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What is Dementia?

What is Dementia

Dementia is the decline of cognitive functioning — remembering, thinking, and reasoning — to such degree that it interferes with an individual’s day-to-day life and activities. Many people with dementia cannot keep their emotions under control, and their personalities could change. Dementia ranges in intensity from the most minimal stage, as it is just starting to impact an individual’s functioning, to the most intense stage, when the individual is required to rely completely on others for basic activities of day-to-day living, like feeding themselves.

Dementia impact millions of people across the globe and is more typical as people get older (around 1/3rd of all individuals aged eighty-five or older may have some type of dementia) but it is not a typical part of getting older. A lot of individuals live into their nineties and beyond devoid of any signs of dementia.

There are several various forms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s, namely the most common.

What are some signs and symptoms of dementia?

The signs and symptoms of dementia take place when formerly healthy neurons in the brain quit working, lose contact with other brain cells, and break down. Whereas everybody loses some neurons as they get older, individuals with dementia endure a much greater loss.

The signs and symptoms can vary subject on the kind and could include:

  • Encountering memory loss, errors in judgment, and confusion
  • Trouble speaking, comprehending and expressing thoughts, or writing and reading
  • Roaming and getting lost in an accustomed neighborhood
  • Difficulty handling money reliably and paying bills
  • Repetitive questioning
  • Using bizarre words to refer to everyday objects
  • Taking more time to finish normal day-to-day tasks
  • Losing interest in common day-to-day events or activities
  • Having hallucinations or experiencing illusions or paranoia
  • Acting recklessly
  • Disinterested in other people’s feelings
  • Falling over and challenges moving

Individuals with developmental and intellectual impairment can also advance in dementia as they get older, and in these circumstances, recognizing their symptoms can be particularly challenging. It’s important to consider an individual’s present abilities and to keep an eye out for changes over time that might be a sign of dementia.

Chaparral Winds Offers The Finest Retirement Living In Surprise, Arizona

Chaparral Winds is a retirement facility in Surprise, Arizona offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care services. For more information about our senior living facility, SLS Communities or to schedule a tour, please call us today at 623-343-4125.

Dementia, Living with Dementia
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Written by Brian B

Delirium Vs Dementia: What Are The Differences?

Delirium Vs Dementia

If you are wondering how to diagnose dementia or delirium, this article will go over the differences in causes and symptoms.

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Delirium Symptoms

Delirium, which is known as “sudden confusion”, features a serious disturbance in mood, thought and behavior. Your loved ones may no longer act like themselves. And, unfortunately, these changes can happen very quickly and seemingly out of nowhere. It may be difficult to recognize the cause of these changes, so keep an eye out for some common signs of delirium.

Mood changes, such as anger, agitation, depression and anxiety, may be noticed by loved ones. Sleep patterns may suddenly change, as well. This could mean the individual becomes more active at night and less active during the day.

Slurred speech is a common sign of delirium. The individual may also begin saying things that make no sense at all. Confusion is a large part of delirium. Instantly, a senior may not know where they are or what they are doing.

If your loved one starts to speak of seeing things that aren’t actually there, this is called a visual hallucination. Common physical problems associated with delirium include pain, fever and chills.

Dementia Symptoms

Delirium and dementia both affect cognitive ability, so it is very easy to confuse the two conditions. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. These are a few of the common signs individuals suffering from dementia will experience:

Memory loss is the first noticeable sign of dementia, although this sign will not be immediately apparent. Just like delirium, those suffering from dementia will experience difficulty performing daily tasks.

Changes in mood and problem solving will become noticeable over time. Difficulty focusing and personality changes will also appear during the seven stages of dementia.

Differences Between Delirium And Dementia

Here are the key differences to look for when determining whether someone is suffering from delirium or dementia:

  1. Memory
  2. Speech
  3. Attention Span
  4. Hallucinations
  5. Physical Illness

As stated earlier, both conditions will affect cognitive abilities. But, dementia is more associated with memory loss than delirium is. Delirium is more known for affecting attention and concentration.

Speech changes will be far more prevalent in those suffering from delirium, rather than dementia. Changes in speech are only obvious in the late stages of dementia.

Attention spans will decrease at the end of dementia, but trouble with focusing is one of the mainstays of delirium.

Hallucinations can occur to those with dementia, but they are far more common with delirium.

Delirium is often caused by illness. People suffering from dementia will usually have no signs of physical illness.

What Are The Seven Stages Of Dementia?

Stage 1: The first stage is characterized by healthy people experiencing no signs of memory loss or dementia.

Stage 2: Stage 2 includes people who consistently forget things, usually caused by aging. Symptoms are generally mild and rarely noticed by friends or loved ones.

Stage 3: This stage includes increased forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, among other things. Stage 3 can last up to 7 years before onset of early stage dementia.

Stage 4: Stage 4 is considered “early dementia.” People suffering in stage 4 will have trouble remembering recent activities/events and increased difficulty concentrating. Decreased self worth and a decline in social interaction are usually included in this stage, as well.

Stage 5: The 5th stage features individuals with major memory deficiencies. Basic activities, such as bathing and dressing, may require some help. Memory loss may include trouble recalling major life events. This stage tends to last up to 18 months long.

Stage 6: Middle stage dementia, also known as stage 6, has individuals who need extensive help with daily activities. Forgetting big events, and family/friends’ names can be included in this stage. Anxiety, delusional beliefs, agitation and personality changes will be on display. Stage 6 can last 2.5 years.

Stage 7: Seniors will have no ability to communicate during late stage dementia. They will require 24/7 care at this stage in life. Typically, the final stage can last another 2.5 years long.

Chaparral Winds In Surprise, AZ

Chaparral Winds is a beautiful assisted living community near Sun City, AZ. Being able to socialize with other residents becomes an integral part of many peoples’ lives and Chaparral Winds Assisted Living offers common indoor space to support that need. If a resident requires assistance moving from a bed to a wheelchair or vice versa, this facility has staff who can help.

Address: 16623 N W Point Pkwy, Surprise, AZ 85374

Phone: (623) 975-0880

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Living with Dementia
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Regular Post
Written by Brian B

Easy Crafts For Seniors With Dementia

7 Easy Crafts For Seniors With Dementia

If you are searching for “easy crafts for seniors with dementia,” this article will provide you with seven great activities!

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Crafts For Seniors With Dementia

Here are seven great crafts, perfect for seniors suffering from dementia:

  • Flower arrangements
  • Play with magnetic letters
  • Paper cups for stacking
  • Keep a beat with a homemade shaker
  • Sort through coins
  • Fun with play dough
  • Scrapbooking

1. Flower Arrangements

Arranging flowers is always a productive and enjoyable activity for those suffering from dementia. This is an especially good idea for individuals that once loved gardening. Sit back and let them create some beautiful flower arrangements. These arrangements are perfect to keep in the home for the future. All you need to do is purchase a plastic vase, florist foam, as well as artificial flowers.

2. Play With Magnetic Letters

Put magnetic letters on some sort of metal baking sheet and let the senior come up with as many fun words as possible. This is a terrific brain exercise, for obvious reasons. A simple activity of sorting the letters by color can be enjoyable too!

3. Paper Cups For Stacking

This is one of the best and least expensive activities you can set up. Buy some cheap party or paper cups for the senior in your life. Individuals with dementia generally love the task of stacking these cups in multiple ways.

4. Keep A Beat With A Homemade Shakers

Keeping a beat is a very useful activity that has been proven to stimulate the mind – an essential need for those with dementia. Making a homemade shaker prior to keeping a beat can be an additional task for your loved one. We suggest filling a plastic container with dry beans or pasta to construct the shaker.

5. Sort Through Coins

Sorting through coins is fun and can take a long time to complete. It is also great at triggering memories. This task may remind seniors of when they used to balance a checkbook, set budgets and make weekly trips to the bank.

6. Fun With Play Dough

Play dough can offer fun for all ages, especially for senior citizens. Let them relax with this peaceful activity, creating any objects or shapes they’d like. Always make sure to have cookie cutters on hand while using the play dough.

7. Scrapbooking

For this fun activity, all you will need is a notebook, magazines and/or newspapers, scissors and a glue stick. Make sure you choose a safe pair of scissors, of course. Have the senior in your life look over and investigate all parts of the magazine and newspapers. Then, have them cut out pictures that interest them, eventually gluing them into the notebook. You’ll be sure to enjoy the arrangements they can come up with.

Scrapbooking

What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?

So how do you know if you or a loved one is showing early signs of dementia? Here are ten of the earliest signs that have been linked to dementia down the road:

  • Loss of Memory
  • Difficulty Planning Or Addressing Problems
  • Trouble Doing Familiar Tasks
  • Time Or Place Confusion
  • Difficulty Understanding Visual Information
  • Speaking Or Writing Issues
  • Losing Or Misplacing Things
  • Making Poor Decisions
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Changes In Their Mood Or Personality

Read more about the signs of dementia by clicking here.

Assisted Living Facilities in Arizona

Check out our independent living facilities in Arizona below:

Sedona Winds

Sedona Winds is an assisted living facility in Sedona, AZ. Sedona Winds offers activities at their facilities for its residents. We provide activities that allow residents to keep a healthy lifestyle by socializing with their peers and encouraging motion. Sedona Winds beautiful Assisted Living Community offers large studio & one-bedroom apartments with ample space for our resident’s belongings.

Address: 16623 N W Point Pkwy, Surprise, AZ 85374

Phone: (623) 975-0880

Desert Winds

Desert Winds is an assisted living community in Peoria, AZ. Our facility is a large sized assisted living community with 88 units. Communities this size usually offer one-bedroom apartments, multiple care levels, restaurant style dining, and a robust resident development program. Desert Winds wonderful Assisted Living Community offers large studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with adequate space for our resident’s possessions.

Address: 20554 N 101st Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382

Phone: (623) 362-1200

Chaparral Winds

Chaparral Winds is a beautiful assisted living community near Sun City, AZ. Being able to socialize with other residents becomes an integral part of many peoples’ lives and Chaparral Winds Assisted Living offers common indoor space to support that need. If a resident requires assistance moving from a bed to a wheelchair or vice versa, this facility has staff who can help.

Address: 16623 N W Point Pkwy, Surprise, AZ 85374

Phone: (623) 975-0880

Ventana Winds

Ventana Winds is a unique assisted living located on the border of Sun City and Youngtown, AZ. Each roomy apartment comes with a walk-in closet, a patio or balcony, ample storage and a kitchenette with a full-size refrigerator. Our three-story assisted living facility is built between a lovely courtyard and a crystal-clear swimming pool. Life is destined to be lived at Ventana winds.

Address: 12322 N 113th Ave, Youngtown, AZ 85363

Phone: (623) 583-2460

Canyon Winds

Canyon Winds is an attractive assisted living community in Mesa, AZ. Residents revel in upscale living with first-class care in this gorgeous two-story, 60 unit community featuring Studio, One and Two Bedroom floorplans. Our residents are provided meals, transportation, laundry services and housekeeping. They have access to the full campus and will receive additional support and care as needed.

Address: 2851 N Boulder Canyon, Mesa, AZ 85207

Phone: (480) 948-0700

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Living with Dementia, Senior Care
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What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?

What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?

Early Signs Of Dementia

Dementia happens when nerve cells in someone’s brain stop working. Even though it usually happens in older people, it is not an unavoidable part of aging. The brain’s natural decline happens to everyone as they get older, but it occurs faster in people with dementia.

A person developing dementia may have a hard time remembering dates or events.

  1. Loss of Memory

Memory loss is the most common symptom of dementia.

Someone with dementia can find it difficult to remember information they have recently heard, such as dates, appointments or events.

They might find that they rely on friends and family for keeping track of things.

A lot of people occasionally forget things more often as they age. They can usually recall them later if their memory loss is related to their age and not due to suffering from dementia.

  1. Difficulty Planning Or Addressing Problems

A person with dementia may find it challenging to follow a plan, such as a cooking recipe, or driving directions to the doctor.

Problem-solving may also get more complicated, like when adding up numbers to pay bills.

  1. Trouble Doing Familiar Tasks

Some with dementia can find it hard to complete tasks they usually do, such as changing the settings on a TV, operating a computer, making a cup of coffee, or getting to a familiar place. This difficulty with simple tasks could happen at work or at home.

  1. Time Or Place Confusion

Dementia can make it difficult to determine the passing of time. Dementia sufferers might also forget where they are at any given time.

They can find it hard to comprehend events in the future or the past and may have a hard time with dates.

  1. Difficulty Understanding Visual Information

Visual information can be challenging for someone with dementia. It may be hard to read, judge distances, or work out the difference between colors.

Someone who typically drives or rides a bike may start to find these activities complicated.

  1. Speaking Or Writing Issues

Their handwriting may become less legible as their dementia advances.

Someone suffering from dementia may find it challenging to engage in conversations.

They might forget what they are saying or what somebody else said. Sometimes it can be hard to enter a conversation.

People may also find their grammar, punctuation, and spelling progressively get worse.

Dementia patients handwriting becomes harder to read.

  1. Losing Or Misplacing Things

Someone with dementia might not be able to remember where they leave everyday objects, like the TV remote, cash, or their car keys.

Misplacing possessions can be annoying and might accuse other people of stealing.

  1. Making Poor Decisions

It may be difficult for someone with dementia to understand what is reasonable and what is fair. This may mean they are paying too much for things or sure about purchasing things they don’t need.

Some dementia sufferers may also care less about keeping themselves presentable.

  1. Social Withdrawal

A person with dementia might not want to socialize with other people, in their home life or at their work.

They may become standoffish and not talk to others or seem uninterested when others are speaking to them. They may also stop doing hobbies or group activities that involve others.

  1. Changes In Their Mood Or Personality

Someone suffering from dementia may go through mood swings or changes in their personality. For example, they can become irritable, depressed, scared, or annoyed.

They sometimes can also become more uninhibited or act out.

When To See A Doctor

A person who has any of these symptoms or notices them in a loved one.

As reported by the Alzheimer’s Association, it is a myth that cognitive functioning will get worse as a person gets older. Signs of cognitive decline can be dementia or another illness in which doctors can assist and provide support.

Even though there is no cure for dementia as of today, a doctor can help slow the advancement of the disease, ease their symptoms, and improve a person’s quality of life.

Read more about early signs of dementia right here.

Chaparral Winds Offers Retirement Living In Surprise, Arizona

Chaparral Winds is a retirement community located in Surprise, Arizona offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care services. For more information about our senior living facility contact SLS Communities or to schedule a tour, please call us today at 623-343-4125.

Assisted Living, Living with Dementia, Memory Care
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Written by webtechs

How To Move A Parent With Dementia To Assisted Living

How To Move A Parent With Dementia To Assisted Living

If you are searching for “how to move a parent with dementia to assisted living“, this post should help!

While there aren’t any true guidelines for when it is time to move your loved one into a assisted living facility, however you can be looking out for signs that are pointing that it is time to move them to assisted living or memory care.

One of the issues is that people set strict guidelines. They will state that they’ll move a loved one if they begin to forget their name or if they forget how to use the toilet, but it is possible that your loved one will not have those changes. Meanwhile, you and your loved ones could be hanging in there trying to help care for someone who has dementia while at home and you may benefit by moving them to dementia care.

Signs That It Could Be Time For Assisted Living

You need to be looking for any of these signs that it could be time to move your loved one to a assisted living facility:

1. Your loved one who has dementia is not safe at home.

The main reason that you move your loved one into assisted living is when there aren’t enough resources to safely care for a person who has dementia at home. It is recommended that you take a look at these safety issues to help assess your loved one’s situation:

  • Has your loved one fallen down recently? Has it been more than once?
  • Have they become physical aggressive to others or yourself?
  • Are they leaving burners on when they try to cook?
  • Are they able to store and prepare food safely?
  • Are they eating regularly? Are they gaining/ losing unusual amounts of weight?
  • Are they missing their medication doses? Are they taking too much medication?
  • Are they starting to wander and/or forgetting where they are when they are out of the home?
  • Are they driving, when they were told not to?
  • Do you believe that your loved one is in some way being physically harmed by a caregiver?
  • Are they vulnerable to a financial scam or been victimized by one?

2. You are beginning to get burned out.

Being burned out is basically an umbrella term that means that a lot of situations are difficult for a caregiver. Some can be physically exhausted because of the needs of a loved one, and then their health suffers. Others get emotionally worn out, feel that they are losing themselves, or get socially isolated. Try not to get frustrated, it can only make the situation worse.

Guilt also fits into burn out. If you have been locked into a cycle of being stressed out, poorly equipped to care for your loved one, or angry. If you are feeling guilty for having those thoughts, then it is time to start to look for dementia care. Guilt is what you should feel if you have done something wrong. Being angry that a loved one was diagnosed with dementia or just wishing that you had more free time isn’t something that you should feel guilty over.

3. Your loved one who has dementia is bored.

Whenever your loved one is asking what you are going to do, following you around, they most likely need more stimulation. Memory care communities have activities that are made for people who have dementia and it also allows people to be with others who also have dementia.

It is about giving them purpose and meaning in their day. Don’t feel bad if you aren’t meeting these needs anymore. Caregivers can be burdened that they forget that the person who has dementia isn’t getting the stimulation they need and the decline may be come faster.

Steps for Researching Memory Care

Understanding that you will have to look for dementia care is the first step in a long process. To help find a facility near you that specializes in memory care, Caring.com will provide a big directory of memory care communities all over the nation. There you will be able to find details about the care provided as well as consumer reviews.

Here are some additional steps to help aid you in your research:

1. Connect with the Alzheimer’s Association.

You can contact your local Alzheimer’s Association who can provide you with vital information about resources and even more the social and emotional support that you will need while you go through the process.

2. Begin looking for dementia care early.

Take time and research communities in the area early on, so there isn’t a need to make a hasty decision during a bad situation. Understand that whenever you pick assisted living that doesn’t have memory care, that there may be additional costs or the costs to moving to a new community.

Ensure that you evaluate the activity programs as it will help to provide plenty of stimulation for the brain of your loved one for quality of life that is better.

3. Hire an expert in Geriatric Care.

There are professionals who actually specialize in helping caregivers’ research options for memory care. The advantage of hiring these professionals is to help you locate a great match for your loved one which will make the conversations much easier, because they are able to help with discussions about the move.

4. Talk to a lawyer.

Ideally your loved one and family will take care of the financial and legal planning issues after diagnosis. A person who has dementia can and should be involved in outlining their care wishes as dementia beings to progress.

This process needs to provide caregivers with powers of attorney and health directives which can help when it is time to make the move. If you don’t have these, and your loved one is resisting the needed move, then you have 2 choices:

  • You could invest in a web of volunteer and paid care at home as well as day programs.
  • You can also hire a lawyer to deal with the legal paperwork that is needed to give you the power to make the decisions for them.

5. Learn as much as you can about dementia.

There are certain things that will happen with the disease no matter where your loved one is living. Understanding how dementia will affect your loved one can help you to know how you both can handle the situations you are in together.

Tips to make the needed move to assisted living much easier

Tip 1. Invite them to lunch

If your loved one is still undecided about moving to an assisted living community, then invite them to make a few visits during lunch or attend events at the few places that you have been looking at. Make these activities social and fun which can increase the warm familiarity within the communities.

Tip 2. Get paired up with other residents

Ask the staff to pair you with 1 or 2 other residents who are social and outgoing. Don’t mention to your loved one that you are planning for them to live there. Instead introduce them to the residents and start with a compliment about your loved one. Take this for instance: “This is my mom, Judith. She’s an amazing cook.” Then after you have visited a few more times, suggest that they may want to spend a bit more time there with their new friends. After that, give them the good news that there is a great room where she can stay for a few days.

Tip 3. Tell them it’s just temporary

People who have dementia may not want to permanently move can make the transition much easier if you tell them that it is just temporary and for a practical reason. For instance, you could say that they need to be out of the house so that you can have it painted, or that they need to go somewhere where their health can be taken care of for a while.

Tip 4. Help make arrangements

Families will often make the arrangements, pick and decorate the apartment or room in the facility and then collaborate with the staff so that everyone will know what the excuse is for this move. Once they are engaged in the community, they will accept the permanent situation.

You will want to keep your tone as happy as possible; it will be hard and bury the guilty feelings that you have. It could be hard to lie to your loved one, but you want to understand that telling the truth could actually hurt them.

Tip 5. Make your first visit short and sweet

Once they have finally moved in, make your first visit short and sweet. Keep the conversation positive. They will ask when they are going home. Just avoid telling them that they are living there now, and just divert the conversation by talking about activities, new friends, and food. Keep in contact with the staff. If they happen to report that they are agitated after the visit, you may want to give them more time in order to adjust to their new home before you continue regular visits.

The choice about moving to dementia care needs to be a team choice. The only guideline is to make the choice with your team, which includes your loved one with dementia, your family and the doctor.

Chaparral Winds Offers The Finest Retirement Living In Surprise, Arizona

Chaparral Winds is a retirement facility in Surprise, Arizona offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care services. For more information about our senior living facility, SLS Communities or to schedule a tour, please call us today at 623-343-4125.

Assisted Living, Living with Dementia
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