Senior living communities are known for their diverse lifestyle options, including independent living and assisted living. However, senior living neighborhoods take it a step further by blending specialized memory care with personalized care plans, catering to seniors facing cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Caring for a loved one’s cognitive well-being is just as important as focusing on physical aspects of wellness. Tutera’s curated memory care program, Thrive in the Courtyard Memory Care, uses specialized memory care programming and certified caregivers. It customizes care plans for each resident upon move-in, assessing seniors’ memory care needs and interests to ensure the best possible care experience.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a degenerative condition characterized by progressive loss of cognitive functioning, memory impairment and loss of abstract thinking. As the disease progresses, personality changes may occur as the disease affects the brain. Because of innovative senior memory care programming, residents can continue to maintain an excellent quality of life in spite of the condition.
Because of cognitive challenges such as impaired thinking and memory, individuals with dementia may encounter difficulties in independently handling daily tasks. Some early signs of dementia include:
- Short-term memory problems
- New problems with writing or speaking
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Difficulty completing simple tasks
- Personality changes, including agitation, paranoia and mood swings
Types of Dementia
Dementia is caused by a variety of factors. It can be influenced by genetics or life events.
- Neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, are degenerative and progress over time.
- Vascular disorders, such as brain injuries, long-term substance abuse, and infections like meningitis and HIV, affect blood circulation in the brain.
Lifestyle risk factors of dementia can increase your chances of developing dementia, including:
- Advanced age
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Brain injury and strokes
- Family history of dementia
Dementia is generally discovered in individuals who are in retirement age, although it can occur in younger individuals as well. Rarely, early-onset Alzheimer’s can strike in middle age, some as early as the 30s.
Dementia Progression
Early stage
In early-stage dementia, individuals may have slight changes in behavior but are able to perform daily tasks on their own. During this time of mild decline, changes in thinking and reasoning occur, and there is slight memory loss of recent events. They may begin to repeat themselves more frequently in conversation. Discovering memory ailments at this point can greatly improve senior memory care outcomes with cognitive wellness treatments.
Middle stage
During middle-stage dementia, individuals may experience more challenges with making plans and remembering recent events. Traveling and driving may confuse them, which could lead to them getting lost or forgetting their phone number.
Individuals in this stage of dementia may require assistance with daily tasks, such as personal hygiene and getting dressed. This assistance may be needed during specific times, such as certain days of the week or particular times of the day. At this point, individualized care plans are necessary to customize the treatment that a resident will need in the near future.
Late stage
Late-stage dementia is the most severe cognitive decline. Individuals may forget loved ones’ names and exhibit personality and emotional changes, sometimes becoming aggressive toward others. In the very end stages of dementia, residents can no longer speak or walk, and they spend most of their time in bed.
A common misconception is that Thrive in the Courtyard Memory Care is only a care option for those with late-stage dementia, but studies show that early dementia care can greatly improve one’s well-being and quality of life.
Benefits of Dementia and Memory Care Programs
Residing in a memory care neighborhood establishes a structured, reassuring and secure environment. Tutera’s dedicated team, consisting of caregivers, nurses, chefs and other care professionals, prioritizes the cognitive well-being of residents through daily memory care programming and activities.
We take the time to understand your loved one and actively promote their physical and cognitive health. This consistent setting provides residents and their families with peace of mind, knowing that they are receiving exceptional dementia care.
On a typical day within Tutera’s compassionate Thrive in the Courtyard Memory Care program, residents wake in the morning and prepare to embrace the day. They have the opportunity to enjoy dining experiences reminiscent of a restaurant and participate in sensory activities designed to allow those with dementia to communicate in their preferred manner.
Throughout every experience, our care experts are by residents’ sides, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels like home. This approach enhances cognitive wellness and uplifts mood in every interaction within the community.
firsthand at one of our communities, Stratford Commons. It shows what makes our memory care communities unique, according to residents’ families and team members. The team at Stratford Commons Memory Care Community works interactively with every resident to help them discover their sense of fulfillment, engaging in activities that help them express themselves and communicate through individualized care plans.
Tutera’s Thrive in the Courtyard Memory Care mission is to keep residents safe and secure and to help them live happy, healthy lives. Throughout Tutera’s memory care communities around the nation, the teams of compassionate care professionals improve quality of life for thousands of residents.
Where Can I Find Thrive in the Courtyard Memory Care Near Me?
Navigating the memory care intake process can be overwhelming, but Tutera is here to help bring peace of mind to seniors and their families. We welcome you to tour one of Thrive in the Courtyard Memory Care communities and experience the extraordinary services and programming that we offer every day. Click here to find a community near you.
