For many people, Alzheimer’s is synonymous with dementia. However, it may surprise you to learn that they are not the same. Many senior citizens experience some difficulties with memory, but not all seniors experience Alzheimer’s or other kinds of dementia. If you have a senior loved one who seems to be experiencing some memory issues, learning more about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory care services for seniors can help you ensure they get the proper care.
What Is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease, usually just called Alzheimer’s, is a neurodegenerative brain condition estimated to cause most cases of dementia. Neurodegenerative means that neurons are damaged or destroyed as the disease progresses. In the case of Alzheimer’s, abnormal structures form in the brain, disrupting the ability of neurons to function and eventually leading to cell death. Exactly why this happens is not clearly understood, but some risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s have been identified and are being studied.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
It is important to note that Alzheimer’s is not typical for aging. People with Alzheimer’s need supportive care. Treatments have been developed that may help slow the progression of the disease in some cases. Some of the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s are:
- Struggling to find the right words
- Trouble with planning, following directions, or making decisions
- Forgetting what happened
- Losing things that aren’t misplaced
- Difficulty recognizing familiar objects, smells, sounds, and people
Knowing how to differentiate between Alzheimer’s vs. dementia can help you lead an elderly loved one to the proper memory care.
Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia: Are They the Same Thing?
Even though Alzheimer’s has come to represent dementia in many people’s minds, they are not the same. Symptoms of dementia include impaired thinking, memory, and behavior. Alzheimer’s is a specific medical condition that causes dementia as one of its effects. Other conditions can cause dementia, so it is essential to have a loved one who is experiencing memory issues examined by a doctor to find out what is causing them.
Does My Loved One Need Memory Care?
When a loved one is experiencing dementia, deciding whether or not they should live in a place dedicated to providing memory care can be incredibly challenging. One important thing to note is that, as dementia progresses, it can be harder and harder to keep a loved one safe in a typical home environment. Many people choose memory care for their loved ones, not out of wanting to shirk the responsibility of caring for them but out of love and desire for their senior friend or family member to always be safe.
People with dementia can benefit from a calm, secure environment where the routine is normalized. Providing that environment in a family home can be challenging, especially when children, pets, and daily life activities are involved. Some of the benefits of memory care living for seniors can be:
- Safety
- Good nutrition
- Medical care and management of daily medications
- Therapeutic exercises to enrich and improve quality of life
- Compassionate care by staff trained in caring for seniors with dementia
- Being able to spend time with your loved ones without stress
Every senior deserves to live with dignity and respect, regardless of their cognitive abilities. Memory care services provide a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions to thrive.
Ventana: Offering Memory Care for Seniors in Dallas, Texas
Our members are the greatest asset in our senior living community in Dallas. We provide top-notch care by compassionate staff in a calm, home-like environment for seniors with memory needs. If your senior loved one has been struggling with memory problems or living with Alzheimer’s, reach out to us today at 214.225.6197 and schedule a visit to our beautiful memory care community.