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While life with dementia is hard for patients, its toll on caregivers can be just as significant, especially for those faced with never-ending care while trying to earn a living, maintain their own health needs and have a life outside of caregiving. In this video, we hear from Gloria and her aging mother, Geraldine, who has vascular dementia. Gloria is her mother's primary caregiver. At the time the video was recorded Geraldine was relatively high functioning, but Gloria knows that her mother's health will continue to decline and her needs will grow as her dementia progresses.  At some point, families like Geraldine's will have difficult decisions to make, including whether to provide continuing care at home or move a loved one to a dementia care location. Emotional and financial support from the rest of the family plus some outside assistance help Gloria manage her mother's care. As she states, providing continuous care is all-consuming, and she feels that her life is not her own. This situation puts Gloria at high risk for caregiver burnout, a serious condition affecting many caregivers.  Symptoms of burnout include social withdrawal, depression, irritability, sleeplessness, inability to concentrate, and a host of other health problems. A report from the family caregiver alliance states that clinically significant symptoms of depression appear in 40-70% of caregivers, with many of them meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depression. Are you at risk for caregiver burnout? The American Psychological Association recommends a caregiver self-assessment called "How Are You?" developed by the American Medical Association. As hard as it may be to accept, caring for yourself is another way to care for your loved one.  Support groups can be a lifeline that can help you feel [...]

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, you know that their symptoms progress over a long time, making it hard to know what kind of care they need.  At some point, you may find yourself considering memory care for your senior.  You may be thinking, "I should be able to handle this." It is common for family members to experience guilt and grief when they realize they can't manage the increasing care needs of loved ones with dementia. As much as it hurts to consider moving a loved one from the surroundings they know, handling things yourself isn't easy, nor is it always the best choice for your loved one. Typically, memory care is an option for people suffering from mid to late-stage Alzheimer's disease or dementia when the condition creates more significant changes and challenges in a person's life.  The disease will eventually progress, and at some point, your loved one will need 24-hour supervision. If your senior lives alone, it can be harder to see the changes.  You may visit and discover that their appearance and environment have changed dramatically, or your loved one may have a medical emergency or a fall.  You might worry about your senior's safety or the safety of others. Many seniors express a desire to live at home for as long as possible, but it's wise to have a plan in place before a move is necessary.  Discussing possible changes before the more significant challenges occur allows your senior to participate in the decision and feel better about the future. If your loved one lives in a retirement community, professionals who see them frequently can make a note of changes and let you know [...]

Natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, fires and blizzards can be scary, but they can seem even scarier to someone with Alzheimer’s. It’s very important to have a disaster preparedness plan for these kinds of emergencies so that your loved one feels secure, and if your loved one is in a memory care community, then you need to know the specific facility’s plan.   Disaster Preparedness Plan If your loved one is in memory care, then knowing their disaster plan is a must. Contact the community to find out who coordinates disaster evacuations, and make sure they have copies of the patient’s medical history and any medications they might need, should something happen. If the Alzheimer's resident has other special devices such as a walker, wheelchair, or an oxygen tank, then make sure the person in charge knows that. Also, find out where your loved one will be moved should a disaster occur, and how the community would communicate with you and others in your family. If your loved one is not at a memory care community, then you will be in charge of their evacuation plan. Know that during a natural disaster your loved one might have an increased risk for wandering or becoming agitated. If you are evacuating to a specific location, then make sure that people around you know about their diagnosis so they can better assist you. Also, do whatever you can to stay together. This will help make sure your loved one won’t get lost and become even more confused. Most importantly- stay calm. If you are calm, it will help your loved one remain calm, too.   Emergency Supplies Your Loved One Might Need This extensive list [...]

Memory Care vs. Skilled Nursing Facilities: What's the difference? Advice for families in search of the right care for their loved ones Finding long-term care for a loved one can be overwhelming. You want them to be safe, happy, and well cared for, but what kind of care community do they need? Skilled nursing and memory care facilities do cover similar care needs. Still, the focus and scope of care are different, so it's essential to know the difference between each community.   Let's start with similarities Skilled Nursing Facilities (also known as SNF) and memory care communities provide 24-hour caregiving with meals, housekeeping, social activities, and help with daily tasks. They both typically coordinate care with physical rehabilitation and sometimes have in-house therapists who come to the patient's room.   The differences: Skilled Nursing  If a patient does not require hospitalization but cannot care for themself, a physician may order a stay in a skilled nursing facility where they can receive additional therapies. Due to health complications, patients may be confined to a bed or a wheelchair or have medical issues requiring a healthcare professional instead of an aide. Skilled nursing patients may be in residence on a long or short-term stay, depending on their condition. Many eventually move to a nursing home because they need less medical attention or return home for the duration of their recovery. Medicare provides good short-term coverage for patients in skilled nursing who have transitioned from a hospital stay, but not for those admitted otherwise or those who choose to stay when their coverage ends.   The differences: Memory Care Memory care programs are designed specifically for those with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. They have [...]