More than 17 percent of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, residents are over the age of 65. That makes this beach city a great place to make new friends, ignite new romance, and spend time with like-minded people in retirement. Yet one in three seniors dies with dementia, so wherever there are plenty of seniors, there are also plenty of people serving as dementia caregivers. Here are some Fort Lauderdale Alzheimer’s and dementia care resources that can help you no matter what you’re facing.
Enjoying a Better Retirement
Dementia doesn’t end the desire for a fulfilling, meaningful retirement. It just makes it more difficult to find suitable activities. The following resources can help your loved one develop new hobbies, make new friends, and enjoy the retirement they deserve:
- Broward County Transit offers a range of transportation services, including transportation for people living with disabilities such as dementia.
- Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services boasts a wide range of useful tools, including help maintaining seniors’ homes, personal care, and respite care for caregivers.
- Satellite senior centers offer a range of local classes and activities, such as yoga, community trips, and volunteer opportunities. They also act as hubs of information about senior care and upcoming events. Visit your local senior center to meet new people and embrace new hobbies.
- Club 55+ offers seniors over 55 a discounted annual membership fee of just $55 for access to 12 city parks. Membership includes a number of free and discounted services, such as ballroom-dancing classes.
- Communities for a Lifetime sponsors a number of initiatives to improve life for community-dwelling seniors, including fall-prevention seminars and help accessing affordable housing.
Legal and Financial Support
Addressing your loved one’s legal and financial needs now can help you avoid frustration and confusion in the future. Whether you’re devising a budget or planning for long-term care, these resources may help:
- The Department of Elder Affairs sponsors a number of legal education seminars every year during Elder Law Month.
- The Senior Legal Helpline through the Department of Elder Affairs offers attorney referrals and basic information about common senior legal issues.
Caregiver Assistance
Caregiving can feel deeply isolating. You’re not alone, and the right support reminds you of this fact. Check out these resources:
- Broward County offers a wide range of support groups, including one for caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s, another for people living with any type of dementia, and a bereavement assistance group.
- The Southeast Florida Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association provides support groups, special events, and support services to people with dementia and those who love them.
- Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families (RELIEF) provides respite care for seniors and their caregivers.
Education
Knowledge is power when you’re helping someone with a chronic illness. Yet many caregivers feel that they don’t have enough information. These resources can offer you the insights you need:
- The Living Healthy Program offers support and resources to people with chronic health conditions, including regular classes and educational seminars. It also offers a caregiver educational program.
- The Broward County Resource Directory offers a comprehensive list of all the agencies in Fort Lauderdale, as well as details about how they can help you or your loved one.
- Florida’s Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative offers numerous resources, including caregiver training.
Senior Living and Healthcare
The changing and increasingly complex needs of a senior with dementia can feel daunting, especially to caregivers with limited budgets. These resources connect you to care options and other support services:
- Florida SHINE assists seniors with health insurance claims, prescription drug costs, and other questions related to affording healthcare or navigating the health system.
- The Aging and Disability Resource Center Helpline can connect you to a vast array of services.
- Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) is a screening program to assess the needs of seniors considering long-term nursing care.
- The U.S. Administration on Aging’s Eldercare Locator helps families access a wide range of senior care and senior living services.
Resources from the Experts at The Arbor Company
For more than three decades, the experts at The Arbor Company have been serving seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. We work diligently to ensure our teams are educated in the best practices of dementia care and have interventions ready to personalize based on each resident’s needs and preferences. We also know the importance of offering reliable and current information to family members so they can have more meaningful visits with their loved one.
Discover our extensive library of materials and videos, choosing which topics suit you and your loved one’s situation now and in the future. You can also glimpse what an Arbor Bridges neighborhood looks like and determine whether Alzheimer’s and dementia care is the right option for your loved one.
Dementia Care Near Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Preserve at Palm-Aire offers exceptional senior living near Fort Lauderdale, including a welcoming and compassionate dementia care community. We know that managing the demands of dementia caregiving can be overwhelming. We work with caregivers to alleviate the burden, provide ongoing support to seniors, and improve everyone’s quality of life. We’re here for you and would love to serve as a dementia care resource. Give us a call or stop by one of our many special events to learn more!
