Assisted Living Helps With Memory Care After a Dementia Diagnosis

Dementia: Assisted Living Saraland AL

Dementia: Assisted Living Saraland AL

There are numerous options for elder care. Whether a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, which can include Alzheimer’s or not is actually irrelevant to choosing the right elder care for you or them. However, when somebody is dealing with some form of dementia, memory care becomes crucial.

A memory care assisted living community is an invaluable asset for those who are struggling with the advancing stages of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. A memory care facility should be staffed with experienced people who know the best ways to handle outbursts, confusion, and even isolation.

How Assisted Living Can Help Regain Footing

Even though you aren’t the one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, that doesn’t mean things are easy for you. In fact, they can be downright difficult. Almost impossible (at least that’s how it can feel some days).

You think about all of the worst-case scenarios. You think to the future and wonder how things are going to be when your mother or father or other loved one can no longer recognize you. You don’t want to get to that point, but you know, unless things dramatically change in the next few years, that’s likely what’s going to happen.

Family Caregivers

Most family caregivers become overwhelmed. They simply don’t know the best way to handle the situation. They can have all the patience in the world, but become short, with a short fuse, and start getting angry with this individual who is simply struggling with a health issue and can’t help their memory related problems.

When you choose a memory care assisted living community, the experienced staff members will understand more directly the various progression of the disease. They will know how memory loss will impact behavior over time.

They will even understand the physical changes that are going to take place. They will be prepared to help this individual get out of bed, if needed. They will be ready to assist this person find the restaurant to eat breakfast, if they require that help. They will also be constantly checking in to make sure that senior has everything he or she needs.

When it comes to no longer remembering things they were just told, people who have worked with others dealing with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia understand that repetition may be necessary. This is their job. It’s not like a family member who goes to work and then on the way home checks in with their elderly mother who has Alzheimer’s. In that type of situation, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s easy to lose patience.

Think About Your Future, Too

It’s not just the senior’s future you have to think about; it’s also your own. When you do that, you begin to realize that assisted living with a memory care facility is the best choice for those diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer’s.

When somebody else who has experience is supporting your loved one, it will help you maintain or regain your footing in your own life. Then you’ll find it’s much easier to be the daughter or son or spouse or friend or other loved one that elderly senior really needs, and not merely a family caregiver.

If you or an aging loved one are considering a move to Assisted Living in Saraland, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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