For many families, a dementia diagnosis is the beginning of a long and difficult journey. Dementia can be a very isolating disease, and it can be hard to know where to turn for help. The good news is that there are organizations like the Dementia Action Alliance that can offer support and guidance. In addition, there are now many holistic senior care facilities that specialize in caring for dementia patients. Nursing homes for dementia patients offer a wide range of services, from nursing care to recreational and social activities. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There is hope after a dementia diagnosis!
Life After a Dementia Diagnosis
For many people, the idea of slowly losing control over their cognition is a frightening thought. It is understandable to feel like a diagnosis of dementia (unless it is in the 20% of dementia cases that are reversible) is the beginning of the end. However, while the majority of dementia is not curable, there are treatment options that can slow the advance of the disease and offer many good days left ahead.
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t have to mean the end of everything you enjoy about life. In fact, reaching out for support can be a way to bring even more meaningful connections to your life. Just because you’ve been diagnosed with dementia doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. That’s why organizations like the Dementia Action Alliance exist!
What Is the Dementia Action Alliance?
The Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) is a non-profit organization whose aim is to “provide hope and help to individuals and families living with dementia and information about how to live proactively with dementia.” The purpose of this organization is to help dementia patients recover a sense of hope so that they may do more than simply survive after their diagnosis, but continue to enjoy their life amidst the inevitable changes.
The DAA hosts a number of weekly online discussion forums as well as two podcasts and an online Resources Center, among other nationwide services. With the intention of reducing any misconceptions about dementia or stigma surrounding the condition, the DAA offers educational resources for people experiencing dementia and their families. Apart from this, the Dementia Action Alliance focuses on strategizing lifestyle changes to accommodate their diagnosis, which comes with altered cognitive abilities—whether this is through technology or relationships. The first Dementia Summit hosted by the DAA began in June of 2012 to brainstorm people-centric responses to the changing world of dementia and has been a resource for patients and loved ones ever since.
Benefits of a Holistic Approach to Nursing Homes
When it comes to living with dementia, no two cases are going to present exactly the same, or progress at exactly the same rate. That’s why putting the needs of the patient at the forefront of care should form the foundation for their treatment plan. For many families, tending to their loved one with dementia can pose many challenges, not least of which is managing and tending to their medical needs. This is the reason that, for many American families, nursing homes for dementia patients are not only the logical next step for their loved one but also an opportunity to start a whole new chapter of life.
Because the needs of a dementia patient vary on a person-to-person basis, it’s best to seek nursing home facilities with a holistic approach to care. This means that they look at the health of the whole person, including physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Here are some of the benefits of holistic care in nursing homes for dementia patients:
- Attentive medical staff: Let’s face it: if you or a loved one has dementia, it can be challenging to ensure that their needs are met around the clock. With an assisted living community like Jazba Care, you can count on 24-hour staff that is medically trained, generally with a degree in nursing. This means you can trust that your loved one’s medical needs will be monitored, including medication administration.
- Enrichment activities: Some people fear that once they’ve been diagnosed with dementia, everything that they love about life will change. While there is no cure for dementia, the progression can be slowed by medication—and enrichment activities such as memory exercises may help improve cognition as well. Nursing homes for dementia patients often offer enrichment activities, ranging from gardening to flower arranging to ensure your loved one is flourishing and finding opportunities for joy. This can also include spiritual or religious services hosted by the facility for deeper soul nourishment as well.
- Community: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, it is all the more important to form a network of support. Nursing homes for dementia patients offer residents an opportunity to socialize with other senior members who may be experiencing similar trials and tribulations through their shared diagnosis. This can help combat feelings of loneliness or sadness and offer hope and connection—which can even have health benefits in the long run.
Nursing Homes for Dementia Patients
Dementia is not an easy diagnosis, and it can be caused by any number of injuries or diseases. However, receiving the diagnosis does not have to be the end of everything you enjoy about living. In fact, some people living in nursing homes for dementia patients find that the simplicity of their lifestyle opens them up to receive new blessings through their shifting perspectives and cognition. By taking care of medical needs, hygiene needs, getting dressed, and creating nourishing meals, nursing homes for dementia patients allow their residents to spend less time worrying about the logistics of everyday life, and more time enjoying the life they have left to live.
Are you interested in compassionate, professional, medically-qualified nursing home staff to take care of your loved one with dementia? Contact Jazba Care today or schedule a tour of the facility!
