One of the top dementia care options available is memory care, which we provide at Heartis Peoria. We support our residents by having a positive focus, secure spaces, and engaging activities, all backed by our intensively trained and compassionate staff members.
The Alzheimer's Association states that around 11% of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, which is around 7.2 million Americans. It's a terrible disease that's not preventable, nor is it curable. However, there are dementia care options that can slow dementia's progress, ease symptoms, make the senior's life more comfortable, and encourage cognitive health and engagement.
Luckily, there's quality Alzheimer's care in Peoria, IL, at Heartis Peoria. Our program is specially developed to help our residents thrive and live a life that's dignified.
To help someone with dementia, you'll need to provide them with patience, empathy, and consistent support.
The first thing they need is structured routines, as this will reduce confusion and anxiety. Also, you need to communicate clearly by using short and simple sentences.
You can also help by encouraging participation in familiar activities, such as:
Supporting them with daily tasks can be beneficial too, as they can focus on other parts of independence.
Most importantly, give them emotional reassurance and companionship.
The 4 Rs of dementia care are used by caregivers in all settings to help them manage interactions, which means you can use these guidelines too. They are:
Reassurance is essential in dementia care since seniors often experience confusion, fear, or frustration. This is understandable, as the decline in their memory and understanding can be difficult to deal with.
Caregivers will respond calmly and offer comforting words and gentle gestures. As a result, the older adult should feel safe and supported.
Caregivers also avoid arguing or correcting those with dementia. Instead, they validate their emotions, which eases anxiety and prevents agitation. This builds trust and emotional stability.
It can be hard to put yourself in someone else's shoes, especially when there's a stressful situation. But caregivers should take a moment to think about how the senior is experiencing things.
For example, if someone comes to visit and they always get agitated "for no reason," pause and think about it. Perhaps the memory loss your loved one's having makes this person a stranger each time they visit, so it can be distressing.
If a senior is displaying difficult behaviors, then it's best to shift attention to a different, more positive activity. Calmly guide them to do something soothing, like:
This approach best works with patience and a calm tone.
Caregivers should always try to relax and have a peaceful demeanor. Those with dementia come to heavily rely on others to interpret the world around them, so if you're stressed out, they may be as well.
Of course, this is easier said than done, but if you practice self-care, relaxation will come more naturally.
If you're searching for dementia-friendly programs in senior living communities, then consider Heartis Peoria. We have a memory care program that's nationally recognized by the Alzheimer's Association®.
Here's how we support our residents.
All too often, people focus on the weaknesses and flaws of those with dementia, but that's the completely wrong approach.
Here, we celebrate each victory. We focus on the strengths of our residents, and our specially trained staff members receive ongoing education to keep providing personalized care plans for each individual.
Those with dementia are prone to wandering, so we provide a secure environment that's spacious and bright. The staff members are available 24/7, and there are proactive fall prevention measures in place.
They can also enjoy a secure outdoor courtyard where residents can get fresh air and warm sunshine on their skin!
Engaging activities are crucial for cognitive wellness. We have both one-on-one and group activities so residents can choose what they prefer, whenever they want.
The activities are non-competitive and failure-free, so there's no pressure to succeed.
The best type of care for dementia patients will depend on the stage of the disease, as well as their overall health. More importantly, it'll depend on their personal preferences.
In the early stages of dementia, in-home care and memory support programs can be beneficial in helping seniors maintain independence while receiving much-needed assistance with daily activities and medication reminders. But as the disease progresses, they'll require more structured care, such as that provided by assisted living or memory care communities.
The ultimate goal is to provide the senior with a supportive environment that prioritizes safety, reduces confusion, and promotes emotional well-being.
Yes, a person with early-stage dementia can still live alone if they can still:
But keep in mind that this is temporary. As dementia progresses, your loved one may experience memory lapses, disorientation, and confusion, which can be dangerous. This means that you need to do the following:
Or a simpler option would be to move them into a memory care community so that they're safe and secure.
If your loved one's been diagnosed with dementia, then you'll want to know your dementia care options ahead of time.
One of the best ones is memory care communities, especially ours. Our SHINE® Memory Care program is backed by science, and we've seen our residents thrive. Also, there are numerous engaging activities to keep them busy and happy.
Get in touch with us now if you want to explore memory care in Peoria, IL. Heartis Peoria has a concierge service that makes our residents' lives easier. We can even help with furniture arrangements and apartment design.