You can’t stop Alzheimer’s, but you can slow its progression. That’s the goal of assisted living communities that specialize in caring for golden-age adults with dementia and other types of memory loss. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to slow down the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on your loved one. One way is to get them into memory care nursing homes In Bay Minette, AL, that specializes in caring for people with dementia. Here’s how staying at memory care nursing homes helps slow down Alzheimer’s progression:
Structured Daily Activities
Staying active is crucial for golden-age adults in memory care, as it helps them maintain cognitive function. Regular, planned activities can also help prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by keeping your loved one engaged and distracted from their symptoms. For example, if your loved one has trouble remembering where they are, what day it is, or who you are, structured daily activities will help them stay grounded and connected to the present moment. These structured daily activities could include:
- A morning walk around the grounds of a nursing home community (if you’re lucky enough to be able to do this)
- Yoga classes (most communities offer yoga classes)
- Bingo games (this can be done through video conference calls with other residents if there isn’t enough room in person)
24/7 Supervision And Security
As you can imagine, the safety of a resident is of paramount importance at all times. Because Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are progressive diseases, residents in memory care nursing homes often require 24/7 supervision due to the increased risk they pose to themselves and others. This means that they will receive help with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing. This also means that they may be monitored more closely when walking around the facility or going outdoors—and even if they are not being watched by team members directly, there will always be someone nearby who can step in if needed.
The security measures taken by memory care nursing homes also help keep your loved one safe from outside threats like weather conditions or wandering animals (for example). Additionally, monitoring systems may be installed throughout the building so that team members can oversee activity from afar without having physical contact with any residents (or intruders).
Healthy Meals And Snacks
Studies have shown that a balanced, nutritious diet is important for seniors with memory loss or other cognitive impairments.
How do you get a senior to eat healthy food? It may take some creativity and patience, but if you are patient and persistent, your loved one will most likely be more willing to try new things than they would have been before they started suffering from memory loss.
Social Interaction With Peers
Social interaction is a key part of staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and many memory care nursing homes offer opportunities for patients to interact with other residents. This can help reduce depression and anxiety and improve memory and cognitive function. It also helps with physical health by improving balance, increasing mobility and strength, reducing weight gain, and lowering blood pressure.
It’s important to note that social interaction is not just limited to other residents—the teams communities play an equally important role in providing stimulation for patients’ mental health.
Conclusion
We hope you find this information helpful and that it will help you make an informed decision when choosing the right care for your loved one. If you have any questions about this topic or need assistance finding senior-friendly independent living communities in your area, please contact us today!