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Memory Care vs. Aging in Place: What’s Best?

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

When it comes to memory care, aging in place isn’t something that people automatically think about, since those with memory issues often require a great deal of care and assistance. However, there can be opportunities for individuals to age in place, even with a diagnosis of memory issues, says Fred Kelly, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington.

 

“Most people think of aging in place as continuing to live in your current home,” Fred explains. “While that can be the case, it’s important to look at the situation in another way. Aging in place can also mean moving to a place where you’re comfortable and surrounded by caring people, all while also receiving the best memory care possible.”

 

Because cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are progressive, the symptoms and issues worsen over time, requiring increasing amounts of care. Many caregivers aren’t personally equipped to handle the ever-changing reality of these types of diseases, and a family home isn’t always a safe environment in which to care for someone living with dementia.

 

“It’s important to shift one’s thinking and regard aging in place through the lens of individual choice,” says Fred. “The most important aspect is to give an individual the freedom to receive the care they need in a homelike environment.”

 

Fred says that Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington has been specially designed to help those with memory issues find a home and the care they need in a comfortable, supportive environment. “Our community, when it opens in early 2022, will be truly a home first and a care provider second,” Fred says. “Our primary goal is to ensure that we provide a safe, comfortable home for our residents, no matter what stage of the dementia journey they are in. This allows our residents to age in place and live their lives to the fullest, each and every day.”

 

Aging in Place at Home: Comfortable and Familiar

That being said, it may possible to have individuals with dementia to age in place in their current home. It’s simply a matter of providing an increasing amount of personal care while also ensuring the physical setup of the home provides a safe environment for the individual. Here are some ways that family members and caregivers can set up a private home for their loved one to age in place.

 

24/7 caregiving. In the earlier stages of dementia, it’s possible that an individual can live independently with just some assistance here and there. However, as the disease progresses, more and more care will be required until the individual needs around-the-clock care. This is possible to obtain in a private home by hiring in-home caretakers who can be present throughout the day and night. There are many home care assistance providers who will offer 24/7 caregiving with a staff of professionally-trained caregivers. However, this does not come without a price tag – 24/7 care can be quite costly and is not usually covered by insurance.

 

Home renovations. Many home situations are not set up for the needs of an aging individual. Dementia does not just affect mental capacity; it also manifests in physical changes. This means that individuals with dementia require certain things to be put in place to live safely. This can be accomplished by installing things like chair lifts, wheelchair ramps, widening doors and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, reconfiguring home layouts to bring rooms like bathrooms and kitchens to one level and so on and so forth. Again, while these changes can be made, it may not be realistic within the current home.

 

A balanced lifestyle. Research has shown that a whole-body wellness program can help those with dementia live healthy lives and maintain a high quality of life for as long as possible. This includes a healthy and balanced diet, a regimen of physical fitness, engaging and enriching activities, and extensive social opportunities. While this could be achieved at home, it’s often more than the primary caregiver can handle on top of regular day-to-day caregiving and household duties.

 

Memory Care: Everything That’s Needed – All In One Place

As you can see, aging in place in a family home is possible – but it’s also very costly, stressful and requires a lot of work. Moving into a memory care community like Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington, on the other hand, means that someone with dementia is in an environment where everything has been tailored and designed for their comfort. Here are just some ways that memory care provides benefits beyond aging in place:

 

Individuals live independently for longer.

Memory care communities provide a balance of independence and safety, no matter what stage of the dementia journey the individual is in. A private home may not be able to handle all levels of care while also ensuring independence. Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington has been designed to meet the needs of seniors living with dementia at every stage, meaning that no matter how little or how much care is required, your loved one will receive the assistance they need while enjoying the independence they crave. Our compassionate teams, easy-to-navigate households and fulfilling programming have all been designed to promote fulfillment, joy and dignity through the memory loss journey.

 

Social opportunities are everywhere.

When living on their own or with just one caregiver, individuals living with dementia often become isolated, leading to boredom, depression and worsened symptoms. In a memory care community like Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington, there’s an entire community of peers and individuals, plus an engaged and compassionate staff, which means that those with dementia have as much social engagement and interaction as they like. Our signature memory care programming involves games and activities that help lessen cognition impairment by exercising brains in a fun and engaging way, helping those with dementia retain their abilities for as long as possible.

 

It’s a safe and comforting environment.

One of the ways memory care communities are superior to private homes is that security and safety are literally built into life. The environment at Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington has been crafted by dementia experts to be completely secure, reducing the risk of wandering and confusion. Hallways and other features are wide, easy to navigate and have visual cues that help reduce anxiety and promote confidence. A professionally trained staff is available 24/7, as is security. Plus, unlike a private home, you don’t have to shell out big bucks to make sure your loved one has all the safety features they need. State-of-the-art technologies and safety features like emergency pull systems in every room mean that, no matter what, help is just a few moments away.

 

Family members are cared for, too.

Memory care communities like Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington understand that memory loss isn’t just an individual journey – it affects everyone in the family. We provide monthly support groups, caregiving support and other resources to help family members understand the disease and gain tips for the unique challenges facing them. This provides peace of mind and relief for families, which is no small thing. This support and care allow family members to relax, knowing that their loved ones (and themselves) are being cared for in the very best possible way.

 

Opening Spring 2022: A Fulfilling Lifestyle in Middlesex County, MA

Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington will provide expert memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community will offer a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, independence and fulfillment in daily life.

 

Dedicated Memory Care

Our programs, care and services are all designed to celebrate our residents’ lives and support each resident’s strengths and abilities. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, our memory care professionals will work to maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents every day.

 

Stunning, Purpose-Built Design

Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Lexington will be so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It will be a community focused on enriching the lives of our residents and helping their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features, including soft paint colors, directional cues, and aromatherapy, will provide a soothing and easy-to-navigate environment.

Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.

 

Contact us today to learn more.

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