Senior
Care for Alzheimer’s
by: Alex Jensen
As a
person ages, a certain amount of memory loss and confusion is quite normal.
Personally, I’ve been known to invoke the cliché, “The
older I get, the better I was!” Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease
represents a more serious loss of mental sharpness and calls for special
care for seniors.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s
Disease is a progressive form of pre-senile dementia. Symptoms are typically
first noted in a person’s late forties or early fifties. As the disease
takes effect, it will first impact memory. Impaired thought and speech will
follow with the patient eventually becoming helpless.
Alzheimer’s is a truly horrible disease because it robs a person of their ability to function. The disease is also damaging to family and friends as it is very difficult to watch a parent, brother, sister or friend progress to the point where they don’t recognize anyone. The burden of caring for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s is significant. At some point in time, a family will have to look for assistance with the care.
Most
“board and care” and “assisted living facilities” are
willing and capable of providing for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s.
These facilities are similar to nursing homes, but with less of an institutional
atmosphere. If, however, a senior becomes increasingly disoriented, perhaps
even occasionally wandering away, they may require a facility with a dementia
waiver.
Despite
the name, a “dementia waiver” is an indication that a facility
and staff have additional training and licensing for the care of patients
with dementia. On top of the additional training, the actual facility may
be secured with a perimeter to keep patients on the grounds.
Alzheimer’s
disease leaves a mark on family and friends as well as the victim. There
are, however, facility options that can at least take the care burden off
of you.
About The Author
Alex Jensen is with http://www.careplacement.com - a free placement service
for Southern California. Care Placement's staff can review your care requirements
to determine whether skilled nursing care, assisted living facilities or
board and care homes are a viable option for seniors.