TerraBella Athens: When Memory Loss Interrupts the Morning Routine
TerraBella Athens focuses on daily structure in its care programs, prioritizing safety and comfort. Our daily morning routine involves helping you with hygiene tasks, aiding you in getting dressed, assisting with your morning meal, and preparing you for your personalized schedule.
Are you prepared to handle cognitive decline? Studies from the Columbia University Irving Medical Center claim that about 1 in every 10 US adults aged 65 or older has dementia symptoms. Furthermore, another 22% show mild cognitive impairments, raising the total to 32%.
Athens is the perfect city to spend your retirement as you focus on getting Alzheimer's help with ADLs. Our natural beauty ensures there's always something to admire. Whether you're here for the Great Smokies or the classic Southern architecture, there's something for everyone.
How can you find the best memory care Athens, TN has to offer? Whether you're looking for dementia support morning routines or looking to learn more about common symptoms, we're here to help. Read on for a brief overview.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a commonly mentioned condition, but what is this condition? You may be surprised to learn that dementia actually isn't a condition at all.
Instead, dementia is a general term that we use for a variety of cognition-based symptoms. These cognitive and memory-focused ailments become more common as we age.
To find a textbook definition, we can look to the Alzheimer's Association. This group defines dementia as a blanket term for:
- Loss of memory
- Difficulty with problem-solving
- Issues with language
- Failure of other cognitive abilities
That said, a single moment of forgetting your car keys isn't a definite sign you have dementia. Rather, the loss needs to be severe enough to interfere with your daily life and routine. While struggling to focus may be a sign, it isn't dementia in and of itself, for example.
What Are the Signs?
How can you tell the difference between regular, "standard" cognitive decay and early warning signs of dementia? Many of these signs are virtually identical, which can make telling them apart differently.
One crucial fact is that these signs affect the safety and executive function of the senior. A temporary slip of the mind isn't likely to be a sign of dementia, for example.
Or, rather, it's more accurate to say that it could be a symptom of dementia. However, it's such a broad symptom that there's no reason to assume it's a growing symptom. Rather, it's more likely that the senior just had something slip their mind.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of dementia.
Getting Lost
One of the most common issues is seniors getting lost. That's particularly true for seniors who have lived in the same community for years. If someone is getting lost on their own street after a decade, something certainly is impacting their recognition abilities.
TerraBella Athens focuses on providing an easy-to-navigate community with comprehensive amenities. Our safety features also ensure that dementia support morning routines are carried out in a familiar, secure environment.
Repeating Questions
Another common sign is seniors repeatedly asking the same or similar questions. It's important to note that struggling to remember minor details is always a sign of dementia or cognitive decline.
But if the senior is constantly asking the same question or seeking the same information, it may mean their recall abilities are lessening. Some common examples may include:
- Repeatedly forgetting scheduled appointments
- Failing to remember task lists or how to complete a task
- Needing repeated reminders to complete a simple task
- Beginning to fail to remember names or faces
These signs may show a lack of recognition or recall. When these occur, it's time to discuss dementia symptoms with a primary care physician.
The TerraBella Caregiving Approach
How do we handle memory care at Terrabella Athens? We're proud to offer some of the best memory care Athens, TN has available.
Our approach focuses on daily structure in care routines, as well as scheduled activities. By keeping a strict routine, seniors benefit from having it more deeply ingrained in their minds.
According to Harvard University, establishing a routine leads to greater peace and security for seniors. It helps to encourage their minds, keep them calm, and avoid feelings of confusion.
Our plans are personalized and designed to keep our residents engaged mentally and physically. In our approach, our residents receive specialized care tailored directly to their needs.
Some tasks that we're happy to help with include:
- Daily hygiene tasks
- Setting your clothes out and helping you dress
- Assisting you with your meals
- Providing you with a customizable, ready-made schedule
At TerraBella Athens, our focus is on you. Our care is customizable, so you're never receiving care you don't consent to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Stages of Dementia?
Dementia has three primary stages. These vary in severity, with the final stage often persisting throughout the senior's life.
The first stage, or early-stage dementia, lasts about two years. Most symptoms are first spotted in this stage.
Second-stage dementia takes the longest, lasting between two to four years. The middle stage is often when seniors transition to memory care or for daily support. It's common to experience forgetfulness and changes in behavior and personality.
Late-stage dementia lasts about two years, but will typically persist through the senior's life. These seniors will need full-time assistance and suffer damage to their ability to communicate and operate.
Is Dementia Fatal?
As dementia is not a single condition, it's inaccurate to call the condition fatal. That said, dementia does often persist through the rest of a senior's life.
The symptoms of dementia can often cause fatal symptoms. For example, some symptoms cause a lack of safety through recognition issues. Failure of motor skills can often cause a fatal fall as well.
TerraBella Athens and You
TerraBella Athens is proud to provide the best memory care Athens, TN can offer. Look out for the early signs of dementia and focus on safety and security above all. Understanding the benefits of daily structure in care programs is paramount above all.
Here at TerraBella Athens, we understand the stress and strain of dementia symptoms. Situated in the Friendly City, our pet-friendly community includes worship services, social outings, and licensed care practitioners to provide supervision over care. Schedule a tour today to see the home waiting for you.