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How Dementia Care is Different at Arbor Terrace at Cascade

Caring for someone with dementia, especially someone you love, is a demanding job. Dementia is unrelenting, progressing little by little with the passage of time.

There may come a point when the person you once knew so well seems almost like a stranger to you. There may also come a point when the role of caregiver is too much for you to handle.

You can find the care your loved ones need to stay as safe, comfortable, and happy as possible by moving them to a senior community that provides dementia care, such as Arbor Terrace at Cascade in southwest Atlanta.

The Difference in Dementia Care

Many senior communities offer assisted living for residents who need a little extra help with the activities of daily living. Dementia care, also known as memory care, differs from this in several ways.

1. The Way the Community Is Designed

Communities such as Arbor Terrace provide separate secure neighborhoods for residents who are living through the later stages of dementia. These areas are locked because dementia patients sometimes wander off.

Memory boxes outside residents’ rooms are filled with pictures of the residents and their families to help them find their rooms even if they don’t remember their room number.

The hallways are easy to navigate and the layout is simple to aid residents who are easily confused.

The windows are uncovered as much as possible to allow natural light into the facility. Studies reported by the National Institutes of Health show that exposure to natural light can improve sleep and reduce aggression in seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other Alzheimer’s-disease-related dementias (ADRDd).

2. The Way the Staff Is Trained

The caregivers in dementia care neighborhoods are respectful, compassionate, and patient, and they receive special training in the best way to relate to residents. They learn what can trigger anxiety in dementia patients and how to defuse stressful situations before they get out of hand.

There are some staff members available round the clock to assist residents whenever they need help.

3. The Types of Activities Provided

The activities in dementia care neighborhoods are designed to offer something for residents at all stages of dementia. They also schedule activities designed to help retain memory for as long as possible. Music is a big part of this. According to research by the Mayo Clinic, listening to music or singing songs can prove beneficial for dementia patients.

4. The Way Meals Are Prepared and Served

The Arbor Company developed a program called Dining with DignityⓇ for its residents with dementia so that they can comfortably take part in community meals. It addresses the difficulties that dementia patients sometimes encounter when eating.

For instance, residents who struggle to hold a spoon or fork would be served a finger-food version of the meal. Other residents who may have trouble chewing or swallowing would have a meal prepared with these challenges in mind.

Kitchen and dining rooms staff work to make sure each resident’s specific needs are met while serving them nutritious, tasty meals.

When your loved ones move into a dementia care community like the one at Arbor Terrace at Cascade, it will give you peace of mind. You can be certain that they are well cared for by people who are specially trained in their roles.

If you’d like to find out more about dementia care at Arbor Terrace at Cascade, call 404-691-0304 to arrange a tour.

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Shay Martin-Williams

About the Author: Shay Martin-Williams

With a MBA/Health Administration degree, Shay has over 15 years of experience in healthcare. She is a resource and advocate for seniors.

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