Alzheimer’s Disease can be incredibly taxing not just on the sufferer of the disease but on their entire families. Alzheimer’s patients need special care. Here’s what you need to know about assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients.
Alzheimer’s Disease affects roughly 30 million people worldwide. The vast majority of Alzheimer’s patients are seniors. What kind of care and assisted living do Alzheimer’s patients need?
Alzheimer’s is a type of neurodegenerative disease. Alzheimer’s typically begins slowly and then gradually gets worse. Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. Often the first symptom is short term memory loss. As Alzheimer’s progresses, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation, mood swings, a lack of eating and self-care, and behavioral problems. Usually, Alzheimer’s eventually involves the loss of control over bodily functions, and, ultimately, death.
As you can well imagine, or perhaps already know personally, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be very depressing. But it’s important to remember that the speed of progression can vary. Generally, the life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years. During those years, many Alzheimer’s patients live high-functioning and rewarding lives. But they need help to do so. Often the families of Alzheimer’s patients try to assist them themselves. But this won’t work for very long. Usually, assisted living is required.
What is assisted living? How does it work? Is there special assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients?
Most seniors with Alzheimer’s disease need high levels of care. Occasional personal care services or homemaking services just aren’t enough. Neurodegenerative diseases severely compromise the mental state of seniors, and these can be coupled with mobility issues that mean they can’t really move around on their own, and they might have any number of other problems. Alzheimer’s patients need access to caregivers more than most seniors. What is the solution here?
For many, the solution is assisted living. Assisted living communities are a type of senior care facility, similar to a nursing home. Typically, assisted living communities try to allow their residents more freedom and autonomy than residents of nursing homes. Some assisted living communities specialize in helping Alzheimer’s patients. Those residents for whom the disease is still in its early stages are allowed to live their own life as much as possible with assistance and input from the caregivers on staff whenever necessary. Those residents whose condition is considerably worse get all the care and assistance they need.
How Executive Home Care can provide the assistance that Alzheimer’s patients need to keep living the healthiest and safest lives possible.
Executive Home Care is dedicated to improving the lives of all seniors. But we know that seniors with Alzheimer’s disease often need special assistance. We’re proud to say we can provide this assistance. At Executive Home Care, we have specialized dementia programs that can improve the quality of life of Alzheimer’s patients. Seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, as well as their caregivers, face serious challenges. However, with education and support, Executive Home Care can help families maintain a positive relationship and comforting environment.
If you run an assisted living community and would like assistance managing a qualified and professional staff, Executive Home Care can help by providing supplemental staffing. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, please contact us to find out how we can help.