An Assisted Living Facility With Dementia Care Might Be A Good Place For Your Loved One

If you have a parent or other loved one with early dementia, it probably isn't safe for them to live alone. They may still have periods of normal functioning and not need to be in a nursing home but supervision should be available for when it's needed. One possible solution is to move your loved one into an assisted living facility that's designed to handle people with dementia. Here's why this might be a good choice.

Your Loved One Will Have Supervision At Night

One common trait of people with dementia is that their confusion is often worse at night. Your loved one may seem fairly calm and normal during the day and then when it gets late in the evening, their confusion gets worse. They may even become aggressive. This condition is known as sundown syndrome, and it's one reason it's dangerous for people with dementia to live alone. Being in a place with 24-hour staff is a good setting so your loved one will have supervision at night when they may be active and destructive.

The Building Will Prevent Wandering

Another potential problem your loved one may develop is the tendency to wander. When this is combined with confusion and memory loss, your loved one may get lost easily once they've stepped outside. There may be an impulse to walk and wander constantly, so a facility that handles dementia patients has safeguards in place to keep your loved one from walking off. This may involve a double door system with locks so your loved one can walk around inside as much as they want without the risk of the getting outdoors.

Nutritional Support Is Provided

Weight loss is common with dementia because cooking may become too difficult and unsafe. Your loved one may have a loss of appetite or lose the ability to feed themselves. Rapid weight loss could lead to other health problems, and it can often be avoided if someone else can provide nutritional meals and supervise feeding so your loved one takes in enough nutritious food to maintain weight and good health. Dehydration is another potential problem as your loved one may forget to drink water throughout the day. An assisted living facility ensures your loved one drinks plenty of fluids to prevent problems caused by dehydration.

Social Interaction Is Available

Your loved one may become depressed, socially isolated, and fearful when they have problems thinking and communicating due to dementia. In an assisted living facility, there is always someone around to socialize with for entertainment and comfort. Your loved one may be encouraged to participate in group activities or one-on-one conversations to keep their brain stimulated and to maintain a meaningful life for as long as possible.

Having a loved one with dementia is not an easy thing to go through for them or you, and you want to make sure they get the best care possible. A traditional assisted living facility may not be enough for someone with dementia who has unique needs. A place that is equipped and staffed to care for your loved one who may come and go with periods of lucidity is important for safety and quality of life. Visit a site like http://graceseniorcommunity.com/ for more information. 


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