The Alzheimer’s Society claimed in a recent survey that over 750,000 people suffered from Alzheimer’s and related dementia problems. In the United States it is calculated that an estimated 4.5 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s and that this figure has doubled since 1980.

Further alarming statistics highlight the fact that it is possible that in the US alone, the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s could more than double to between 11.5 and 13 million sufferers by 2050.

Alzheimer’s disease is what is described as a progressive disorder of the brain that gradually destroys a persons’ memory, ability to learn, reason, make judgements, communicate and carry out daily activities. As the disease progresses, sufferers may also experience changes in their personality and display such behavioural changes ranging from anxiety, agitation or suspicion right up to and / or including delusions and hallucinations

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new treatments are on the horizon as a result of accelerating insight into the biology of the disease. Research has also shown that effective care and support can improve quality of life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease from diagnosis to the end of life.

Considering the long term implications for Alzheimer’s sufferers, the hidden sociological impact will in reality be born on the shoulders of those who will be caring for the sufferers for it is indeed a bittersweet irony that those who care for the sufferers in reality suffer more than the sufferers do themselves.

This fact in itself has been largely responsible for another survey finding recently and that was the fact that Americans are equally afraid of caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s as much as they are of developing the disease themselves. Approximately 1 in 2 American adults are more apprehensive of caring for partner or loved one who has developed Alzheimer’s. Just less than 1 in 5 American adults have indicated that they are more afraid of getting the disease themselves (17%).

The real problem from a carer’s perspective is that no two people experience Alzheimer’s disease in the same way. As a result, there’s no one approach to care giving. Your care giving responsibilities can range from making financial decisions, managing changes in behaviour, to helping a loved one get dressed in the morning.

Handling these duties is hard work. But by learning care giving skills, you can make sure that your loved one feels supported and is living a full life. You can also ensure that you are taking steps to preserve your own well-being.

Caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another illness involving dementia can be very difficult, time-consuming, and stressful – (serious understatement here). Here are some more things a care giver can do to help the person with Alzheimer’s disease while also reducing the substantial burden that comes with care giving:

    * Stay Informed – Knowledge equals power. The more you know about Alzheimer’s disease or any other signs of dementia, the better you can prepare yourself to deal with problems that may arise.

    * Share concerns with the person – A person who is mildly to moderately impaired can assist in his/her own care. Memory aides and other strategies can be created by the person with dementia and the caregiver together. This is easier said than done I know but you have to give it a try. But, and this is a big but (no laughs here please) it is essential that you realise that you are probably dealing with a person who if they have any cognisance at all, will be in denial.

    * Solve problems one at a time – A multitude of problems may occur that may seem insurmountable at the time. Work on one specific problem at a time — you do not have to solve every problem all at once. As the saying goes “Success by the inch is a cinch, by the yard it’s hard” and in this case this has never been more true.

    * Use your imagination – One of the keys to handling this disease is your ability to adapt. If something can’t be done one way, try another. For example, if the person only uses his or her fingers for eating, do not keep fighting; just serve as many finger foods as possible!

    * Establish an environment that encourages freedom and activity within limits Try to create a stable, balanced schedule for meals, medication, etc. but also encourage activities that the patient can handle such as taking a walk or visiting an old friend. Remember, the person with AD is not the only one whose needs must be taken into consideration. You as a caregiver have needs and desires that must also be met. First, try and find some time for yourself. Even though this suggestion may seem like an impossibility, find some time during the week where you can have someone else watch the patient — be it a relative, friend, or neighbour — and do something for yourself.

    * Avoid social isolation – Keep up contacts with friends and relatives. It’s easy to get burned out when it seems like you have no one to turn to. Another way to establish contacts is by joining the Alzheimer’s Association or other such support groups. Talking with other families who share many of the very same problems can be reassuring as it helps you know you are not alone in your round-the-clock struggles.

Families in Wyoming, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and neighboring communities now have Michigan’s finest dementia care experts in their own backyard, providing care for loved ones close to home.

Our Grand Rapids community provides an environment for residents to enjoy modern amenities, state of the art care, and all the comforts of home. Residents live in two residential-style neighborhoods with private suites and large living spaces for relaxation, activities, and entertaining visitors. A clubhouse connects the homes and has a café, chapel, and even more space for families to enjoy. Every aspect of our community is designed with our residents in mind. A secure, central courtyard is available to all with abundant outdoor seating, picnic areas, and gardens. We believe that promoting outdoor activity in a safe environment is one of the keys to quality memory care.

Grand Brook Memory Care of Grand Rapids is conveniently located in Wyoming on the corner of Wilson Ave. SW and 52^nd St. SW, just south of RiverTown Crossings shopping area.

Questions?

To learn more about Grand Brook Memory Care of Grand Rapids, please contact us at 616-286-1266. We look forward to welcoming you to the Grand Brook family!

Time marches on and so do we. Before we all know it, we are older and so are our parents or loved ones. Caring for them and being sure their needs are met become a major concern especially once they begin to not be able to look after themselves as they are used to. This dilemma touches most every family. The thing to avoid is to stay under a veil of ignorance by not understanding your options and waiting until the last minute to form an abrupt and sometimes uniformed decision. looking after the elderly is of utmost importance. this may be addressed in comparison between adult day care, assisted living, and assisted nursing care.

Adult day care has the shortest care periods and typically lasts up to eight hours each day and 5 days every week. People with Alzheimer’s, the feeble, the physically handicapped, people with declining brain function and also the hearing and visually impaired are included during this sort of care. It works as respite for busy caregivers and offers social and recreational activities, meals, therapy, health and social services. Usually there’s an assessment made from the requirements of every person before they enter the program. it’s also important to seek out out how physically able they’re because adult day care does provide rehabilitative services and private care. one among its greatest advantages is that it helps people remain independent and be ready to accept loved ones as long as they will plus it gives caregivers the break they often need.

The next level up in care, if the elderly aren’t living with friends or family is assisted living. it’s for seniors who are somewhat independent and who need more care than a retirement community has available. the main target is on allowing individual residents’ independence, need for privacy, choice, and safety. The services offered are personal (bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and eating), health care (which also involves management of medications), social and physical activities, 24-hour supervision, education, laundry, linen, housekeeping, maintenance, shopping, meal prep, money management and transportation. an individual can occupy a furnished or unfurnished studio or 1-bedroom unit with a rest room. Some places have a shared bathroom. Also some units may have kitchenettes or a full kitchen..

A potential resident is assessed in line with physical and cognitive abilities, mental awareness, case history (including medications being taken) and a few personal history to seek out out if assisted living may be a good option. relations are encouraged to continue being part of the resident’s life and are welcome to attend social activities throughout the year and on holidays. Most of the time assisted living places have a full-time nurse and trained staff. Meals are eaten usually in a dining room and assistance is given when needed. Activities are planned throughout the day and residents have a choice to attend or not. Church services are held, some being a particular denomination and there’s usually a non-denominational gathering. Assisted care is regulated by the state.

The nursing home is generally the most intensive in care (along with adult family care homes). The residents have definite physical needs. they typically have physical or mental disorders or happen to be too feeble and/or unable to maneuver around, bathe or prepare their own meals. Their Activities of Daily living are minimal and low functioning. As a general rule, there’ll be no recovery or ability to care of themselves, so assistance may be a necessity for many or all ADL’s. There are definite medical needs too.

Nurses and nursing aids are available around the clock. due to the residents’ needs, nursing homes are staffed with the fact in mind. there’s full management of medication and it’s administered consistent with a physician’s orders. an individual can obtain a personal room if he/she is paying with private funds. Normally, there are 2 people to an area . Meals are delivered to them or residents are taken to the dining room. Besides full assistance, nursing homes offer rehabilitative services, exercise, social activities, laundry, housekeeping, and pre prepped meals. Families and friends are encouraged to visit them.

The Grand Brook Memory Care family is proud to be expanding its commitment to compassionate memory care services with the opening of its newest 42-resident assisted living memory care community in Grand Rapids. Families in Wyoming, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and neighboring communities now have Michigan’s finest dementia care experts in their own back yard, providing care for loved ones close to home.

Our Grand Rapids community provides an environment for residents to enjoy modern amenities, state of the art care, and all the comforts of home. Residents live in two residential-style neighborhoods with private suites and large living spaces for relaxation, activities, and entertaining visitors. A clubhouse connects the homes and has a café, chapel, and even more space for families to enjoy. Every aspect of our community is designed with our residents in mind. A secure, central courtyard is available to all with abundant outdoor seating, picnic areas, and gardens. We believe that promoting outdoor activity in a safe environment is one of the keys to quality memory care.

To learn more about Grand Brook Memory Care of Grand Rapids, please contact us at 616-286-1266. We look forward to welcoming you to the Grand Brook family!

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition affecting up to 4.5 million Americans. While there is no known cure, studies have been conducted that indicate there may be ways of preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

The disease is characterized by symptoms such as forgetfulness, memory loss, and reduced ability to concentrate, and in later stages the sufferer may display anxiety and delusions, loss of speech and inability to sit up or walk. It is a slow disease with symptoms manifesting and worsening over the period of many years.

The now famous, groundbreaking “nun study” went a long way toward identifying characteristics that would indicate the likelihood of Alzheimer’s onset later in life. 100 nuns have been studied over a period of fifteen years, beginning in 1991. Over the course of those years, their genes have been tested and analyzed, physical balance and strength charted, and cognitive tests run to determine how many words the women could remember several minutes after reading them, how many animals they could name in a minute, and if they could correctly count coins. The research shows that people who scored lower on cognitive ability tests when young were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s later in life. Early cognitive ability was measured based on writings done by the nuns while in their early 20’s. Those showing more “idea density” – the number of ideas expressed in the fewest number of words – and better linguistic and grammar skills had a much lower incidence of Alzheimer’s later in life. Scientists are of the opinion that good cognitive skills early on creates a sort of “neurocognitive reserve” which will be drawn on later, effectively preventing Alzheimer’s. Exercising and improving cognitive skills via writing, reading and learning – anything that stimulates the brain – may go a long way toward active, clearheaded and graceful aging.

There are a number of other things, as well, that you can do to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s. Many of these prevention techniques involve limbering the mind and working on memory skills long before Alzheimer’s onset is a danger. Just having a mentally stimulating job that involves creative thinking or manipulation of data is shown to have a connection to lower incidence of Alzheimer’s later in life. Doing crossword puzzles and playing card games were found to have a significant positive impact on later mental dexterity. Employ memorization techniques used by actors. Actors don’t merely memorize a series of words. They also combine appropriate movements, and evaluate the intent behind the words to be delivered. This “active-experiencing” method of memorization was shown to also improve the memory and cognitive skills in older people who were taught the technique. Limbering your mind now may promote a limber mind in your latter years.

Proper diet and exercise promote good health in general and may ward off countless problems including Alzheimer’s onset. The addition of fish oils, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C to the diet have all shown to contribute to a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s. Keeping cholesterol at a healthy level prevents build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain – a characteristic in Alzheimer’s. Finally, physical activity has been shown to prevent deposits in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Exercise your mind and body, and make good lifestyle choices, as the only “cure” for Alzheimer’s as yet, is prevention. While there is believed to be a genetic component which would predispose someone to the risk of Alzheimer’s, awareness, early planning and mental exercise, and smart dietary choices may aid to reduce your likelihood of developing this mysterious and debilitating disease. A healthy mind and a healthy body now will make for a healthy mind and body later.

Looking for a new memory care or assisted living community in the Rogers, Arkansas-area? Look no further than Grand Brook Memory Care of Rogers.

Grand Brook Memory Care offers you and your loved one the very best in dementia care. Our Rogers community has been specifically designed to address the unique needs of individuals living with memory impairment. Each member of our care team is fully trained in areas involving dementia and memory care. Our compassionate, caring staff surrounds your loved one with kindness, encouragement and understanding.

To learn more about Grand Brook Memory Care in Rogers or schedule a tour, please contact our Director of Community Relations, Colleen Marie Thompson, at (479) 644-7335

Assisted living facilities are intended for senior residents and the disabled who require housing, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, and support with taking medicine. These establishments enable individuals to stick to an independent lifestyle and at the same time supply the right type of services needed in everyday activities. Occupants of assisted living facilities are commonly unable to live alone but are also not in need of full-time care. Thus, an assisted living facility provides an alternate to nursing homes that are more best suited for senior citizens with a significantly greater need for care.

Assisted living facilities are often times referred to as residential care, personal care, adult congregate living care, domiciliary care, retirement residences, adult homes, etc. Assisted living facilities often work in conjunction with nursing homes and independent living residences. Together, the 3 constitute Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Thus, an patient can start by shifting into an independent living home and progress to assisted living facilities or a nursing home dependent upon his needs as he ages.

Housing facilities can be independent single rooms or private suites. Assisted living residences often have unsuited bath areas and common dining areas. The senior and housing facility are expected to enter into a written occupancy plan. Assisted living facilities can provide house cleaning services, food services, washing clothes, and round-the-clock emergency solutions.

The personalized assistance supplied at assisted living facilities assure that the self-respect and self-regard of the occupants are upheld and that they get adequate ventures to socialize, make friends, and also keep in contact with their family. The assistance can be either routine or intensive. The personal assistants are certified to be conscious of the demands and values of senior citizen. They usually possess a college home support/resident care aide certificate or have the necessary balance of experience and education. Personal assistants may operate under the supervision of practitioners such as registered nurses.

The key things to keep in mind while finding an assisted living facility should include:

•           Environment – This would include the capacity of the establishment, visiting hours, opportunities for socialization, and meal-related information.

•           Activities – Factors such as flexibility of schedule, appeal of lounge areas, and chance of communicating with neighboring places should be regarded.

•           Comforts – Presence of exercise centers, availability of equipment for supporting individuals with special needs, religious facilities, and storage room are the amenities that should be available.

•           Prices – Costs of residing at the facility, rate at which expenses fluctuate, as well as services and utilities included in the costs are some of the qualities that should be thought about while checking out the expenses.

A facility should be paid a visit to and the feedback of staff and residents should be taken into consideration. In order to get a thorough picture, the facility should be visited on multiple instances at separate hours of the day over a course of time.

The Grand Brook Memory Care family is proud to be expanding its commitment to compassionate memory care services with the opening of its newest 42-resident assisted living memory care community in Grand Rapids. Families in Wyoming, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and neighboring communities now have Michigan’s finest dementia care experts in their own back yard, providing care for loved ones close to home.

Our Grand Rapids community provides an environment for residents to enjoy modern amenities, state of the art care, and all the comforts of home. Residents live in two residential-style neighborhoods with private suites and large living spaces for relaxation, activities, and entertaining visitors. A clubhouse connects the homes and has a café, chapel, and even more space for families to enjoy. Every aspect of our community is designed with our residents in mind. A secure, central courtyard is available to all with abundant outdoor seating, picnic areas, and gardens. We believe that promoting outdoor activity in a safe environment is one of the keys to quality memory care.

To learn more about Grand Brook Memory Care of Grand Rapids, please contact us at 616-286-1266. We look forward to welcoming you to the Grand Brook family!