You’re sitting at the dinner table with your family members when suddenly your grandpa calls you the wrong name. At first you just brush it off, but then you notice he seems to call everyone the wrong name and look genuinely confused when somebody corrects him. This could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease which negatively affects cognitive function. Adults 65 and older are typically more at-risk for developing Alzheimer’s and unfortunately, the disease only worsens as time goes on. If you’re worried that your loved one may have Alzheimer’s, there are 10 early signs and symptoms to look out for.
Early Sign
Early Signs To Look For
10 early signs and symptoms to look out for
Memory Loss
If your loved one is often forgetting important dates, repeatedly asking the same questions, relying more on family members to handle things they used to handle themselves, and forgetting information as soon as they’ve learned it; this could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Occasionally forgetting names or appointments but remembering later is considered normal.
Difficulty Problem-Solving & Planning
When it comes to numbers, a person living with early Alzheimer’s may have trouble concentrating and managing finances, resulting in taking much longer to complete tasks than usual.
Difficulty Completing Simple Tasks
e.g., Driving in a familiar location can suddenly become unfamiliar.
Confusion with Time or Place
Your loved one may not remember what day of the week it is or have any recollection of where they are. This worsens with disease progression to the point where it can become dangerous to leave your love one unattended for extensive periods of time. Forgetting what day it is occasionally is normal, but people suffering from Alzheimer’s will become completely unaware of time.
Vision Problems or Difficulty Determining Space
Driving becomes severely difficult when a person’s vision and sense of space is negatively affected by Alzheimer’s. Vision problems tend to occur with age and should be monitored regularly.
Impaired Speech or Writing
Holding verbal or written conversations becomes challenging. Sometimes the wrong words are used to describe an object, vocabulary is not as strong, and repetition occurs often.
Losing Items
A common step people follow when they lose something is retracing their steps in hopes of locating the lost item. However, a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease will be unable to retrace their steps and may even accuse other people of stealing their lost items.
Poor Judgement
This often relates to decisions regarding finances and personal hygiene.
Social/Work Withdrawal
Socializing becomes more difficult, resulting in withdrawal from hobbies and social activities.
Personality/Mood Changes
A person suffering from Alzheimer’s may become more confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, anxious, or easily upset with others.
Stages of Alzheimer’s
There are three stages of Alzheimer’s: mild, moderate, and severe. It’s important to note how symptoms can often overlap making it more difficult to identify which stage is prevalent.
Mild
• Difficulty performing tasks in social/work settings, remembering names and/or words, and staying organized/planning
• Losing common objects often
• Forgetting material that was just read
Moderate
• Forgetting personal history, significant events, personal information such as address, phone number, etc.
• Shift in sleep patterns
• Wandering
• Exhibiting compulsive behaviors and personality changes
• Withdrawing from social/work activities
• Difficulty controlling bladder
• Requiring assistance with daily functions such as getting dressed
Severe
• Loss of awareness
• Mobility is severely affected (e.g., walking, sitting, swallowing, talking, etc.)
• Requires 24/7 care
What’s Your Next Step
If your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help immediately for a proper diagnosis. In the event the diagnosis is dementia, Alzheimer’s, or memory impairment, assisted living and memory care could be beneficial. Facilities equipped with 24/7 nursing care, individualized care plans, in-house Geriatricians, and plenty of cognitive stimulation through a 24/7 activities calendar will ensure peace and comfort for your loved one in a safe homelike environment.
Assisted living can be a difficult topic to discuss with family members, and we are here to help in any way possible. If you think your loved one could benefit from our memory care services or other care options, please contact us for more information. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/
Managing Home When Moving to Assisted Living
Are you ready to explore the benefits of assisted living?
Age brings wisdom, experience, and, for many of us, limits. If you or your loved one has reached a point where those limits make it difficult or unsafe to live in your current home, you may want to consider moving into an assisted living facility in Williamsville, NY area.
Many people are hesitant to consider assisted living. This usually comes down to misconceptions about what these kinds of communities are. Seniors often picture dismal places with few freedoms. However, this rarely reflects the reality of assisted living. There are plenty of different kinds of facilities that offer many levels of care, as well as facilitate ways for you to retain your independence.
Many people associate assisted living with restriction. The reality is, instead, right in the name: assistance. Getting help with the daily tasks you struggle to complete actually gives you more freedom to live your best life.
Choosing a Facility
It’s important for you or your loved one to choose the facility that best matches needs and comfort level. Before settling on any particular community, tour multiple places to get a sense of their amenities, activities, and atmosphere. Exploring many different options will allow you to balance these factors against the cost of the facility.
Keeping Your Current Home
When it comes to your current home, there are many ways you can manage the property while still keeping it in your family’s estate. Many seniors would prefer to hold onto their homes, even when they no longer live there. This choice comes with a variety of benefits. For the sentimental at heart, it gives them a chance to retain lifelong memories. More practically, it allows the house to build more value over time, meaning it’s a more profitable investment for beneficiaries.
If you want to keep your home in your estate, you can consider renting it out. This comes with the major advantage of rental income. This extra money can subsidize mortgage costs or taxes, and can also make your ideal assisted living facility more affordable. Renters in the home will also notice leaks and other structural issues before they become big problems, maintaining the home’s value. However, tenants can be unpredictable, and managing a building is hard work, so this route is not for everyone.
You can also simply have a family member live in or manage the home on your behalf once you move out. If they’re living there at no cost, you will still have to pay taxes and maintenance costs on the home. It may make sense to ask any live-in family members to take care of these expenses in lieu of rent.
If a family member is simply checking in on the property, make sure they do so frequently enough to catch any issues. Leaks, pests, and structural damage can start as small, easy-to-fix problems, and quickly grow out of control. If they visit regularly, however, they’re more likely to notice these issues before they become catastrophes.
Home For Sale
For some seniors, the simplest and best option is simply selling their current home. Not only does this free up their responsibility to pay taxes and cover maintenance, it also brings them usable money. This can give seniors financial security, especially with the prospect of facing long-term medical care and assisted living costs.
Research your market thoroughly and consider getting your house appraised – it may be worth much more than you think. By selling it at the right price, you can sell quickly and make as much as possible off the property. Just make sure you have the proper paperwork available before you begin the process, and find a real estate agent you can trust.
No matter what you decide to do with your current home, congratulations on your move to assisted living. By giving yourself access to the care you need, you ensure that you’ll be able to stay healthy and safe for many years to come.
Are you ready to explore the benefits of assisted living? Brompton Heights provides assisted living, enhanced care, memory care, and independent living options for our residents.
To learn more, please give us a call at 716-634-5734
How To Find The Best Assisted Living Facility In Williamsville NY
Services & Amenities You Should Look For In a Process of Finding The Best Assisted Living Facility In Williamsville, NY
Everyone ages differently. While some age-related changes are inevitable, such as slower reflexes and vision challenges, other issues can vary greatly from person to person. Lifestyle and to a lesser degree, genetics, are key determinants in how healthy you are at every age.
This is important information to keep in mind as you search for the best Assisted Living Facility in Williamsville, NY– whether for yourself, a spouse, or aging parents. It might be that a senior is active and independent at the time of a move, but what happens when needs change?
Understanding Care Options in an Assisted Living Facility
Moving is tough at any age, but there are more obstacles and challenges for older adults. This is why when you do move during your retirement years, you want to make sure that you only do it once. Understanding what types of care a senior assisted living community offers and what happens if care needs change over time are important issues to address before making a decision to relocate at assisted living facility. This includes if one parent needs more or different care than another.
If you aren’t familiar with different types of senior housing, this quick overview might be helpful:
Independent Living in Williamsville: This type of senior living is designed for the active older adult. Because meals and home maintenance are provided, residents are free to pursue favorite pastimes. On-site activities and events are another attraction that leads many to choose independent living.
Assisted Living in Williamsville: Some older adults and their families find assisted living to be the best of two worlds. Residents appreciate the independence of having their own private living space but do so knowing that services and medical care are available 24/7. They can receive assistance with personal care, housekeeping, medication management, toileting, and more. That’s in addition to meals and wellness programs.
Memory Care in Williamsville: Designed to allow adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia to enjoy their best quality of life, memory care programs are typically a part of an assisted living community. Specialized caregivers, dedicated dining services, and a safe, supportive environment are standard. Memory-focused daily activities allow residents to remain engaged and active.
At each Assisted Living Facility in Amherst or Williamsville area you visit, ask a sales associate how they handle changes in care level needs after a senior becomes a resident. Are different types of care available in the same Community? Can residents move from one care level to another care level seamlessly?
For instance, if one person begins to need more help with ambulation or incontinence than their partner, the couple can still remain a part of the same senior community without having to split up or move again. Even if these changes require separate living arrangements, they will still be in an environment that is familiar to them surrounded by team members and other residents that they know.
In Addition to the continuum of care, you should also look for below service and amenities in a assisted living facility :
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Nurses on-site 24/7, not just on call.
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Nutritional services.
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Electronic Medication Administrations System
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Personal care assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, grooming and dressing.
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Wireless nurse call and wander-prevention systems for enhanced safety and peace of mind.
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In-house Geriatrician with support service.
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Scheduled medical transportation
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Concierge services such as a mobile podiatrist.
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Provider Choice – Residents can choose to keep their personal physician.
In Conclusion
Moving is difficult at any age, but it’s especially hard as a senior. So always look for an assisted living facility, which has unique levels of care. This will help to cut down on any of the unnecessary moves that could prohibit seniors from living to their fullest potential. To learn more about how the continuum of care plan works, please contact us for more information.