If your loved one has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, you may feel overwhelmed and lonely when trying to navigate the ins and outs of the disease. Fortunately, there are dementia care resources right in your Tinton Falls backyard. However, many family caregivers don’t have the time or energy to actively seek them out.
We have taken the time to discover dementia care resources in the area for caregivers like you and for seniors like your loved one. Be sure to follow up with these agencies to learn more about their services and how your family could benefit.
1. Alzheimer’s New Jersey Support Groups
An education and support resource, Alzheimer’s New Jersey is very active throughout the state. You can find five facilitator-led caregiver support groups in Monmouth County alone, including one in Shrewsbury and one in Tinton Falls. These groups not only give you the opportunity to learn more about the disease and coping strategies, but you will also have the opportunity to network with people who truly understand what you are going through.
If a support group does not sound like something you may be interested in, Alzheimer’s New Jersey also offers educational lectures throughout the state, including in Monmouth County. You can check out their yearly calendar here.
2. Community Safety
You can breathe a bit easier when you know that you have an emergency plan in place in case your loved one wanders out of their home. The Monmouth County Office on Aging, along with the Sheriff’s Office, coordinates the Project Lifesaver program throughout the county. They offer tracking bracelets to seniors who live with dementia and are at risk of wandering. The bracelets serve as a way to locate the senior if they are lost or unaccounted for. Even better, there is no cost to the senior or their family members for this service.
3. Meals on Wheels
People living with dementia can sometimes forget that it is time to eat, or can lack the organizational skills to safely prepare a nutritious meal on their own. Fortunately, Monmouth County has a very active Meals on Wheels program, serving about 1,000 hot meals to seniors every weekday. There are also options for homebound seniors who need nutritional support on the weekends.
4. Respite Care
If you are the primary caregiver for your loved one, you will need to find assistance when you leave the area for vacation or work obligations. The National Respite Network and Resource Center is a database that includes organizations that can provide the care your loved one needs while you are away. You can search for adult day service centers to other organizations who can give you the peace of mind to enjoy your time away from your caregiving role.
5. Specialized Senior Living Options
Dementia is a progressive disease that will offer new challenges at every turn. Fortunately, there are senior living communities throughout the Tinton Falls area that provide specialized care for seniors living with dementia. In memory care communities, staff members are trained in managing the disease, as well as interventions that they can use when working with residents.
Gone are the days of bleak and dreary dementia care units. Instead, today’s dementia care neighborhoods are home-like, cozy, and designed with the senior’s comfort in mind. At Arbor Terrace Shrewsbury, we offer a beautiful environment with spacious apartments and courtyards to explore. Furthermore, our award-winning Dining with Dignity® program ensures that every resident has a pleasant dining experience and maintains healthy nutrition. Residents enjoy a vibrant activity calendar full of engaging events and trips daily.
Learn more about dementia and resources that can support you and your loved one by downloading our free guide, Living Well with Dementia. Then, when you’re ready, call our community to schedule a tour. We’d love to show you around and give you a glimpse into life here at Arbor Terrace.
