Dementia

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home Care: How They Differ

Are you attempting to weigh assisted living versus nursing home care as an option for yourself or a family member? Many Americans just like you are doing exactly that. They’re looking for clear answers about senior living possibilities and the differences between them. Thankfully, you’re in the right spot to find some of those answers.

With help from this article, you can start making informed decisions that result in a comfortable, connected, and care-focused quality of life for you or your loved one. After all, a lot of today’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities are warm, homelike communities where older adults enjoy kindness and respect, make new friends, entertain visitors, and pursue satisfying leisure activities.

As you’ll soon discover, there isn’t just one main difference between assisted living and nursing home care. Rather, each type of senior care community has several special and defining characteristics. In this article, you’ll learn more about those differences as they relate to the following aspects:

Terminology
Common types of residents
Typical living spaces
Care services
Other kinds of services
Primary caregivers
Cost and payment methods

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Great Senior Living.

Lecanemab Approved for Early Stage Alzheimer’s

Inside the brain. Concept of neurons and nervous system. Two neurons transmitting information. July 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted traditional approval to lecanemab for early stage Alzheimer’s patients.Patients with early stage Alzheimer’s disease have a new treatment option. On July 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted traditional approval to lecanemab (Eisai/Biogen), brand name Leqembi, for patients confirmed to be in early stage Alzheimer’s disease with elevated amyloid beta. The treatment was granted accelerated approval in January 2023, but this is the first Alzheimer’s treatment to receive traditional approval that changes the underlying course of the disease.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, degenerative and fatal brain disease, the most common cause of dementia. An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. More than 11 million people act as caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of  Seniors Guide, by Annie Tobey

How to Get Power of Attorney for a Parent (Without Overstepping)

As we age, some of us eventually lose the ability to handle our own affairs. That’s why you’re smart to find out how to get power of attorney (POA) for a parent who is sick, disabled, or experiencing mental decline. But even if your parent is in good health right now, it’s wise to plan ahead for potential challenges. You simply never know when an injury or illness may take away your mom or dad’s capacity to manage finances or make important decisions about medical care. In fact, the best time to start considering power of attorney is before a parent requires any caregiving.

Broadly speaking, you get power of attorney for a parent by having him or her name you as the agent in a POA document that he or she has signed while sound of mind. However, the process is rarely as simple as it seems, especially when it comes to ensuring that your power of attorney will be recognized by third parties. Things can also become more complicated if you’re trying to get power of attorney for a sick parent who is already suffering from dementia or another terminal illness or incurable condition that affects his or her ability to communicate or make reasoned decisions.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Great Senior Living.

Sundowners Syndrome: Facts, Misconceptions, & Tips for Care

Sundowners syndrome,” “sundowning,” and other similar terms are commonly used in hospitals and long-term care environments when older patients become confused or agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or nighttime. But did you know that the whole concept of sundowning is somewhat controversial? This topic makes some caregivers and medical professionals uncomfortable for exactly that reason. They believe that opportunities for better care and treatment of patients with dementia may get missed due to this concept being too casually used to explain problematic behavior.

That’s why it’s essential to understand what sundowning is—and what it’s not. When you know how and why terminology like “sundown syndrome” gets applied (or misapplied) to various behaviors, you can take steps to improve the quality of life for the person you care about. This article will help clarify some of the popular misconceptions you may have encountered.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Great Senior Living.

Connecting with Someone Living with Dementia

communicate person dementiaIf you’re visiting or reconnecting with a friend or loved one who is living with dementia, you may face some communication challenges. But don’t let that keep you from connecting. Here are some suggestions to help you overcome those challenges and have engaging conversations, stay connected and maintain your relationship.

Create an inviting space to talk – Whenever possible, have conversations in a quiet space with fewer distractions and pressures. Turn off the TV or other electronics so you can both focus on each other and your conversation. Establishing and maintaining eye contact during the conversation can also help.

Set the tone – What you say and how you say it are important when communicating with anyone, but it’s especially true when you’re talking with someone living with dementia. Be brief and to the point, avoid open-ended questions, and remember that your loved one is not to blame for his or her communication challenges and they’re not trying to be difficult.

Stay in the moment – If a person living with dementia gets confused about details, roll with it and avoid correcting them. If you make small adjustments in how you communicate, you make the most of every conversation.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Brookdale Senior Living, excerpted from an article written by Juliet Holt Klinger, MA, Expert on Dementia Care