If you, or a loved one of yours, has just received an early-stage memory loss diagnosis, it can feel life-changing. Or perhaps you were recently told by your physician that you are experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Either way, it is likely that both your emotions and the next steps to take feel challenging to face.
The good news is that if you are at an early stage of memory loss or dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, you have a wealth of options to address and optimize your health, wellness, and overall quality of life with the right care and living situation.
If you are in the Pompano Beach area, there are several unique senior care programs that focus on providing tailored early-stage dementia care to seniors living with mild cognitive decline. One of these specialized senior care environments is the Bridges neighborhood at The Preserve at Palm-Aire in Pompano Beach, FL, where residents get to enjoy meaningful connections, strengthening their physical and mental abilities, joyous social events, and plenty of fun.
If you’re unsure whether the Bridges neighborhood may be a good fit for you or your loved one, below are five essential considerations that can be helpful when determining whether the Bridges program may be right for you at this stage.
You’re Getting More Forgetful
One of the distinct signs that your memory loss is progressing is if you start to forget basic things or facts, such as names or birthdates of dear and close loved ones, like your children, siblings, or friends you’ve known for a long time. Or perhaps you can’t immediately place a visitor’s face. Are you suddenly finding items in unusual places around the home, like your wallet in the fridge, or pantry items in the closet? Are you suddenly unsure of how to turn on the coffee or washing machine, even though you’ve been using it consistently for years? With early-stage memory loss, increased forgetfulness can sometimes be subtle and slow. But if you pay attention to small oddities that start happening in your life and routines, these can be helpful hints that you could use a little more help in your daily life. With the highly-trained and compassionate staff at a Bridges community, you can improve both the quality of your life and your everyday safety.
You Need (or Want) More Help With Daily Tasks
We are all getting older, and it is perfectly okay to admit we’re at a point in our lives where we’d like a little extra help with basic chores, such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, or driving to appointments. And if you’re living with early dementia, basic tasks can easily feel more strenuous than they used to.
When you choose a senior care environment such as the Bridges neighborhood, one of the big benefits is that all your main household tasks are taken care of. Attentive staff is always there to make your life easier and more enjoyable. Instead of worrying about tedious household chores, you can enjoy your free time by making new friends, exploring the town with your peers, or picking up a new hobby or skill.
You’re Worried About Safety
While many seniors deny their need for a safer living environment for too long, if you realize that you want to increase safety measures around you, you have already gained a significant advantage in your situation. In a Pompano Beach Bridges neighborhood, the entire design of the community has been customized for seniors living with early memory loss. Without compromising your comfort or opportunities to explore and connect with neighbors, subtle adjustments have been incorporated. You may notice the lights being warmer and more inviting, hallways being more open and less confusing to get lost in, or the colors being more calming than in other senior care communities. On top of that, Bridges staff is uniquely trained in helping early dementia residents feel safe and secure by helping them take their medications as prescribed or keeping them from accidentally wandering off campus.
Another safety advantage of living in a Bridges neighborhood is that residents have excellent access to greater medical care or even a dedicated memory care neighborhood, should they need it.
You Crave More Activities and Social Opportunities
Keeping up with social connections and participating in mentally and physically fulfilling activities is so important, especially as we age. If you’ve been feeling lonely, bored, or even isolated and depressed lately, it’s a clear sign you might be much happier at a Bridges community. The most exceptional Bridges programs in the Pompano Beach area offer an engaging calendar of activities, for enhanced wellness, physical and mental fitness, as well as enjoyable social recreation.
Your Caregiver Is Overwhelmed or Needs More Help
If you already have help from a caretaker in your current living situation, it’s possible they may be getting burned out or overwhelmed by their caretaking responsibilities. Especially if your current helper is a family member or close loved one, it’s a good idea to check in with them to see how they are feeling – both emotionally and physically. Caregiving is not an easy task, even for those who genuinely enjoy supporting their loved one. And since compassionate and skilled staff are always available in a Bridges program, sharing the responsibilities of caretaking, considering a move to a supportive community near you could be the right choice for both you and your caregiver.
Additionally, if you are currently living in independent senior living or assisted living, you may be excited to learn that some of the most inclusive Bridges neighborhoods share a campus and many activities and events with the community’s independent, assisted living, and even memory care residents. This connected setup makes transitions and varying care levels, such as between you and your spouse, wonderfully easy and reassuring.
Do you have more questions about what steps to take after an early dementia diagnosis and where to find resources for support, either for yourself or a loved one? We’ve put together a helpful guide with plenty of information, tips, and resources for you and your family. Download our guide, Where to Turn in the Early Stages of Dementia, right here.
