Dementia isn’t something that is experienced alone. In order to successfully navigate the changes and challenges of this disease, you will need to build a support team to help you along the way – whether you’re the one who’s been diagnosed with dementia or are a caregiver.
“We’re not meant to go through something as life-changing as dementia on our own, and frankly, there’s really no way you can go through it alone,” says Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH. “If you’ve been diagnosed with dementia, you will eventually require more and more assistance as the disease progresses, which means you will need to form a team of supportive family and professionals to receive the care you need. If you are the caregiver of a loved one with dementia, you’ll need help to ensure the best quality of life possible, which means you’ll need to connect with resources, medical professionals and trusted friends and family to help shoulder the burden of care.”
This team is referred to as a care support team, and is made up of people who you’ll rely on and partner with to provide care, support, connection and help throughout the course of the disease. At the center is you or your loved one – the individual with dementia. Every member of the team and every layer that becomes added to the team is for the sole purpose of providing for that one focus.
The Importance of Care Teams.
You may have already heard the term “care team” as it relates to the medical field. When you have a chronic, serious disease like dementia, you will have a “care team” of specialists, doctors, nurses and other physicians who will work together to provide you excellent medical care while keeping each team member informed of your process. We’re expanding the term to care support team to better encapsulate the entire team you will eventually need.
“Your medical team is just one layer of a support network, and actually isn’t the most important or primary one,” says Michelle. “The inner circle of your care support team should be the person with dementia, family members and close friends. These are the people who you will rely on day in, day out, and who will help communicate to the other layers of your care support team.”
Having support and help from others can minimize stress and help caregivers and individuals with dementia feel less overwhelmed. A strong network of people on whom you can rely will help you lead a more active, engaged and productive live throughout the course of the disease.
The Layers of a Care Support Team.
A strong care support team is made up of three levels. The first is your inner circle, made up of family and friends. The second is your middle circle, made up of your medical support team. Finally, the third level is your outer circle, which includes community assistance and resources.
Inner circle. This circle is made up of friends, family and neighbors who will help you face the everyday realities of living with dementia: acting as power of attorney, transportation to doctor’s appointments, respite care, etc. This is the group that will more than likely be helping you make the tough decisions and help you set up a long-term care plan.
Middle circle. This circle is comprised of the individuals responsible for your health and wellness plans, such as primary physicians, gerontologists, neurologists and other medical professionals. Physical therapists, psychologists and nutritionists make up this group as well. Your inner circle will be responsible for helping communicate between this circle’s members when necessary as well as making sure that the information and care are carried out.
Outer circle. This final layer includes religious leaders, community organizations (like adult day cares), lawyers, financial advisors, the Area Agency on Aging and everyone else who will touch your life in some way, shape or form. While these members will not be as much a part of your daily life as your middle or inner circle, they will still play an important role in helping you or your loved one live the most secure and fulfilling life possible.
Building Your Care Support Team.
Start from the center. The individual with dementia – yourself or your loved one – is at the very heart of the care team. All decisions you make when selecting members for your care support team should be done with this in mind. As you identify people who you want to help, make sure that you are choosing the right people who will give the very best for the individual.
Identify a trusted decision-maker. Oftentimes, this person is or will become the primary caregiver. Although you may wish for your entire family to weigh in, it’s best to make sure there’s one leader who can gather information and lead everyone in making decisions. Once you’ve identified this decision maker, have a conversation about long-term priorities, what type of help is needed now and what may be needed in the future. You may also wish to ask this person if they have suggestions of who should also be on the care support team.
Recruit your inner circle. Determine the people who you would like to have around you and begin the conversations. Ask them if they would be willing to be your support, and if so, discuss the help you will need. Come prepared with some specific ideas of how each person can help, such as grocery shopping or transportation to doctor’s appointments. Ask them to be honest if they feel like they can take this on, and to say something if they cannot.
Find a way to stay in touch. Online “care team calendars” such as CaringBridge.com are great tools to help organize resources and your care support team. Having an online portal where everyone can visit and communicate can help streamline communication and facilitate discussions when needed. It’s also a great way to involve friends and family who may live far away but can help with non-on-location tasks like arranging appointments or managing finances.
A Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Many Services, One Monthly Fee
Our dedicated memory care and services celebrate life and support each resident’s individual strengths. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, their family can be sure that with us, their loved one is safe, secure and happy.
Stunning, Purpose-Built Design
Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . it’s a community with a singular focus: enrich the lives of our residents and help their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features attributes that make life easier for those with memory loss: soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations.
Contact us today to learn more.