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Finding a home for your loved one

Feel free to print this out and use it.  Dan TO DO’S Identify homes that are geographically located close where you want the resident to live. Call each home and ask if there is availability. The ones that have openings, take a copy of this list and ‘show up’ for a visit. When you arrive, ask to walk around immediately. Look in each room, bedroom, bathroom and around the facility. Look at the residents. Talk to the residents. Ask if they like it there. Then sit down with this list, (one page of questions for each facility). Ask the questions and write down the answers as you get them.   QUESTIONS TO ASK How long has this facility been open? Are you licensed? May I see a copy of the license? How many beds are there?…

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Improving Quality of Life for Dementia Patients

Dementia progresses through 7 stages of decline over a period of several years. During the first 6 stages, dementia patients are still capable of leading productive, satisfying lives. Some people think that once a person is diagnosed, they are no longer capable of doing any of the normal activities they once did. In reality, people in the earlier stages of dementia can do a lot of the things they’ve always done. They want to feel like they make a difference and contribute to their family’s and friends’ lives. As the disease progresses, they will need supervision and assistance to ensure their safety. But that doesn’t mean they can’t continue to be functional and happy for most of the time they have left. The type of care dementia patients receive, as well as their living environment, greatly…

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What is Assisted Living & Is It Worth It?

Because it is a less well-known service offered for elderly care, many people still often ask “what is assisted living?” Assisted living bridges the gap between fully independent living and various levels of round-the-clock care. It gives seniors an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of living on their own without most of the restrictions necessary in facilities where residents have more affected capabilities. In assisted living, residents live in apartment- or townhouse-style dwellings. Residents have access to three meals a day, social events, and other amenities. Many strive to resemble a resort or an apartment complex more than a senior living facility. What Kind of Patient Thrives Best In Assisted Living? Residents who do best in assisted living are those with some ability to live without supervision and the will to remain independent as long as…

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What Is Assistive Technology?

The simple definition of assistive technology (AT) is “anything that makes life easier for people with disabilities.” They may use highly advanced technology like speech recognition software. They can also be as simple as a book with large print. Assistive technology for dementia patients helps patients remain independent and encourages social interaction longer. Depending on the person’s situation and the stage of dementia they are in, assistive technology can improve their quality of life. How Does Assistive Technology Work? AT includes computer systems and electronics, and the accessories needed to use them. It includes the software and hardware designed to educate, stimulate, and provide entertainment. It provides a resource for dementia patients to exercise their memories. Those people who have problems writing, making phone calls, or going up and down stairs can live more comfortably and…

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How to Pay for Assisted Living for Your Loved Ones

At-home care is the first choice for the majority of seniors but sometimes it is not the safest or most cost-effective option. Individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's, dementia and other progressive diseases do best with around-the-clock care, and this leaves many families wondering how to pay for assisted living for their loved ones. With proper planning, assisted living can be an affordable option for everyone. Even when a family is less prepared, there are ways to offset the costs of an assisted living program. We have gathered fourteen strategies your family can use to help pay for professional assisted living care. Do Your Research: Give your family and your senior loved one enough time to evaluate different care communities. If you like a specific location, join the waiting list. Making last minute decisions could end with your family…

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A Warning to Dementia Caregivers

“No one else can provide the same quality of care to my loved one that I can give them myself.” Many dementia caregivers genuinely feel that they are the only ones who can care for their loved one. There are almost 15 million people in this country providing unpaid care to a person with dementia. The majority of them will have difficulty coping with the changes that occur as the disease progresses. Caring for a person with a physical disability is challenging enough. Few people are prepared for the challenges they will face when their loved one begins to lose their identity. During the first stages of dementia, the symptoms may be limited to forgetfulness and an inability to concentrate. They may not be able to complete tasks as efficiently as they used to. Caring for…

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Dementia and Sleep: A Sleep Aid for the Elderly

People with dementia often have problems getting a good night’s sleep. Scientists don’t really know the connection between dementia and sleep problems. They can only assume it has to do with the changes these diseases cause to the brain. Like many other symptoms of dementia, those affecting sleep vary from one person to the next. Some experience more intense feelings of confusion and anxiety during the latter part of the day. Feelings of agitation prevent them from being able to sleep. Sometimes they get up and wander during the night. Others start to feel sleepy during the day and become restless at night. These symptoms of late-day confusion are called “Sundowning” in Alzheimer’s patients. Changes in sleep patterns often lead to an increase in behavioral issues as well. Both factors add to the challenges family caregivers…

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Behavior Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease

Every 65 seconds in the United States, someone develops Alzheimer's disease. But, medication and medical knowledge have advanced over the years, and there are several effective Alzheimer's treatment options available today. This is good news because this disease has rapidly increased over the years. Between 2000 and 2011 alone, deaths from Alzheimer's disease went up by a staggering 123%. Defining Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease is one common type of Dementia, and it is an illness that affects memory, behavior, and the thinking process. Alzheimer's is a slower onset type of disease, and this means that the common symptoms can slowly develop and get worse as time goes on. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but the various Alzheimer's treatment options can help to slow the progression of the symptoms. A lot of people don't notice…

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Memory Loss Medication Options

Alzheimer's disease currently affects over 5.7 million people and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Memory loss medication can't stop or slow down the progression of this disease, but they can help manage many of the common symptoms that go hand in hand with it. Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that is progressive and irreversible. It slowly starts to destroy a person's cognitive skills and their memory. Eventually, it progresses far enough that people who have it can't carry out simple everyday tasks. Medical experts generally split this disease into two different categories including: Late-Onset Alzheimer's - With this type of Alzheimer's, people generally start showing common symptoms in their mid-60s. This is the most common type of Alzheimer's disease. Early-Onset Alzheimer's - This type of Alzheimer's disease is very rare,…

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What Is Hospice Care?

Learning that you or a loved one requires hospice care is devastating. There are lots of questions you want to ask, the main one being, "What is hospice care?" Hospice care is often recommended when a patient's medical condition has reached its end stage. Therefore, it's only natural to have questions about the processes, treatments, and what happens next. Hospice Centers On the Patient Hospice is a field of medicine that centers on making the patient's final days as comfortable and peaceful as possible. It provides resources for both the patient and their loved ones as they strive to accept the upcoming transition. The main objective is to ease the patient's pain and suffering while maintaining a relaxed environment. There are several chronic illnesses that progress slowly before they reach an end stage. For instance, a…

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