As our loved ones age, it’s common for them to experience declining memory. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 40 percent of people over the age of 65 routinely experience some form of memory loss. While age-associated memory loss is a natural part of growing older, a dramatic shift in memory may signal the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
When memory problems start to disrupt activities of daily living — like reading, problem-solving or managing personal finances — it may be time to take action. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the following factors may indicate the early stages of memory decline:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges with problem-solving
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion about time or place
- Difficulty understanding spatial relationships
- Trouble with writing or grammar
- Continually misplacing objects
- Poor judgment
- Reduced sociability
- Changes in mood or personality
While not everyone will need long-term memory care as they grow older, having a plan in place to manage care is essential in order to age with peace of mind. At Friendship Village of Dublin, our continuum of care or “Lifecare” plan is designed to ensure residents always have access to memory care if or when they need it.
With a staff of medical professionals, we’re committed to ensuring our residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s have safe, comfortable living conditions and are treated with compassion, fairness and dignity. Our campus can serve up to 46 residents with memory care needs and our staff to resident ratio is 1:8.
Our staff is continually examining 11 categories of health including cognitive and social integration. Through these ongoing and proactive efforts, our staff can ensure every resident receives the care, respect and independence they need. We’re also consistently working to integrate new technologies like Pocketfinder — a GPS technology designed to help residents with memory decline navigate our campus independently.
Our highest priority is to ensure every resident feels at home and is met with a sense of purpose. We also encourage peer relationships and an opportunity to give, and not always receive, care while learning through vibrant life enrichment programming. With a variety of opportunities including a resident-led lecture series, wine Fridays and chair volleyball, there’s never a lack of things to do.
If you think our community would be a good fit for a loved one with signs of memory decline, contact us. We’d love to help you navigate the changing needs of your parent or family member.
