Dealing with Dementia and Daily Duties
There is a lot of advice out there for living well, for living a life that one can look back on and be content knowing that time was well spent. But sometimes living fully doesn’t always make getting older any easier, unfortunately. For those struggling with Alzheimer’s or attempting to navigate the different dementia stages, there is the difficulty of slowly losing the memories of that long and full life. And this process creates incredible hardships not only for the one suffering through the confusing mental state, but loved ones attempting to provide the perfect care for the person who may not even remember who they are.
Finding the right care options for Alzheimers patients
Alzheimer’s disease, as the sixth leading cause of death within the U.S., is the only cause of death in the top 10 causes in the United States that, sadly, does not have a cure and cannot be slowed or prevented. As the disease progresses, the patient requires more and more assistance, as daily tasks become more difficult. For some, moving to a retirement home that provides additional assistance and care can be the ideal solution. Daily activities for Alzheimer residents can become nearly insurmountable without the proper assistance. About four in 10 residents living in care homes received assistance with at least three daily tasks such as bathing or dressing. And assisted living residences will often provide many services that family members can’t always provide, including 24-hour supervision and activities for Alzheimer residents that encourage independence and a better quality of life like personal care and health care services, and arranging necessities like laundry, transportation, and housekeeping.
Entertaining activities for Alzheimer residents
On top of providing meals and snacks, medication management, and social services, many assisted living facilities arrange activities that improve the quality of life for its residents. Such an important factor in handling the disease and dementia is helping to make sure that life is good. Providing entertainment, fun things to do, and encouraging a social life can ease the stress and anxiety of living with constant confusion. Research conducted by the ProMatura Group, LLC, for the 2009 Independent Living Report indicated that becoming part of a retirement community made it more likely for residents to find new friends and even participate in new things, and most often residents admit to having a better experience than they originally expected.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when dealing with a loved one suffering through the crippling disease is patience. While it is difficult to understand what they can or cannot understand, remembering that their brain is working in a way that is completely different from how ours has ever worked can help provide the patience and empathy needed to give the love and support that is most necessary.
