3 Reasons Assisted Living Facilities Provide Great Dementia Care

May 21st, 2016 by admin

Advanced ailments, disabilities, and adverse conditions are not uncommon when growing into old age. Perhaps the most tragic and heartbreaking of these are the many different forms of dementia; mental impairments, inability to properly think and reason, and memory loss are the most common resulting symptoms. Due to how quickly and suddenly dementia onset can occur in the elderly, it's important to set a dementia care plan in place for loved ones who are growing old.

Providing dementia care can be an incredibly difficult and stressful process physically and emotionally, especially for family members. That's just one of the reasons placing a loved one with dementia in an assisted living facility with dementia or memory care units is one of the best options. Here are three other reasons assisted living facilities are a great place to find quality dementia care:

1. Round the Clock Care:

One of the biggest benefits of assisted living facilities is that they typically provide 24-hour supervision for their residents, meaning that no matter what happens (and what time of day), someone will be there at all times. Three meals a day, plus a range of snacks, are provided by the facility throughout the day. A range of services promotes residents' quality of life and independence, including personal care services, health care services, medication management, social services, arrangements for transportation, laundry service, housekeeping, and maintenance. Home care is perfect for elders until it is not, and when the care becomes too much for one person or a couple of people to handle, these facilities' doors are always open. For dementia patients, this may be even more crucial.

2. Social and Positive Environment:

The diagnosis of dementia in a person does not inhibit them from enjoying things such as friendship and fun. Assisted care facilities offer a variety of programs, activities, and social events in which residents can partake in, meet new people, and live the social experience they would lack being cooped up in their old home. Research from the 2009 Independent Living Report by the ProMatura Group shows that when you become part of an independent living retirement community, you’re more likely to make new friends and try new things.

3. Cost Effective:

Residential care facilities aren't free, but they can actually be more cost-effective than trying to provide the care yourself. In one recent study, 83% of primary caregivers contributed an average of $8,800 for out-of-pocket care expenses during a long-term care situation. That doesn't even account for the loss of time and actual work involved either.

Dementia care can be one of the most difficult parts of elder care, but placing your loved one in an assisted living facility will ensure them that they will live the end of their life filled with fun, friendship, and peace.

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