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Why Choose Assisted Living for A Loved One with Dementia?

by | Apr 24, 2024 | Senior Living | 0 comments

Last year, a Place for Mom1 reported that almost 42 million Americans had provided informal care for a senior during the previous year, with 40%-70% of family caregivers experiencing clinical symptoms of depression.

In 2022, a U.S.-based study investigated the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on caregivers. It was found that more than half (58%) of the family caregivers surveyed felt extreme levels of stress.2

Caregiver burnout is natural, common, and never a sign of failure.

Challenges Faced by Family Caregivers 

A 2020 review3 investigating the impact of supporting a family member with dementia found that while caregiving can lead to feelings of personal accomplishment and strengthened relationships, adverse social and emotional consequences of caregiving are common, too. This review also found that factors like inappropriate medical support and formal care, illness progression, and financial burden may exacerbate the negative aspects of caregiving.

In a 2022 survey,2 many family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients reported:

    • Extreme stress
    • Reduced sleep
    • Social isolation
    • Not trying to get help from others
    • Feeling worried for their loved one
    • Increased alcohol/marijuana use

Statistics show that both informal caregiving, in general, and caring for a senior with dementia can have severe physical, social, and emotional impacts. If you believe you’re experiencing caregiver burnout, it’s important to remember that you’re far from alone. Many of the most well-intended, dedicated, and loving caregivers suffer. This can be due to a host of factors, but one of the most frequently reported for caregivers of seniors with dementia is difficulty balancing personal needs against those of the relatives they care for.4

When Should You Consider Residential Senior Care?

The Alzheimer’s Association5 suggests considering the following when deciding whether it’s time to move your loved one living with dementia to a residential care setting:

  • How safe are they in their home?
  • Is their health being put at risk?
  • Is your health being put at risk?
  • Do their needs outweigh your physical capabilities?
  • Are you neglecting other important areas (e.g., family, self-care, work)?
  • Would they benefit from more social interaction or structure?

What Is Assisted Living Senior Care?

Assisted living is a type of residential senior care. Assisted living residents typically have more freedom and independence than those in a nursing home setting. There’s often a lot of variety in the levels of care needed by residents. At the same time, some may benefit from on-site activities and meals; others may require additional support with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, eating, using the bathroom, moving around, and getting dressed. In assisted living, residents might live in a comfortable, home-like setting with other seniors or have a private room within a larger community.

Assisted Living Communities Typically Offer:

    • Meals and snacks served daily in a communal dining area.
    • Tailored ADL support from professional caregivers.
    • Adapted facilities to support safe independence.
    • On-site activities and social events.

Can Assisted Living Support Seniors with Dementia?

This depends on the provider; some assisted living communities have a residential memory care program, and others do not. If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, make sure to determine whether or not the community has a memory care program when doing your research. Having access to caregivers experienced in providing the proper tailored support is vital for seniors with dementia, particularly in the middle to late stages.

Why Choose Alpine View Lodge for Residential Memory Care in San Diego?

Leading Expertise

As the memory care leader in San Diego County, we’re renowned for our extensive dementia care program. For over 40 years, our expert caregivers have dedicated themselves to ensuring residents thrive – feeling supported, empowered, and valued each day. Nestled among beautiful hills and vast countryside, Alpine View Lodge is the perfect location for aging adults with memory loss to experience expert care and a quality lifestyle.

Our extensive memory care program supports seniors with a range of conditions that can cause cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. We understand that each senior has a unique personality, changing symptoms, and different co-occurring illnesses, so we develop highly personalized and constantly reviewed memory care plans.

Additionally, we’re proud to offer trusted, compassionate hospice care. It’s important to us that our residents enjoy the remainder of their lives in the place where they’ve grown to feel comfortable, settled, and supported. For seniors with advanced dementia who struggle with change, this can be particularly valuable and alleviate a great deal of worry for family caregivers.

Engaging Lifestyle Options

As a residential memory care provider, many of our activities are selected for the needs of seniors with dementia. For example, arts and crafts have been shown to reduce isolation and depression in individuals with dementia while also providing the power of choice and decision-making.6 We also offer musical activities, which can help seniors with dementia express feelings and ideas, prompt reminiscing, encourage social and physical activity, and reduce distress.7 

Other activities we regularly host include pet therapy, movie nights, educational classes, and various family events. Offering a careful balance of energetic activities and opportunities for calm, we provide a social and sensory equilibrium level to suit each resident.

Supporting Family Caregivers 

If you’re struggling to find the balance between caring for a loved one with dementia and meeting your own needs, or if your loved one’s condition is becoming too difficult to manage on your own, you deserve support. As residential memory care specialists, we deeply understand how difficult it can be to trust an assisted living community with your loved one’s care. We’re here to put your mind at rest, offering a solution to help your loved one live happily while granting you the space to return to your original role as a son, daughter, or beloved relative.

Arrange a tour today to see our community in action and meet our compassionate, highly trained caregivers.

 

 

 

References
  1. Schier-Akamelu R. 2023 caregiver burnout and stress statistics. A Place for Mom. Updated June 13, 2023. Accessed April 21, 2024. https://www.aplaceformom.com/senior-living-data/articles/caregiver-burnout-statistics.
  2. Vu M, Mangal R, Stead T, Lopez-Ortiz C, Ganti L. Impact of Alzheimer’s disease on caregivers in the United States. Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(3):37454. doi:10.52965/001c.37454.
  3. Lindeza P, Rodrigues M, Costa J, Guerreiro M, Rosa MM. Impact of dementia on informal care: A systematic review of family caregivers’ perceptions. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 2020. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002242.
  4. Quinn C, Clare L, Woods RT. Balancing needs: The role of motivations, meanings and relationship dynamics in the experience of informal caregivers of people with dementia. Dementia. 2015;14(2):220-237. doi:10.1177/1471301213495863.
  5. Alzheimer’s Association. Long-term care. Accessed April 21, 2024. https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/long-term-care.
  6. Hannemann BT. Creativity with dementia patients. Can creativity and art stimulate dementia patients positively? Gerontology. 2006;52(1):59-65. doi: 10.1159/000089827.
  7. Dementia UK. Music and dementia. Published October, 2023. Accessed April 21, 2024. https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/living-with-dementia/music-and-dementia/.