By Linda Snyder, Dementia Care Advocate, Villas of Holly Brook
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing fast. An estimated 5.5 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. Of the estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2017, an estimated 5.3 million are age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 and have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s statistics are staggering.
- One in 10 people age 65 and older (10 percent) has Alzheimer’s dementia.
- Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
- African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
- Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
Because of the increasing number of people aged 65 and older in the United States, particularly the oldest-old, the number of new cases of Alzheimer’s and other dementias is projected to soar. Today, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s dementia every 66 seconds. By mid-century, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is the fifth-leading cause of death among those age 65 and older and a leading cause of disability and poor health.
Alzheimer’s care options
Many of us care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Care needs for those with Alzheimer’s disease can change as the stages of the disease progress. Creating a plan soon after diagnosis will help ensure that care requests from your loved one are considered and incorporated into their life. Alzheimer’s affects each person differently, though you can expect some symptoms to worsen over time.
Eventually, people with the disease require round-the-clock care, so it’s important to plan for your loved one’s care and wellbeing soon after diagnosis.
Different factors will determine which Alzheimer’s care options you pursue for a loved one. In the early stages of the disease, families often choose home care so that their loved one can remain in familiar surroundings and enjoy as much independence as possible. As the disease progresses, however, residential care may be necessary to provide your loved one with the total care he or she will need.
An early choice: home care for Alzheimer’s
At home, your loved one with Alzheimer’s will benefit from well-known sights and sounds, but also from a few changes to make the home safe and easy to navigate. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends looking at the home “through the eyes of a person with dementia,” without creating too restrictive a setting. Here are just a few recommended home safety tips:
- Remove objects that could cause injury
- Lock hazardous areas, such as stairwells, workrooms, and storage areas
- Make sure fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors work
- Keep stairways well lit
- Lock medications in a drawer or cabinet
- Set the water temperature to 120 degrees or less to prevent scalding
Relief for caregivers: formal at-home care
Being a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s brings with it enormous stress and challenges. So, having relief on a regular basis is important to a caregiver’s health and wellbeing. Caregivers may turn to family, friends, or neighbors for a break, or to more formal respite care, such as one of the following options:
- Home health services: Depending on the agency, in-home care services will provide home health aides, skilled nursing care, companion services, or even help with household chores. In turn, caregivers have time to enjoy social outings, run personal errands, participate in support groups, or simply relax.
- Adult day centers: A safe environment for your loved one, adult day centers offer structured activities and programs, such as music or art therapy, and a means for your loved one to socialize. Many adult day centers also provide meals and transportation.
Later stages: considering residential care
As Alzheimer’s progresses, care needs of your loved one will mount. From meal preparation and dressing, to bathing and personal care, everyday tasks will become more difficult. During these later stages, you might consider one of these residential care options:
- Assisted living: For individuals who require assistance with tasks such as dressing or preparing meals but do not need skilled medical care, assisted living might deliver the right amount of support. In these communities, residents can have their own apartment or suite or share a residence to help reduce costs. Along with a 24-hour staff, typical assisted living services include recreational activities, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation.
- Nursing home: When your loved one reaches a point of needing skilled nursing care, you might consider a nursing home. These facilities offer room and board, plus round-the-clock medical care and supervision. They will also work with you regarding care planning, special nutrition issues, other medical concerns, and spiritual needs.
- Alzheimer’s special care units (SCU’s): Special memory care units within residential facilities are designed for people with memory problems. Generally, these units group together residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia on their own floor or wing of a larger care residence. Among the many services in an Alzheimer’s SCU, you should expect that staff has received specialized training in care needs for people with Alzheimer’s, programming that caters to the needs of people with memory problems and safety measures, such as secured exits, are ensured.
Which Alzheimer’s care option best suits your loved one?
The disease stage and your loved one’s specific care needs will determine what type of Alzheimer’s care you choose. Each setting is different, but talk with your loved one in the early stages of the disease, to get input from family members and draft a plan.
Finances, location, and other issues specific to your loved one’s health should all be part of the conversation.
We all want our loved ones to be in a safe environment with compassionate caregivers. We want them to have the best quality of life for as long as possible. Many families find that a memory care residence in an assisted living community to be the best choice. The Villas of Holly Brook offers Alzheimer’s and Dementia Specialty Care in their Reflections Memory Care wing.
Reflections Memory Care Communities offer individualized healthcare plans, supervision by a nurse in a secured building that includes activity stations, outdoor walking paths, and sensory gardens. Families will find peace of mind knowing that their loved one is being cared for in a state-of-the-art retirement care community that specializes in Alzheimer’s and other memory care.
Reflections assist those who are experiencing confusion, wandering, sundowning, disorientation, loss of recognition of familiar faces and tasks. Reflections encourages an active lifestyle. The staff channels behaviors into something positive. They want to connect with them in that moment and make every moment a meaningful one.
The Reflections staff is trained in the concept of ability-focused activity to provide an environment that minimizes unhealthy effects of the disease process. While abilities may diminish, the resident’s desire to succeed does not. Programs are designed to allow the resident success while we emphasize their strengths and maintain their dignity.
Do your homework and choose the best Alzheimer’s care option in your community. Allow your loved one to help make decisions after diagnosis and share the information with family members. When the time comes that your loved one requires more care than you can provide, follow your plan of action. This will give everyone peace of mind knowing your loved one is in the best care situation for their personal needs.
For more information on Alzheimer’s and dementia care, contact Reflections Memory Care or the Villas of Holly Brook. Call 855-20-VILLA (855-208-4552). Join residents in a fun and cognitive activities while on your tour and join the Executive Director for lunch. You can age in place at the Villas of Holly Brook with independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Find more information online at www.villasofhollybrook.com.