Fading Memories: Alzheimer's/Dementia Caregiver Support - Home or Memory Care? A Conversation on Finding the Best Fit

Home or Memory Care? A Conversation on Finding the Best Fit

11/01/22 • 60 min

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Fading Memories: Alzheimer's/Dementia Caregiver Support

One of the biggest challenges I have helped caregivers navigate is the decision to move a loved one to memory care or care home. Far too many family members promise never to put their loved one "in a place like that" before they know how much care will be required. Selecting the right care home for someone with dementia requires careful consideration. Begin by researching facilities with specialized dementia care programs and experienced staff. Visit potential homes to assess the environment, ensuring it is secure and adapted to the unique needs of individuals with dementia. Engage in conversations with staff to gauge their understanding and approach to dementia care. Inquire about daily routines, activities, and how they handle behavioral challenges. Seek recommendations, read reviews, and assess the home's regulatory compliance. Finally, trust your instincts and choose a facility that prioritizes safety, individualized care, and a supportive atmosphere for those with dementia. This episode is a conversation between two caregivers who decided that a care home was the best choice for everyone involved. We discuss how to find a good care home, the pros and cons of making this choice, and tell funny stories about our Moms residency. The one thing that I feel it's important to know is that there can be more benefits for your loved one than you'd imagine. My Mom had friends and participated in activities she refused to do with her family. My Moms quality of life was much better in a care home than she would have had had she lived with me. If you're struggling with deciding whether or not a care home is the right choice, this is the episode for you. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Related Episodes: Time Out Caregiver: Resilience, Compassion & Self-Care Navigating the Challenges: A Busy Caregiver's Guide to Advanced Alzheimer's ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom - email newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please Support Our Sponsors So We Can Continue To Bring The Show to You For Free ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan Relevate from NeuroReserve With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please help us keep our show going by supporting our sponsors. Thank you. Stop 100% of Unwanted Calls with imp. Did you know people with Alzheimer's can receive nearly 200 spam calls a week? You can put a stop to those now. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Join Fading Memories On Social Media! If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links. Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Contact Jen at [email protected] or Visit us at www.FadingMemoriesPodcast.com

Previous Episode

Talking About Senior Driving & When to Stop

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There are many ways to help seniors give up driving, but having a long-term plan is best. Talking About Senior Driving & When to Stop. Ensuring older adults cease driving when necessary is crucial for public safety. Age-related declines in vision, reaction time, and cognitive functions may compromise driving abilities, elevating the risk of accidents. Withdrawal from driving can prevent potential harm to both the elderly driver and others on the road. Embracing alternative transportation methods promotes community well-being, reduces accidents, and enhances overall road safety. Additionally, encouraging seniors to explore alternative modes of transportation fosters social engagement and independence, contributing to a healthier and more connected aging population. With me on the show this week is Dr. David Bernstein. He is a board-certified geriatrician. His 40 years of experience have allowed him to observe, empathize and guide thousands of adults and generations of families as they mature. After a frank conversation with a patient about why he stopped driving and suddenly moved out of state, Dr. Bernstein dedicated some time to writing Senior Driving Dilemmas. Are you dreading “the talk” with your parents or grandparents regarding their safety and the safety of others on the roads? Then this episode and book are for you! Both are informational guides to families, helping them understand the complexities of senior driving. Unravel the nuances of the problems that you might face as you cautiously transition your loved one from behind the wheel. Learn More Here ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Related Episodes: How Food Affects Our Brain Health Brain Health & Dementia Prevention in Ten Easy Steps ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom - email newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please Support Our Sponsors So We Can Continue To Bring The Show to You For Free ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan Relevate from NeuroReserve With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please help us keep our show going by supporting our sponsors. Thank you. Stop 100% of Unwanted Calls with imp. Did you know people with Alzheimer's can receive nearly 200 spam calls a week? You can put a stop to those now. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Join Fading Memories On Social Media! If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links. Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Contact Jen at [email protected] or Visit us at www.FadingMemoriesPodcast.com

Next Episode

Journey of a Doctor Turned Caregiver

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Journey of a Doctor Turned Caregiver. Balancing the demands of a medical career with caregiving for a spouse with early-onset Alzheimer's poses unique challenges for physicians. To stay afloat, prioritizing self-care is crucial. Physicians must establish a robust support system, including professional help and understanding colleagues. Efficient time management and delegating non-urgent tasks can alleviate workload stress. Seeking emotional support from friends, family, or support groups is vital. Maintaining open communication with the medical team overseeing the spouse's care ensures a collaborative approach. Balancing empathy and detachment, practicing mindfulness, and recognizing personal limits are essential for the physician's well-being while navigating the complexities of caregiving and a demanding profession. When her husband, a physician, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at fifty, Renée Brown Harmon's life threatened to capsize in the waves. She stayed afloat by learning to lean on friends and family and relying on her devotion to her husband and two young daughters. How do you keep your medical practice alive while caregiving demands increase rapidly? This episode is an excellent conversation from a physician and caregiver perspective. What strategies did Renée utilize to care for her husband while maintaining her medical practice? After hearing her story and her methods to keep her balance, you can also check out Renée's book, "Surfing The Waves of Alzheimer's." If you listen to the end, you'll also get a bit of behind-the-scenes background. You can learn more about Renée Brown Harmon here. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Related Episodes: Yes, And: Experience Comedy in Dementia Caregiving Love & Dementia: The Challenges of Caregiving Together ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sign Up for more Advice & Wisdom - email newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please Support Our Sponsors So We Can Continue To Bring The Show to You For Free ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Make Your Brain Span Match Your LifeSpan Relevate from NeuroReserve With Relevate nutritional supplement, you get science-backed nutrition to help protect your brain power today and for years to come. You deserve a brain span that lasts as long as your lifespan. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please help us keep our show going by supporting our sponsors. Thank you. Stop 100% of Unwanted Calls with imp. Did you know people with Alzheimer's can receive nearly 200 spam calls a week? You can put a stop to those now. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Join Fading Memories On Social Media! If you've enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers! You'll find us on social media at the following links. Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Contact Jen at [email protected] or Visit us at www.FadingMemoriesPodcast.com