IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, February 26, 2020
10 ways to help someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia remember
Memory loss is one of the primary characteristics - and challenges - for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Caused by the progressive damage to brain cells, as yet there is no cure and the memory loss cannot be stopped. But families can find ways to support the memories their loved one does have or help minimize the negative consequences affecting their quality of life.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Tuesday, February 18, 2020
What is independent living?
Are you beginning to explore all the different senior living options there may be? If so, you might not realize how many possibilities there are to choose from. Each type is based on the needs and services required. But if you’re looking for a place to live that supports your independent lifestyle, while having the convenience of everything you want right outside your door, Independent Living may be a perfect fit.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Activities to share when visiting someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia
People often hesitate to visit someone with a cognitive illness. They can be unsure of what to expect, how to respond or whether they might unintentionally make the person feel bad. Unfortunately, those feelings can lead to avoidance or fewer visits. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The key is to be prepared so you can approach the visit with confidence. If you don’t know much about Alzheimer’s or dementia, start by learning the basics. Think through how the visit may go and plan ahead for any activities that might be shared.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Helping children understand dementia
If someone in your family is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you know it can affect everyone differently. But when children are involved, it’s important to tailor your expectations and support to be age appropriate. You may wonder how to explain the diagnosis or help children visiting a grandparent with dementia. You’ll need to navigate these challenges so that both sides can benefit and the relationship remains.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Reducing your own risk of cognitive decline
As we grow older, not only do our priorities change but so do our thoughts and worries. Each forgotten name or mid-sentence pause can cause many to question what may be happening. Many studies have shown that fear of receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia ranks second, only behind hearing the news that you have cancer.
But if someone in your family or a close friend is living with a cognitive disease, it’s no doubt that this concern has likely been in the forefront of your mind. Could this happen to you?
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IRC Blog
Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2020
Conversing with a loved one living with dementia
Conversations can be a struggle when you’re not sure what to say or how to engage someone living with a cognitive illness. People can become so worried about making the individual feel bad or themselves uncomfortable that they often tend to avoid visiting the person altogether. But there is good news. By remembering that the most important action is not to isolate someone with cognitive disease, your determination to make this experience a positive one can make all the difference.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Thursday, January 2, 2020
What is Memory Support Assisted Living?
If you’ve been caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may reach a point when more help is needed than you can continue to supply. Even those who have brought in additional home services may find it necessary to move their loved one to a community. As this is a progressive disease, it should not be seen as a reflection of the level of care you were able to provide.
You may have heard the terms assisted living, memory support assisted living and stand-alone memory care. If you’re unclear which might be best, we’ve outlined a summary of each below to help you become familiar with these choices. It’s important that you have an understanding of each when making your decision about which type of residential community will be the best match for your loved one.
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Posted: Monday, December 23, 2019
5 Suggestions for Visiting a Resident in Memory Care
If you have a loved one or friend who lives in a memory care community, you may find yourself hesitating to visit. Understanding dementia is a challenge. It’s not that uncommon to put off visiting if you’re unsure of what to expect or worry that you’ll make the situation worse.
If you’re struggling with how to interact, there are several tips that might work best for your particular situation. Here are 5 ideas to help make your visits a positive experience for everyone.
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Posted: Monday, December 23, 2019
Observing the Holidays When Your Loved One has Dementia
It would be a rare family who hasn’t experienced tension while preparing for the holidays. But for those living or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, the season can bring on additional stress. Yet that doesn’t mean there’s no joy to be found. With some careful planning and consideration, this time of year can still be meaningful for your loved one, family and friends.
As the holidays approach, take some time to think about what celebrating might look like in your family this year. There may be traditions that will need to be scaled back, but happiness can still be experienced. These two suggestions may help jumpstart your plans:
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, December 18, 2019
How to Pay for Memory Care
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, care support will most likely be needed in the future. In fact, as the disease progresses, families will often find more help is required than can be provided at home. Eventually, a move into an assisted living or memory care community may be necessary.
As hard as making that decision can be, another pressing question most families ask is how they will pay for this memory support. Because this type of care is specialized for those suffering from a cognitive illness, the cost is usually higher than for other types of senior living.
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