Smoking and long-term heavy drinking can pose risks for healthy people, but both can overtly compromise the health and safety of people living with dementia. Should you let someone with dementia smoke or drink?
Caregiving for a loved one is a unique experience that is, for many people, its own reward. But that doesn’t mean that caregiving doesn’t come with its challenges. Caring for another person can be a major inconvenience, and can even require you to put your own life plans on hold. This is often a bigger concern for younger caregivers, who are more likely to be at a point in their life where they’re going to school, trying to start their career or trying to find a romantic partner.
Today, about 15.7 million adult family members, many of them are spouses, are in the role of caregiving for someone who has dementia. While caregiving a spouse with dementia is common, it can come with some unique challenges.
Resident Marilyn Whitman recently delighted us with an impromptu concert, playing the piano from memory.
We, at Sundara, believe that small environments matter in memory and dementia care, and science backs this up. Smaller settings minimize visual and aural overstimulation, as opposed to larger living spaces which provoke disorientation and higher levels of agitation.
Caregivers frequently ask if they need a geriatric care manager to help them find long-term dementia care. Our short answer is no, a geriatric care manager is not required, however, much of that answer rests upon other factors, such as, how much knowledge you have about memory care living.
Sundara Memory Care is specifically designed to lessen confusion and agitation and help our residents maintain routines. We provide plentiful opportunities for socialization and recreation, which reduces anxiety, promotes familiarity, and supports a sense of comfort. Relationships in this environment are more cohesive and in-depth compared to much larger communities, and science backs this up.