Everything You Need to Know About Dementia Care at Twin Lakes

Blog Category: Health

Dementia and dementia care are becoming important talking points across America as one of the biggest generations is aging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2020 that roughly 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s, while 55 million people suffer from dementia worldwide. And those numbers are expected to triple by 2060.

For many with dementia, there will come a time when they need more than family caregiving and may require placement in a long-term care community. Some communities provide support for those with dementia or memory care needs, while others do not. If you are considering a community that offers dementia care, there are a few factors you should think about first.

Dementia Care and Assisted Living

There are 30,000 assisted living communities across the United States. Some of these cater to adults with memory care needs and may be called memory care centers. These communities that specialize in memory and dementia care, like Twin Lakes, offer better support for seniors experiencing cognitive decline than traditional assisted living communities.

These communities often offer 24-hour supervised care in a secure area to help keep residents safe and prevent them from wandering. Those experiencing dementia need a certain level of assistance given that the disease affects not only memory, but cognition and physical abilities as well.

Essentially, there are many ways to care for someone with dementia or memory care needs. It is key to find a community that offers three essential components:

  • Caring staff
  • Structured, patient-first programs that offer engagement
  • 24-hour emergency response

Programs and Activities

What makes one community better than another often comes down to the type of programs available for those with dementia care needs. Dementia can present differently in each person and it doesn’t always present as memory issues. Sometimes it can present as a processing issue, communication challenges, depth perception, and more. At Twin Lakes, each associate is trained in a wide range of activities to suit a wide range of needs.

Tiers of Dementia Care

Often, as an individual’s dementia progresses, he or she may need additional levels of care. This is why some communities are structured with certain tiers, often referred to as a continuum. These different levels ensure that the individual receives the right care at the right time while remaining as independent as possible.

Activities for Dementia

There are many activities that are great for those with memory care needs. A few include:

  • Socializing
  • Arts and crafts
  • Listening to music
  • Working on puzzles
  • Looking through photo albums
  • Exercising
  • Animal visits

Having more than one activity to switch things up can lead to positive outcomes. For example, combining activities like animal visits and exercise could be covered by walking a dog. These combinations can help people with dementia to feel more grounded. 

Start Your Search Before You Need It

Dementia care and memory support will continue to evolve as advances in medicine are made. However, the best time to look for care is long before you need it. You should begin your search early so if it is necessary you already have made your choice. This can make things a lot easier for your family.

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