While each of us have experienced sleepless nights, we have the capabilities to overcome these struggles. Loved ones living with a memory disorder often have anxiety around this subject as they often forget what makes them comfortable.Here are a few tips to create a peaceful environment for your loved one and how you can help them overcome that anxious feeling. Look at the lighting in the room Are the lights too bright? Is there too little lighting? There should be a balance of light so that your loved one can safely get up in the night as needed, without making it so bright that sleep is hard to come by. If your loved one often wakes in the middle of the night, have a small dresser lamp available. By keeping the rest of the room dark, the brain understands that it is still nighttime and programs the body for sleeping. If the room has windows, try using blackout curtains, which are made to keep the light out and allow for privacy. Give them a “hug” Naturally, as humans, we respond to touch, especially when we feel nervous or anxious. Loved ones living with a memory disorder have this feeling almost nightly. Try using a weighted blanket. These blankets use pressure therapy to induce a calming effect. By having the same amount of weighted pressure placed on each part of the body, the brain can calm down and prepare for sleep. Also, make sure your loved one’s pillows are comfortable and not causing soreness, which may keep them up at night. Encourage a snack or warm drink Family members who...
Now that you’ve made the difficult decision to move your loved one to a memory care facility, it’s time to begin the preparation. Being prepared ahead of moving day will not only keep your household organized but will help keep your family member living with a memory disorder calm and unstressed. While there are multiple business items to take care of as you begin the transition into a care home, it is important to keep your loved one informed. Though they will likely be nervous about leaving their solace, keeping your loved one excited about the new services they will be receiving may help them feel more comfortable. Discussing what your loved one’s day-to-day living will look like is a great way to start. Show them an hourly list of activities available. Allow your loved one to look over this schedule multiple times to get familiar with it. While their schedule at home may be completely different, the visual allows them to see how things will change once they move into the facility. If it is necessary to make any changes to the schedule, make sure to discuss this with management before moving your family member in. Allow your loved one to take comfort items with them. This could be a special chair, a photo album or extra pillows. Perhaps offer a shopping trip to buy new items. Ensuring your loved one is surrounded by the things they enjoy often helps with anxiety during the transition. Most importantly, sit down as a family and discuss any questions your loved one may have. Reassure them that you will be close...
The transition from independent life at home, or in the home of a loved one, to a memory care facility can be a difficult one for everyone involved. The uncertainty of adjustment and familiarity for your loved one can be incredibly hard, making it a decision that can never be taken lightly. If you are unsure how the transition to assisted living may be for your loved one, rest assured that The Cottages offer an assisted living facility that is unrivaled in Texas. The Cottages provide a different approach to Alzheimer’s assisted living by providing a welcoming, home-like environment and care from highly-qualified, loving staff. Benefits of Assisted Living The Cottages assisted living facilities are expertly designed, from an interior and exterior perspective, to provide everyone with an environment that replicates home living. Secure outdoor spaces and walking paths matched with the spacious interior simulates a quaint atmosphere. With seemingly endless space, the adjustment period for most residents at The Cottages is relatively short. Additionally, the daily routines for your loved one living at The Cottages provide them with the physical and mental activity needed to enjoy themselves. The Cottages provide scheduled activities, balanced meals and encourage relaxation periods. Also, family members are welcome to join at any time to make this transition even more fluid and meaningful. Quality Care With a high staff-to-resident ratio, the team is built to provide individual attention and care for your loved ones. They specialize in getting to know everyone from a personal standpoint to ensure they enjoy their time based on what the individual needs and desires of each resident. With no...
Everyone would love to live as independently as possible for as long as they can. Unfortunately, that isn’t always a reality for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other memory disorders. Dangers loom large that were once minimal threats. Understanding the hazards that your loved one living with dementia encounters at home is the first step towards providing a safe environment. Dangers in the Home for Those Living with Dementia Many common dangers for people living with dementia range from the seemingly trivial to extremely severe. What used to be a standard household function now may present a risk for your family member. For example, a kitchen is traditionally a room for everyone of all ages to share in a household. However, when living with someone with a memory disorder, the kitchen is full of hazards in the form of knives, ovens and hot stove tops. Even running the water in a sink or shower can be dangerous for your loved one when done without supervision. Other risks within a home include access to medications, firearms and sharp objects. Some of these may seem obvious, but if you’ve gotten used to keeping medicine in the bathroom cabinet, it can be an adjustment that could often go overlooked. Other dangers and hazards may be present anywhere in the house, such as a loved one slipping and falling or forgetting where they are. Keeping your loved one living with dementia safe should be taken very seriously and is a critical part of their well-being. It can be frustrating and difficult to continually identify new dangers and learn how to prevent it...
Caring for a loved one living with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss can be challenging. At some point, your loved one may not be able to live at home and may need a memory care community. It can be overwhelming to know how to choose the right memory care community for your loved one. Below are some key factors to consider when choosing one. Location, Location, Location The first important factor is to consider the community’s proximity to friends and family. Family visits and involvement are important in helping your loved one stay connected. Family involvement and visits are especially important in the beginning as your loved one adjusts to their new environment. Take a Tour Visiting any prospective communities is vitally important in the decision-making process. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to a few, be sure to visit each community a few times during different times of the day and week to get a sense of how the community operates at all times. Get to Know the Staff Ask staff and administration about staff turnover, the staff to resident ratio, and how frequently staff are trained. A high staff to resident ratio indicates that residents are well looked after and have regular social engagement. Other factors to consider: Are residents’ care plans customized? Does the community encourage family connections? Is there a variety of activities? Is there a safe outdoor space for residents to enjoy? Examine the lighting: is there adequate lighting and lots of natural lights? Does the food look and taste appetizing? Interview staff and the family of current and past residents:...
Family members caring for a loved one with memory disorders can be under a great deal of stress. Ensuring your loved one has the very best care can feel impossible at times and considering moving your loved one to an assisted living home may only increase that stress or even cause feelings of guilt. Often, when people think of assisted living facilities, they imagine a nursing home that’s dimly lit with small rooms and limited activities for residents. The Cottages memory care facility in Frisco, Texas (just north of Dallas) is entirely different. Our mission is to provide an environment that feels as close to home as possible. Here are some of the key services and benefits The Cottages offers our residents: Personalized Assistance for your Loved One We will get to know your loved one on a personal level. Should something ever happen to your loved one and they are in a position to need assistance with even simple daily tasks, there will always be someone to aid them. Having someone to help 24/7 is not feasible if your loved oneis home alone. Family members may come and go throughout the day to offer assistance with designated tasks, but they’re not always available at all hours of the day. Personalized Activities They Will Enjoy Despite your loved one’s memory loss, there are still activities and hobbies they can enjoy. The Cottages assisted living facilities offer customized activities for our residents, with our staff on hand to assist in safety. These include: quilting baking gardening and many others If your loved one was at home, it may be difficult...
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