Understanding Alzheimer’s care. What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, an irreversible and progressive disease that impairs memory, behavior and thinking. Alzheimer’s disease is marked by a buildup of protein plaques in the brain and brain cells that become tangled and misshapen. These tangles and plaques cause brain cells to die. Over time, the brain shrinks and the patient’s need for quality care increases proportionately.
Whom Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect?
While Alzheimer’s primarily affects men and women over age 65, an early-onset form of the disease can affect much younger individuals, including those in their 40s and 50s.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that accounts for up to 75% of dementia cases. It starts with memory loss and subtle changes to personality and can progress to destroying the brain’s ability to keep the body functioning. The most commonly accepted model of Alzheimer’s disease includes five stages:
- Stage I – Preclinical Alzheimer’s: This stage can begin years before disease symptoms become readily apparent. During this stage, the brain begins to develop changes that are the first indication of Alzheimer’s.
- Stage II – Mild cognitive impairment (MCI): At this stage, people may have difficulty remembering conversations or recent events, and judgment begins to become impaired.
- Stage III- Mild dementia: Symptoms include continued loss of memory, difficulty with complex tasks and personality changes.
- Stage IV – Moderate dementia: Performing regular tasks like personal care activities becomes difficult or impossible, and significant changes in behavior and personality occur.
- Stage V – Severe dementia: Patients lose the ability to communicate clearly and physical impairment may be significant and include visual and auditory processing, task sequencing, verbal processing, swallowing and more. Eventually, the disease destroys the brain’s ability to keep the body functioning.
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you know how devastating it can be to watch them try to cope and adjust each day. You also know how challenging it can become to provide them with the care they need, especially as the disease progresses and their needs become more persistent.
Why Emerson House at Riverpointe?
We know that in order to provide good memory care, it’s essential to understand how your loved one sees the world and how their dementia is likely to progress so that good decisions can be made on their behalf. Our community and care routines have been developed to respect the individual needs and preserve the dignity of each resident so they can lead the most fulfilling life possible. Our caregivers have specialized training so you can feel confident your loved one is receiving the best possible care at each and every stage of the disease.
If you’re considering an Memory Care community in Boise, Idaho, we’re here for you!
We believe you have to understand each person on an individual basis; their medical, physical and social needs. Every resident is important to us and quality starts with the time we give to them.