When loved ones are suffering from a form of dementia and can no longer live on their own safely, it may be time to find a memory care community that is right for them. They can live a better life in a safe environment with caregivers trained in the care of dementia residents. A community dedicated to caring for dementia residents will have programs in place that will help the residents live the best lives possible with maintaining their dignity and wellbeing as goals.

Seeking Care

Seeking memory care for a loved one can be a daunting task. However, there are often senior care experts and family doctors to give advice. The memory care communities in California, such as Summerfield on Fresno, have counselors who can meet with families to provide advice, work with them to choose the right program, and get financing in place. There are tours of communities to help the families choose what seems best for their family members.

The right community will have care staff to meet all the residents’ needs. They will use state-of-the-art technology for all aspects of the care of dementia residents. Their goal will be the well-being and happiness of their dementia residents. They will design care plans for each individual based on their symptoms, personalities, habits, and preferences.

Memory care communities should communicate with residents’ families to let them know how the resident is doing and what activities and events are happening in the community. They will be open to family inquiries and concerns.

Residents will have their own private area and public spaces for socializing. There will be activities to enjoy and chances for socialization rather than lonely isolation.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is hard to identify and categorize because it is really an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms and causes that affect a person’s memory and cognitive skills. Dementia affects a person’s thinking and social abilities as well as their communication and daily living skills. Some of the types of Dementia include the following.

  • Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia and can be caused by the mutation of genes, heredity, plaques or clumps of protein, and fibrous tangles of tau protein.
  • Vascular Dementia is caused by some damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. This can also cause strokes.
  • Lewy Body Dementia consists of nasty balloon-like clumps of protein in the brain.
  • Frontotemporal Dementia is a group of diseases that include a breakdown of nerve cells and connections in the frontal lobe and the temporal lobe of the brain.
  • Mixed Dementia is common in people who are 80 years and older and is a combination of several types of dementia symptoms and causes.
  • Huntington’s disease is caused by genetic mutations and can start in people as young as 30 or 40.
  • Traumatic brain injury happens with boxers, soldiers, and football players that suffer repeated head trauma causing injury to different parts of the brain.
  • Parkinson’s disease patients often develop dementia as the disease progresses.

The treatment and prognosis for residents with dementia vary with the causes and type. It is important to give each person a thorough physical and mental exam to determine the cause of their dementia symptoms and the best way to provide help. An individual care plan must be designed and followed. A memory care community might be the best setting for this treatment.

Can Dementia Be Cured?

Dementia is not curable right now, but progress is being made for the future. Dementia can be treated to give the residents suffering from it the best life possible for as long as possible. Memory care communities can use their specialized knowledge to keep residents engaged and living the best life possible in a safe, secure setting.

When residents have all their health issues, diet requirements, and care needs taken care of, they do better. Socialization can help residents improve. A good treatment program can give them a life with dignity and comfort. Communities that are designed to care for dementia residents use the latest technology and treatment protocols to help dementia residents do their best. Group activities and a safe, pleasant surrounding help residents feel better.

When families are part of the care plan and visit often, it is beneficial for the residents. The best memory care communities make an effort to keep loved ones informed of the residents progress and treatments as well as health concerns.