How Can Long-Term Care Help Dementia Patients and Their Caregivers?

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How Can Long-Term Care Help Dementia Patients and Their Caregivers?

As your loved ones get older, there’s a possibility of them developing debilitating mental disorders. The Cleveland Clinic reports that between 5% and 8% of older adults (>65 years) can have some form of dementia. For instance, 6.9 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (a form of dementia).

Taking care of these individuals and meeting their needs isn’t easy for someone with zero caregiving knowledge. Coordinating care for these older adults can definitely be challenging and stressful. For instance, two-thirds of dementia caregivers say that they find it difficult to gather support and resources.

Thankfully, long-term, comprehensive care provided by rehabilitation centers can help. Statistics suggest that 70% of older adults will require this type of care at some point.

 In this article, we’ll discuss everything a caregiver should know about such services for patients with dementia.

Understanding Long-Term Care for People With Dementia

At its core, long-term care for patients battling dementia offers personalized support that’s specifically tailored to their needs. This service enhances the older adult’s quality of life by offering 24/7 assistance with social engagement, daily activities, and emotional support.

According to Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Post-Acute Rehabilitation Center, a long-term care facility must offer care with respect for the patient’s limitations and capabilities. They will help maintain the dementia patient’s independence and quality of life through nutritional management and comprehensive care.

Your loved one will be under regular medical monitoring and medication management through therapeutic interventions. Long-term care aims to slow down the disease progression and manage the symptoms of dementia. Most facilities will extend their support to you by providing respite services, counseling, and resources to manage caregiver stress.

3 Benefits of Long-Term Care for Patients Battling Dementia and Their Caregivers

Living in rehab centers offering long-term care for Alzheimer’s and dementia has many benefits. For example, the patient can access specialized care and safety while living there. Other benefits include the following:

#1. Improved Quality of Life

Long-term, comprehensive care for people with dementia involves innovative therapies and personalized support. Rehab centers can create a nurturing environment that helps foster independence among patients. For instance, they can perform activities they love with dignity in a socially stimulating environment.

This service can improve the lives of patients battling dementia in the following ways:

• Tailored care plans can enhance autonomy and meet patient preferences and comfort needs.
• Residents can engage in stimulating activities to promote emotional and social fulfillment.
• A homelike atmosphere can cultivate a comfortable feeling of belonging and security.
• The empathic staff will be attentive to each patient’s needs and nurture their spirits.

All these can ignite a sense of purpose and joy in the patients. With compassionate long-term care, people with dementia will have enhanced well-being and a fulfilling quality of life.

#2. Structured Routine

Doctors believe that setting a consistent daily routine can benefit anyone with this mental disorder. These individuals require predictability to add a sense of order to their lives.

Usually, people with dementia cannot retain information stored in their short-term memory. However, routines are stored in long-term memory. That means most patients battling dementia might remember their daily schedules.

In rehab centers, professional caregivers follow a structured routine. Examples include a consistent schedule for rest, activities, meals, socialization, etc. For dementia patients, these can serve as a guiding framework that promotes predictability and stability.

A structured routine can establish familiarity that can reduce confusion and anxiety in patients. It’s like experiencing a rhythm that can help support a dementia patient’s cognitive functioning. These can also stimulate their minds and offer meaningful engagement through security and comfort.

#3. Extra Support for Caregivers

According to the Cleveland Clinic, caregiver burnout and stress can occur when you are physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted while taking care of an older adult. Studies show that 41% of caregivers have reported low overall well-being.

Thankfully, long-term care rehab centers can become a lifeline for you. In addition to directly benefiting dementia patients, these comprehensive services also extend support to caregivers. This way, you can manage the stress and prevent burnout without compromising caregiving.

Think of it as a compassionate hand that acknowledges the caregiver’s challenges and offers ways to alleviate the emotional and physical toll. Long-term care empowers families to find the support required to navigate the caregiving journey with resilience.

In summary, living at long-term care rehab centers can be a holistic approach to supporting older adults suffering from dementia. The services offered at such institutions can address their social, physical, and emotional needs. With this, you can enhance the quality of life for the patients and reduce caregiver stress and burden.

Long-term, comprehensive care options focus on personalized support and disease management. Here, the dementia patient will go through community integration programs under regulatory oversight for better mental well-being. Some organizations also offer financial assistance initiatives to support caregivers.

All in all, this service ensures that individuals with dementia receive effective care to maintain their autonomy and dignity in the community.