Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, incurable disease that slowly takes away one's ability to care for their own needs. In the beginning stages, a person may only experience slight forgetfulness as they go throughout their day. Some often feel as though they are just aging normally, being a little confused every once in awhile but able to manage most of the time. As the disease progresses, people become more confused and more likely to get lost while out on a familiar route. They may start to have trouble cooking, leaving hot pans on the stove to burn while they begin doing something else. Once the disease has progressed to this stage, many people find that assisted living is the next logical step.

Why Assisted Living is the Answer

It's important to give anyone who is dealing with Alzheimer's disease as much independence as possible but help them to remain safe at the same time. Assisted living facilities offer daily support, medication reminders and meal preparation for those dealing with mild to moderate impairments but who are still able to perform basic daily living skills like dressing, grooming and bathing. In assisted living, residents are able to live in their own apartment but have staff come in to check on them to make sure they are safe. As meals are prepared for everyone, each resident has the option of community meals three times a day. People who are dealing with the progressive nature of Alzheimer's don't have to feel alone in their struggle.

Assisted Living and Dementia Care

As a person living with dementia becomes more confused and less able to remain safe while on their own, most assisted living facilities will have a dementia care unit. This means that residents on this floor are more closely monitored and kept safe with alarmed doors that lead off of the unit. While this is restrictive, residents are still expected to do their own personal care, and they will have their own apartment on the unit. There is often a fine line between a dementia care unit in assisted living and nursing home care, but as long as a resident can take care of their own grooming they are appropriate for an assisted living facility.

If you or a loved one are in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, it's important to plan for the future. Set up an appointment to tour an assisted living facility, like Haven  Care, and see what your options are before you are unable to make the choices for yourself.