Statistics say about seven in 10 adults over 65 will require long-term care at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all residents of long-term care facilities live with cognitive impairment.
According to our friends at Caring.com:
"The large population of seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia in long-term care communities may in part be due to the challenge of managing the condition. When a senior starts experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia, many families realize that it’s in their loved one’s best interest to seek out memory care. Due to the symptoms that accompany memory loss, continuing to live at home without professional help can become unhealthy and unsafe for some seniors.
Memory care communities provide a safe alternative for seniors living with memory impairment. These facilities are staffed by professionals who are specifically trained to provide care to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, and are designed to accommodate older adults with progressive cognitive disorders. This guide will provide more detail about memory care to help caregivers and family members better understand what memory care is and how to choose the community."
There's a popular saying, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." It's true. And while we must be more aware of those who need Memory Care and help them to get the help that they need, there is still an oversight.
We spoke with the Community Outreach & Seniors Advocate at Caring.com. She spoke to us from an entirely different angle. She said:
"Based on conversations we have had with families across the US, it can be an overwhelming and heartbreaking time; and there are many questions especially since each situation is unique."
Do you have a friend or loved-one who is/was afflicted with memory loss? If not, have you ever thought of the friends and loved-one's of those afflicted with memory loss? They are the one's who will be forgotten. They are those who work tirelessly to speak with their elderly friend or family member to recall recent or distant memories made together. Our memories are all that we have and to try and make sense of the loss of memory can drive one to their own wits' end.
Caring.com has put together a series of guides meant to cover the common initial questions people have while working with a loved one through memory loss. Here are the links where you can find these resources:
If memory loss is being experienced among your family or friends and you or someone you know needs to talk about it, please Contact Us
We want to be there for those who experience the grief of these situations. You are not alone. We can make this journey together. Let Concierge Counseling be there for you.
The Editor
Ramzi Elassadi
___________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES
Comments