Memory care is a form of assisted living available to those in the United States who are suffering from memory-related illnesses. From Alzheimer’s to Huntington’s disease, memory care is catered to those suffering from all ailments under the dementia umbrella. What is different about memory care? When is it time to consider it for yourself or a loved one?
How does memory care differ?
Memory care is a specialist form of healthcare. This can be considered an intensive form of the usual assisted living service. Memory care is a growing service offered by most care and nursing communities across the United States, and statistics show that 5.8 million Americans are currently suffering from dementia-related illnesses. This figure continues to grow alongside an ageing population, meaning the need for such a service is far greater than before. Having access to this can be a sign you are dealing with a high-quality business due to the need for higher qualifications for individuals who wish to look after your loved ones.
The biggest differentiating factor between memory care and basic assisted living packages is the extra attention you will receive from highly trained professionals. Memory care options are cropping up all across the United States within established care centres, a simple search online for senior living Atlanta GA will return plenty of results if you are looking into the idea of supporting a loved one.
When is it time to consider Memory Care?
It is estimated that 1/3 of people living with dementia currently live independently. Dementia-related illness differs from patient to patient, and many studies have taken place in an attempt to recognize the different forms of memory-related illness and their impacts on specific ages, genders, and social backgrounds. Because of this, many find the early stages of dementia easy to live with, and sufferers sometimes tend to be capable of independently supporting themselves for years.
Mental signs it’s time for memory care
Many people living with dementia become depressed, and the deterioration of their mental capabilities can cause them to experience a depressive state, leading to all sorts of issues relating to eating, drinking, and sleep deprivation. Naturally, only those close to the patient will notice these ailments, meaning you should always keep track of their basic life skills.
Mental cues to be on the lookout for are general behaviour changes. For example, the patient in question may have been an extremely hygienic person before being diagnosed with memory illness. Assess this against how they treat themselves now. Are they wearing clean clothes and still maintaining their appearance as they always have? Do they forget to brush their teeth or style their hair? These may seem like small things, but noticing them early can assist your decision-making when the time comes to consider private care.
The Caregiver
Assuming you are the caregiver and not the patient. You could very well be displaying signs that your loved one is ready for professional help. Have your hobbies become non-existent? Or even worse, are they just not of interest anymore? You may be suffering from caregiver stress. Studies have gone further into this form of mental strain and have found many carers of the mentally unwell are sacrificing their health in aid of caring for a loved one.
You must be realistic in your approach. Help is available to those suffering from memory-related illness through professional support, allowing you to improve the quality of a patient’s life and your own.
