I want to tell you about something I have seen time and time again working in Memory Care. By the time families consider a move the world of the person living with dementia has narrowed and narrowed until it is nearly unrecognizable.
It might begin with giving up driving. Next, tagging along on errands becomes daunting. Maybe they only get out to go to a doctor’s appointment, but likely shy away from family gatherings. Eventually they aren’t successful walking to the mailbox. And there it is, the nearly unrecognizable world of the person living with dementia lives within the walls of their home and is usually confined to a couch and a television.
Now, I completely understand the desire to remain at home and age in place. I have the utmost respect for family caregivers, but what if Memory Care IS the golden ticket to fostering an opening to their world in profound ways. Joining a senior living community can encourage more human interaction (dare I say friendships!), an opportunity to engage in meaningful activity, reduced stress and lead to higher quality visits with the family caregiver, intergenerational experiences, community connections and so much more.
What has your loved one gained from senior living?
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