Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be diagnosed with a disease that doesn’t have a cure? It’s a scary thought, and most of us end up comforting ourselves by thinking “Oh, that’ll never happen to me”. But it can and does happen to thousands of people every year, in the form of Alzheimer’s disease. This form of dementia affects memory, thinking, and behavior, and gets worse over time, eventually becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. But as with other diseases, those with Alzheimer’s are more than just their diagnosis.
It’s for this reason that choosing the right Alzheimer’s care is so important. Statistically, those with Alzheimer’s do better when they can maintain their lifestyles and independence for as long as possible. So when planning for the progression of the disease, it’s important to find a Dementia Care Program that helps patients remain as independent as possible. For example, the Peregrine Way Community for Alzheimer Care in Smyrna, GA describes their philosophy this way:
“Here, your loved one’s life is celebrated spiritually, emotionally, physically and intellectually; fostering self-esteem, independence and a higher quality of life.”
The philosophy of this community for Alzheimer Care in Smyrna can be used as an example of what to look for in the philosophies of other Alzheimer care programs. Click here for more info
In addition, the Smyrna community also encourages and welcomes participation from family and friends, in two distinct forms – family and friend participation, and spousal support. They welcome friends and family at any time, and offer family the opportunity to participate in every aspect of their loved one’s care. They are willing and able to accommodate couples, and even encourage couples to stay together. Any community you are considering should offer both of these thing as well.
The Peregrine Way communities are some of the best dementia care programs in the country, and can be used as an example of what to look for in a program. If you’re in Georgia, you can tour their local community, which offers Alzheimer Care in Smyrna. If not, you can visit their website to get an idea of what to look for in a program in your area.
