The Kind of Senior Care That Is Required for Elders with Memory Disorders

Not all senior living and care is equal, some care is more suited to specific needs and even medical situations and conditions. One of the top concerns that has been in the limelight in recent times are memory disorders. Here are a few insights into to the kind of care that the elderly with memory disorders and any of the main memory diseases will require and why.

The top elderly memory disorders

The most notable and widespread of all memory-related diseases in seniors are Alzheimer’s, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment. They all affect the mental state and the ability to do some of the simplest things that we all take for granted. Speaking, remembering, socializing, and even looking after ourselves can become difficult to do.

Symptoms/issues and challenges are faced by those with these diseases

The symptoms of these memory disorders are largely related and generally include confusion, the inability to communicate clearly and learn new things, and forgetting things. The main aspect is that they are all a form of cognitive impairment with the possibility of further cognitive decline.

The kind of care needed for those suffering from or challenged by a memory disorder

• Support and reassurance: rather than constantly correcting them or reminding them, those with any form of memory disorder need to simply be supported and reassured that they are ok and will be able to deal with the changes that are occurring. This may seem obvious, but it must be a conscious decision and approach to the type or kind of care provided for those requiring memory care.

• Assistance with managing money: the ability to manage their finances is a major issue that seniors with any of the aforementioned memory disorders have. Any care solution needs to have an element of financial advice and support, either through the elderly person’s family or themselves for as long as they are able to be involved.

• Group activities: meeting other elderly people who are going through the same thing and have an early onset of cognitive disorder is a great way for sufferers to start coming to terms with the disease and what it will mean for them. There are also community-type residential care homes that offer specific solutions such as memory care in Missouri where the entire residential establishment is set up to take care of those requiring memory care specifically.

• Daily basic need support: there may come a time when the elderly person requires daily support with their daily routine, everything from personal hygiene to dressing and eating and exercising. It’s important to discuss this possibility beforehand and ensure that a form of living will is established which will ensure that the person gets exactly what they want in terms of care and support.

The argument is that all the elderly and those in their senior years need this kind of care and attention in their later years, however those who have any form of cognitive impairment or any of the memory disorders require these to be considered in the way that their care is structured.