A dementia diagnosis, particularly the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, can be an absolutely life changing event, both for the patient and the patient’s family and friends. Alzheimer’s can steal a patient of hope, as it is a top ten cause of death in the United States and has no known way of slowing or halting the progression of the disease. But early detection of dementia can help in that it gives the patient and the family more time to settle affairs, to spend quality time together, and to decide on whether or not assisted living facilities would be a good fit.
Assisted living apartments and facilities provide long term care for alzheimers patients as well as help with alzheimers care. There are many different types of dementia (over one hundred) and early detection of dementia can help care provides give the best treatment possible.
Assisted living facilities can provide an often necessary relief to families of dementia patients. Caring for those afflicted by dementia can be time consuming as well as mentally and financially draining. 55% of dementia patients are more concerned about the burden they will place on their families as their disease continues to progress than they are about dying itself. But often families are hesitant to look into assisted living, thinking of it as a nursing home, something the patients, especially in cases of early detection of dementia, are not nearly ready for. This is, however, not true at all. In fact, a 2009 study shows that being part of an assisted living community actually betters the chances for seniors, particularly those living with dementia, to make friends and become involved in activities and a community. They’ve also proven to be more likely to try new things, and most patients have reported having a better experience in assisted living communities than they originally thought that they would.
While assisted living facilities provide a sense of community, they also provide a level of care that is often not available or accessible in a family home. Assisted living facilities can provide around the clock supervision, full nourishing meals, as well as services personalized to the patient (for example, laundry). Most of these services are actually geared at keeping the patient as independent as possible, providing support where it is necessary.
When early detection of dementia has recently happened to a loved one, the future can seem daunting and uncertain. Knowing that they have a place to go where they will receive support and care as well as community can be reassuring.