How to Recognize Alzheimer’s and Evaluate Care Options

The following article was written by Stephen Zimmerman COO at AEC Living, a group of independently operated senior living communities and a Medicare-approved rehabilitation agency designed to serve the needs of seniors in the East Bay.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks and eventually leading to death. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, and it affects more than 5 million people in the U.S. It is a progressive disease that primarily affects people over 65 years old, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. While there are treatment options for symptoms of the disease, there is currently no cure.

California currently holds the highest number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in the country. By 2025 there will be a 33 percent increase in the diagnosis of individuals with Alzheimer’s in California. In six years, it’s expected an additional 845,000 seniors in California will need some form of memory care.

Alzheimer’s Symptoms

As described by Healthline, symptoms of the disease include memory loss, difficulty planning and solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks, difficulty determining place or time, vision loss, inability to find the right words, regularly misplacing items, having a hard time making decisions, withdrawing from work and social events, and experiencing personality and mood changes. Individuals should speak with their doctor if they or a loved one are finding it increasingly difficult to perform day-to-day tasks or experiencing increased memory loss. A doctor will conduct medical and neurological exams to find a diagnosis. This may include a brain imaging test.

It’s important to note that symptoms may worsen over time. In the disease’s final stages, dementia may occur, and individuals may experience total memory loss and may require help managing finances and caring for themselves.

The Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center has good information about the latest research being done, and the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Center has good content about what to expect at each stage of the disease.

Memory Care Options

According to Alzheimers.net, memory care is a type of long-term care that is designed to meet the specific needs of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other types of memory problems. Before choosing a memory care option, it’s helpful to compile a list of questions about how care will ultimately impact your loved one’s comfort and safety. Memory care facilities can offer a wide array of services, so it’s important to make sure the facility you are considering can accommodate your loved one’s specific needs. Memory care costs are typically higher than assisted living care, as memory care requires specialized nursing skills, 24-hour supervised care, medical monitoring, help with everyday tasks, and a friendly, easy to navigate environment.

Doing Your Research on Memory Care Facilities

When evaluating a memory care facility a few things you’ll want to evaluate include:

• The level of care the facility provides
• The type of training of the staff
• The monthly rate for housing and care and the services included with that rate
• The type of rooms available (private or semi-private) and the prices for each
• The level of personal assistance a resident can expect
• The level of room personalization allowed (can they bring their treasured items or pets)
• The facility’s policy for handling an emergency
• The security of the facility
• The ability to accommodate unique dietary needs
• The frequency of laundry and housekeeping
• Special programs, such as exercise, physical therapy, and other activities
• Support for special needs, such as diabetic care, mobility issues, aggressiveness, and wandering
• The ratio of staff to residents (day and night)
• Communications between a resident and their family
• The facility’s discharge policy

How to Speak with Your Loved One About Memory Care

Speaking with a loved one about memory care options can be a difficult conversation. According to Everyday Health, it’s important to first recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease, then plan for care as early as possible (even if a loved one hasn’t officially been diagnosed with the disease). Next, pick a relaxed setting with few distractions for the conversation, and recognize that you may get pushback from your loved one in the form of denial. If needed, get a family healthcare provider involved in the conversation. Finally, create a plan that evaluates care needs, finances, transportation, and day-to-day organization.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a great resource for information about the disease. They’re available 24 hours a day at www.alz.org or by calling 1-800-272-3900.