Your loved one has developed Alzheimer’s disease, and you know that it is only a matter of time before they’ll need to be in a nursing home. One thing you should start looking into now is a memory care unit.
Unlike a traditional nursing home, a memory care-focused home is designed to take care of those with serious dementia. They may lock doors, keep to strict routines or complete treatments that may not be available in a nursing home without specific memory care units.
Specialized care is needed for Alzheimer’s disease
Specialized care is needed for Alzheimer’s disease. Those who have this condition may forget the names of friends or family members. They might forget the ages of grandchildren or be unable to complete simple tasks any longer.
That’s why it’s essential to plan for safe care. Someone who has dementia is at a higher risk for issues within the community and within their own home, according to Veteran’s Health Library, and they often need to be monitored. The best kind of living arrangement may be residential care, assisted living or nursing home care, so long as there is a focus on memory care, specifically.
While your loved one is still in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, it’s time to talk to them about their wishes and how to provide them with long-term care that they’re satisfied with. Advance care planning will help them give you a better idea of what they want, so you can also be there to support their decisions when they can no longer speak for themselves.
Living with a form of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease is difficult, but early planning can make long-term care safer and more effective.