According to the Population Reference Bureau, over 7 million people over 65 in the United States suffered memory-related illnesses in 2020. Health experts expect this figure to rise over the next decade as the baby boomer population ages.
Understandably, the demand for memory care and skilled nursing is increasing daily. Many assisted living communities now offer personalized care and programs for memory-related disorders. However, determining the level of care needed or selecting the best program for a loved one can be stressful.
Many communities provide dementia and memory care services in Grapevine, TX. Both programs are essentially designed along a similar treatment plan. Still, they have more nuanced differences to help determine which is more well-suited for your loved one. Assisted living communities ultimately examine and review the type of care your loved one may require. But here’s what you should know before proceeding with any treatment.
What Is Memory Care and What You Can Expect
Dementia is frequently misdiagnosed as a disease when, in fact, it is an umbrella term for progressive cognitive impairment due to aging. It’s linked to a decline in cognitive function, which manifests in daily activities and decision-making. In contrast, Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes gradual memory loss, disorientation, and the loss of significant abilities such as swallowing. Because of these symptoms, the patient needs full-time care.
Memory care services typically include a personalized care approach for residents who have recently started having memory problems or have neurodegenerative conditions that affect memory, such as Alzheimer’s. In either case, communities recognize that your loved ones may require more assistance than usual with daily tasks and therefore work with them to overcome these obstacles with dignity.
A memory care program usually has trained staff who follow a resident-centered care plan. Some of the advantages of a memory care program are as follows:
- Safe and cozy common areas supervised by trained staff
- Activity centers where your loved ones can engage in meaningful activities and daily exercise
- Dining rooms designed for resident comfort, flexible meal plans, and assistance when needed
- A cohesive community that fosters friendships while still focusing on independent care
- One-on-one sensory activity sessions
Memory Care vs. Dementia Care
Memory care is typically provided to residents experiencing early-stage issues with memory, such as loss of hearing or short-term memory loss. At the outset, these symptoms can be maintained or slowed down with the help of daily therapy, exercise, and individualized activities. A loved one in memory care may also be able to live a relatively independent life. Fortunately, their memory issues likely won’t affect their day-to-day activities.
Dementia care, on the other hand, refers to a later, more degenerative stage of a memory disorder. Residents in dementia care may require a more sophisticated nursing program and focused medical care. They may have more serious issues and experience a significant loss of abilities, necessitating more intensive care as they struggle to perform simple everyday tasks.
However, depending on the progression of your loved one’s memory disorder, it is up to the community and its medical experts to determine the scope of care and the type of program your loved one needs. To learn more about our Memory Care community, contact us today!
