Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking ability, language skills, and behavior. The CDC estimates approximately 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Age and a family history of Alzheimer’s are the biggest risk factors for developing the disease. Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are age 65 or older.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that can eventually interfere with a person’s ability to participate in routine activities and perform daily tasks. Alzheimer’s may begin with mild memory loss and may progress to the point where the person loses communication skills and can no longer respond to their environment. There are some treatments that can slow the symptoms and improve quality of life, but there is no cure.
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a good time to review some of the early signs of the disease.
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
· Getting lost in familiar places
· Asking the same questions over and over
· Forgetting important dates or events
Difficulty completing tasks
· Inability to concentrate
· Difficulty following a recipe
· Inability to manage finances or pay bills
· Reliance on family members to handle familiar tasks
Confusion about time and place
· Forgetting what day it is
· Not remembering how they got some place
Misplacing things
· Losing items
· Not being able to retrace steps to find misplaced items
· Putting things in unusual places
Changes in behavior or personality
· Neglecting basic grooming and cleanliness
· Using poor judgment
· Poor decision making
· Withdrawal from social activities or hobbies previously enjoyed
· Depression, fearfulness, confusion, anxiousness when out of their comfort zone
Memory Care at Renaissance Villages
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can present many challenges for families. Family caregivers often become overwhelmed and may deal with high levels of stress, exhaustion, isolation, and burnout. Many caregivers do not have the training, resources, and support they need. They may eventually need to seek outside help.
Renaissance Villages offers memory care facilities that provide residents with a structured environment in secure surroundings. Our residents are monitored on an on-going basis to ensure the level of care fits their needs. Planned activities throughout the day provide residents with the opportunity for engagement and socialization. Renaissance Villages operates under an open-door policy so that families can speak to staff whenever they need to. We believe that open communication is essential and gives families peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule a tour of our facilities.
