How 24-Hour Care Benefits Seniors Living with Alzheimer’s

An estimated 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia that affects memory. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is one of the hardest jobs a caregiver can take on, but it’s important not to give up hope. With 24-hour care from a licensed nurse or caregiver, seniors with Alzheimer’s can continue to experience the day-to-day joys of life as they receive the specialized care they need to ensure their safety.

The decision to move your loved one into a full-time memory care setting is a tough one to make, but these programs are often the best way to improve their quality of life.

When to Shift to 24-Hour Care

Alzheimer’s disease affects areas of the brain responsible for memory and fine motor skills. Caregivers should consider making the shift to long-term care once it becomes clear that their loved one is unable to complete daily tasks—like grooming and dressing—without significant assistance. Additional signs that seniors require 24-hour care include advanced memory loss, increased agitation, and confusion.

Accelerated Memory Loss

Memory loss is perhaps the most well-studied aspect of Alzheimer’s. Seniors with mild Alzheimer’s may have difficulty recalling their past, while those with more advanced cases might have trouble retaining new information and performing tasks around the house.

Behavioral Changes

The forgetfulness typical of Alzheimer’s sometimes causes confusion and discomfort in affected seniors, especially if their caregivers aren’t trained to recognize it. Since they can no longer articulate this discomfort, they may become angry or even violent.

Confusion

Seniors with Alzheimer’s sometime forget where they are and where they live, leading to confusion and accidental wandering. Long-term care settings provide seniors with 24/7 care to minimize confusion and keep seniors safe and calm.

The Benefits of 24-Hour Nursing Staff for People with Alzheimer’s 

Unlike standard assisted living programs, memory care specifically caters to individuals with cognitive impairments, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The benefits of senior care include access to professionally trained, 24-hour nursing staff, top-of-the-line treatment, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved one is secure in a comfortable, compassionate setting.

Round-the-Clock Caregivers 

Memory care programs offer round-the-clock, expertly trained staff to ensure your loved one receives the support and care they need. In many cases, memory care staff have specialized training in assisting those living with Alzheimer’s.

In addition to assistance with medical concerns like medication management, Memory care staff help residents perform daily tasks and chores, such as bathing, dressing, cleaning, and doing the laundry. Most programs also keep 24-hour nursing staff on-call to assist caregivers with emergency medical needs. 

Peace of Mind 

Moving your loved one to an assisted living facility is a tough decision; however, in the end it’s often the right one. By relying on experienced caregivers to oversee their basic needs, you can focus on spending quality time with your loved one, knowing they’re receiving excellent care.

Socialization 

As Alzheimer’s progresses, seniors may find themselves stressed out by social interaction, leading them to isolate themselves and withdraw from social activity. Even with the shared living and family-dining arrangements typical of assisted living, seniors with memory loss may still withdraw from their peers. To combat this, memory care staff are trained to encourage social interaction and participation in the many recreational activities the program offers.

Partner with Good Shepherd for Long-Term Care

At the Good Shepherd Community, we help seniors living with Alzheimer’s get the care they need in our memory care cottages. Whether your loved one is having trouble with daily tasks or requires 24-hour monitoring, our kind, experienced staff can keep them comfortable and help boost their quality of life. With Good Shepherd to support them, caregivers can feel confident that their loved ones are monitored and cared for no matter the time of day.