If you’re planning your dream retirement in Pompano Beach, Florida, dementia care might be the last thing you want to think about. Yet dementia is a common diagnosis, with more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. If you’re lucky enough to live a long life, you might one day need dementia care. About one-third of people 85 or older have dementia. The right dementia care community can keep you safe and active, provide dementia-friendly activities, and support your efforts to live a life imbued with meaning. Here are our answers to the five most frequently asked questions about dementia care options in Pompano Beach.
What Is Dementia Care?
Dementia care is specialized care that caters to the unique cognitive and physical needs of people with dementia. You’ll live in a safe and comfortable home with support from caring staff. You’ll get help with activities of daily living, gentle reminders that help you remain aware and oriented, and delicious meals that feed your body and mind. At The Preserve, we know the importance of staying mentally active even when you live with dementia, so we offer a host of activities tailored to the unique needs of people living with cognitive impairments. Art can be especially helpful for navigating mental changes and is a cornerstone of our program.
How Does Dementia Care Help People with Cognitive Impairments?
The right dementia care community does much more than just keep you safe. It can help you make the most of your cognitive abilities with activities specially designed for your unique interests. Retired musicians can enjoy music and dance, while book lovers can continue reading, enjoy audiobooks, or listen as a staff member reads to them. The goal is to meet you where you are, then scaffold you to more independence and comfort.
Are Seniors Isolated in Dementia Care Communities?
Many seniors remember visiting loved ones in nursing homes and fear being shut away from the world in such a facility. But the dementia care of today is nothing like the sterile wards of the past. You'll live in a comfortable apartment, spend your day with people who truly care about you, and gain the chance to master new skills. Dementia care communities offer luxury living, a safe home, and the acknowledgment that dementia is just another of life’s many challenges — not the end of a good life.
What Are Some Signs That I Need Dementia Care?
Anyone diagnosed with dementia — such as Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, or primary progressive aphasia — should consider dementia care. The earlier you evaluate your options, the more control you’ll have over your future. Talk with your doctor about what your diagnosis means, and how you can best plan for your long-term care needs.
If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, some signs that it may be time to move to dementia care include:
- Your loved one often seems confused or can no longer tend to their daily needs.
- The expense of providing in-home care is becoming overwhelming.
- You are no longer able to provide care to your loved one.
- You’re suffering from caregiver burnout.
- Your loved one seems lonely and depressed.
How Can I Prepare My Loved One for a Move to Dementia Care?
One of the great challenges of dementia is that, as the disease progresses, it can erode a person’s ability to assess their own abilities. That’s why it’s important to talk to a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia about their wishes as early as possible. As your loved one’s condition deteriorates, it’s important to treat them with compassion. Encourage them to play a role in their own care decisions. Be mindful that cognitive impairments do not necessarily destroy the desire to live independently. Frequent visits, a cheerful attitude, and diligent advocacy can all help your loved one transition to dementia care.
A dementia diagnosis can be devastating. Staring into the face of the unknown is inherently unsettling. Despite this, dementia does not have to mark the end of a meaningful life. People with dementia can continue to make a difference, invest in their relationships, and embrace joy. At The Preserve, we believe that the right support can help people with dementia continue to grow, evolve, and enjoy retirement. To learn more about managing this frightening diagnosis, download our free guide, “Living Well with Dementia.”
