Organization, at least 50 million people around the world are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease takes up about 70% of that number. WHO further clarifies: “Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of aging.”

Dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases have baffled experts for many years. But while the cure for these progressive conditions is still underway, memory care assisted living has helped patients function independently while dealing with memory loss and the other effects of these conditions. But for people who are just starting to experience the symptoms of dementia, here are the best doctors to go to for memory care:

A primary care physician

In most cases, the first person you’d like to see is your primary care physician, and this is no different from dementia. Once you start to notice any changes in cognition, it’s very important to seek consultation from your primary care physician right away so he can guide you through the rest of the treatment process.

A neurologist

Once you visit your PCP, several tests will be performed to make sure that what you’re experiencing are signs and symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s. At the end of these tests will be results that could lead to a diagnosis.

But in a lot of instances, a primary care physician would refer you to a neurologist or cognitive specialist for further testing and proper diagnosis, especially when test results are not that clear cut.

A psychologist

More than the physical symptoms, it is the psychological and emotional symptoms that will put more weight into your diagnosis. This is when it counts to have a social worker or psychologist to help you with counseling and support as you settle in to this new normal in your life.

If you need to move to memory care assisted living, the adjustment may seem difficult. But with the help of these professionals, you will be able to cope with the changes while keeping a positive mindset.

A physical therapist and nutritionist

A healthy lifestyle is one of the most important factors in memory care assisted living. Studies have shown that lifestyle changes could contribute to slowing the progression of the disease, so this is when having a nutritionist and physical therapist becomes beneficial.

These professionals will be able to help you make the right changes in your habits while making sure that you are safe.

At the end of the day, being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s and moving to a memory care assisted living facility is no easy journey. But with the right team by your side, you can guarantee the best outcomes from your disease.

After all, it’s about making the most out of your life and not letting dementia or any other health condition stop you from enjoying what life has to offer.

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Alzheimer’s disease is undeniably one of the most dreaded medical conditions in the world today, especially because it affects mostly the elderly. In 2019, more than 5.8 million Americans had Alzheimer’s, 5.6 million of which are individuals aged 65 and older.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the country, killing more people than prostate and breast cancer combined.  

Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease usually stay in memory assisted living facilities where they are given the chance to enjoy an excellent quality of life even as their disease progresses.

One of the most important parts of any memory care plan is to offer these five stimulating activities that help reduce the effects of memory loss, so seniors can still express themselves and build emotional connections with others, especially their loved ones.

Cleaning

Being a progressive disease, Alzheimer’s slowly takes away an individual’s memory causing him to forget even the most mundane tasks that he used to do back when he was younger. This is why memory assisted living facilities to allow residents to do basic chores like wiping the table, folding the laundry and sweeping the floor to promote independence and give them the happiness of being able to accomplish something every day.

Baking or cooking

Aside from cleaning, cooking is one of those simple tasks that could stir up a lot of great memories for seniors. Making meals together with loved ones helps bring back those times when they would cook their recipes at home and this activity is also a great way to foster independence, so seniors can still enjoy cooking or baking while they are in a relatively safe environment.

Reading

Reading books or magazines is such a great way to keep the brain active by feeding them with information. Alzheimer’s disease progresses faster when the brain is stagnant, so reading is encouraged for seniors in memory assisted living to not only keep them informed of the world around them but also stimulate brain activity.

Playing music or doing arts and crafts

There’s always something magical about playing music or doing arts and crafts that make even those who don’t have Alzheimer’s disease happy.

For seniors in memory assisted living facilities, these activities are not only a great way to pass the time but they also keep their brains active to reduce memory impairment, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

Music and art are also great activities to help foster engagement and interaction among residents in these facilities, so they can still build meaningful relationships at this stage in their lives.

Watching family videos

Finally, nothing beats the joy of watching family videos together with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Since memory loss is one of the most devastating effects of the disease, it’s very important for seniors to recall the most important times of their lives by watching videos that help stimulate their brain.

This is also a great bonding activity for residents and their loved ones, as these memories stir emotions that help them maintain their relationship even when their loved one already has severe memory loss.

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

More than 50 million people around the world are suffering from dementia and 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year. The debilitating condition that causes deterioration in thinking, memory, and behavior affects mostly the elderly. This is why it’s very important to send them to memory care assisted living where they can get the assistance they need for doing activities of daily living and ensure that they are safe and in good care all the time. But what exactly does dementia care in assisted living facilities mean?

Memory Care Assisted Living

Currently, there are more than 30,000 assisted living facilities operating in the United States, a lot of which specialize in memory care assisted living to care for patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

These facilities offer round-the-clock supervised care to ensure that residents are in a safe environment where they cannot wander out of the building and put themselves in potential danger.

Environment

Memory care assisted living facilities to give residents the opportunity to express themselves in a healthier way to satisfy their needs. Since these patients tend to revert back to their younger years, these facilities provide them with the environment to fill up a need to prevent them from being agitated.

For instance, if an elderly man wants to feel that he’s still working in an office, the facility will provide him with a desk where he can go through the motions that he’s used to.

Independence

These specialized assisted living facilities understand the need for patients to feel that they are free even when they’re indoors. Some assisted living facilities even try to recreate the resident’s home just to make him feel more safe and secure.

Since separation anxiety is one of the biggest challenges for elderly people who are moving to memory care assisted living facilities, it’s very important to make them feel as comfortable and familiar with their surroundings as possible.

The Best Staff

If you’re looking for the right assisted living facility for a loved one, you have to look for three important things: proper staff training, and organized patient-centered program, and engaging activities for patients with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association released a Dementia Care Practice Recommendations document in 2018 to ensure that all memory care assisted living facilities to follow the best practices for residents with dementia.

It’s also very important for facilities to be accessible to a healthcare team that can help address the health conditions of residents.

The Right Approach

One of the most important components of any good assisted living facility for dementia patients is in its approach to care. A facility should make the effort to understand each patient’s condition carefully because residents have different needs even if they are all living with dementia.

This will help the team create a personalized care plan to ensure that the patient is given the best care possible.

With the elderly population growing more than ever in the coming years, it’s very important for memory care assisted living facilities to make sure that they follow the best practices in caring for patients living with dementia.

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

5.8 million Americans already have Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to reach nearly 14 million by 2050. This year alone, at least 500,000 Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and that number will continue to skyrocket unless actions will be taken now.

For researchers, the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease gives way for prompt treatment through Alzheimer’s care facilities to give patients a better prognosis and quality of life. But how exactly can this dreaded disease be detected before it’s too late?

Brain Imaging

One of the cornerstones of early Alzheimer’s detection today is neuroimaging, which includes computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

These scans offer an image showing the brain tissue’s volume, shape, and position to hopefully determine the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

The more advanced molecular imaging procedures are also now available to detect any changes or abnormalities within the cellular and chemical components of the brain. They include single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and PET scans.

Biological Markers

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease these days relies on detecting signs and symptoms of mental decline, which happens only during the later stages of the disease when brain damage is already severe and the need to go to Alzheimer’s care facilities is already inevitable.

But experts are now looking into biological markers or “biomarkers” as one of the most promising ways to detect the presence of Alzheimer’s disease during its early stages.

A biomarker is similar to let’s say, fasting blood glucose, which at a certain level indicated diabetes. Several biomarkers are now being studied by researchers to help indicate the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Beta-amyloid and tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) together with brain changes seen in neuroimaging can indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s.

Although there are still no validated biomarkers for the disease, researchers are looking into several possible indicators including blood and urine tests, genetic risk profiling and proteins in CSF.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Over the last few years, researchers have found that individuals with MCI are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. This is why research has been focused on the potential of using MCI as one of the determinants of early-stage Alzheimer’s.

Patients suffering from MCI may experience memory problems and other issues with mental function, but not all of them will progress to Alzheimer’s.

This is why researchers are trying to find ways to identify the potential of an MCI developing into Alzheimer’s disease through further testing.

Takeaway

An American develops Alzheimer’s disease every 65 seconds and more people are getting into Alzheimer’s care facilities to be given the proper care and guidance as they battle this disease.

With the aging population outnumbering the younger ones soon enough, they need to diagnose Alzheimer’s early has never been more crucial.

We can only hope that researchers will somehow find ways to help patients live a better life through early detection in the coming years.

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Moving into assisted living facilities is not only stressful for you but also to your pocket. Because no matter how affordable the costs are, there are hidden fees that could add up.

To avoid such a stressful situation, you should be aware of the hidden fees and charges of assisted living. The more you know, the fewer surprises you’ll have to deal with financially.

This article is designed to educate seniors in need of nursing care and their families about the financial requirements of assisted living. Knowing the potential costs will help you make an informed decision before you commit to a facility.

Assisted Living Facilities Services and Costs

Hygiene

You know that laundry services are not always free. What you may not know is that dressing and undressing come with a fee as well. The same is true with bathing and bathroom/incontinence care.

Hidden costs may vary from one facility to another, so it is important to know how much things like these cost:

• dressing/morning hygiene
• undressing/evening hygiene
• Incontinence Care
• Stand-by during 7 showers a week

Medical

Have you ever wondered what’s included in the health care costs in your bill?

What you should be asking about are the services you are receiving. Also, which costs are added on top of the fees of major medical expenses. These are:

• Health training before moving into assisted living facilities
• An on-site doctor or pharmacy access
• Management of medication
• Treatment for temporary illness or wounds
• Monitoring of blood pressure and or blood glucose
• Insulin injections

If you happen to be diabetic, expect to pay hidden medical costs.

Mobility and some Forms of Assistance

Nearly every form of help that you receive from staff, comes with a price.

Did you know that some facilities will charge when they escort you to and from the activity center or the dining room? The same is true for the following:

• Reminding you to take your medication, to go to the bathroom every few hours, or to get therapy.
• Checking in on you at regular intervals
• Transporting you to the doctor’s office, area shops, and other places
• Admission or discharge
• Your use of telephone and/or on-site gym or spa
• Some facilities even include deep-cleaning charges

How much to Expect in Hidden Charges?

When added up, hidden costs can range from $3,500 to $4000 on top of the basic accommodation rental and services. If you need a great deal of assistance, expect the numbers to increase too.

In memory care facilities, fees for personalized care is often all-inclusive since the expectation is that you’ll need 24-hour assistance and monitoring.

Make sure to always check your bill. If you see any prepaid services that you did not use, make sure to ask for a refund. Before you do, however, check any related policies. The hidden cost of your discharge, for example, could be outlined in a facility’s discharge policies as non-refundable.

Ask the right questions when comparing assisted living facilities so you can make the right choice without burning a hole in your pocket.

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper