A person experiencing memory loss is, at the least, confused. When we can’t remember and track what’s going on, it’s very confusing. And it can be scary!
Anger and fear are natural responses. People with dementia often don’t recognize they have a problem. They just know that the world is not as they expect it to be.
Personality changes are common, as are changes in behaviors as the disease progresses. For instance, people with middle stage dementia frequently lose their social inhibitions. They forget the social customs we call manners. This can lead to actions that are embarrassing and very confusing for families.
Research indicates that caring for a person with memory loss is extremely stressful. A diagnosis of dementia, more than other conditions, takes its toll on the family.
Dementia caregivers are much more likely to be depressed. They also are more likely than other caregivers to develop significant health problems.
If your relative has dementia, you need to be extra careful to mind your own health. And you need to develop strategies for coping with stress.
Although working together as a team is optimal in elder care, that can be challenging in the case of dementia.
In the earlier stages, it is important that the person with dementia be involved in decision making. As the disease progresses, however, he or she will lose the ability to make reasoned decisions. More than with other conditions, the role of the family will change.
Determining when and how to phase out responsibility for decision making can be difficult. An Aging Life Care Manager can give you a sense of the stage of dementia. He or she can help walk you through the formal diagnosis process. An Aging Life Care Manager can also help you find resources now and to plan for the future.
Even if the memory loss condition is not curable, there are things you can do to make daily life more pleasant for all of you.
It’s very important that you reach out and get help. People with dementia need support and access to others who know what it’s like. Joining a support group of people with early stage dementia is invaluable!
Caring for someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally taxing. Family members need patience, strength, and regular breaks from caregiving. Support groups can be extremely helpful. There are also other programs and sources of support.
You don’t have to do this alone At Aging Well Care Management, we understand dementia. Give us a call at (716) 218-9717. We’d be happy to help with resources for everyone in the family.
Who can you talk to about this big change in your life?
I can't thank Michelle enough for her hard work and dedication in helping my mom and I during this Medicaid process. She was very professional and always available to answer any questions regardless of the day or time.
Michelle has provided my family with a wealth of needed information and services since 2016. In a professional but very caring manner, Aging Well Care Management has provided help with referrals, paperwork, moving and a deep knowledge of her craft. I, too, live far from New York and appreciate the work she has done with my cousin and aunt. I have great confidence in her abilities.
Michelle Spencer’s assessment of my sister’s needs and knowledge of aging well options were instrumental in helping us find a safe, supportive and caring assisted living location.She helped us navigate the placement process quickly and has been there for follow-up actions. This is especially reassuring to us because we do not live nearby.
I have been very happy working with Michelle from Aging Well Care Management and feel fortunate to have found someone who is kind, trustworthy, caring, and accommodating. This is important because I live 500 miles from my 90 year old mother, who also appreciates her weekly visits. I certainly recommend Michelle and Aging Well Care Management.
I have recently signed on as an Aging Well Care Management client. I am working with Michelle on my mother's behalf on the first task and thus far I am satisfied. I will be able to provide updated feedback after this task is complete.Thank you Michelle.
Great experience with Michelle. She was very informative and shared lots of good information. It take a load off my mind to know that I have Aging Well Care to turn to when I need assistance with the care of my sister in law who has Alzheimer’s. I would recommend them highly.
Michelle has been wonderful as a long-distance liaison for me as I have helped my parents transition in/out of rehab and assisted living facilities over the past year. Knowing I can count on her from afar to help when needed with scheduling appointments, following up with facilities, and transportation has been a relief and much weight off my shoulders. She is experienced and can help you navigate/advocate. Even if you live locally she can provide welcome relief and support when caring for others. I highly recommend Aging Well Care Management.
Michelle is wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and helpful. Told us everything we needed to know and help us get my grandmother a place to stay quickly.
I have known Michelle Spencer for two years she has been a well liked and available social worker to many people in Village Park residential apartments I employed Michelle last year and this year to assist me with editing our handbook also minutes of our residential Council Michelle has also also given me advice on medical billing I have found Michelle to be professional very knowledge flexible as she can be in her busy schedule she answers my text quickly and projects her schedule so that I can easily arrange my date I enjoy working with Michelle because she is professional easy in her conversations and willing to teach I would certainly recommend Michelle to any person or organization that needs casework or professional guidance
Working for Aging Well Care Management, LLC has been an absolute pleasure. Michelle goes above and beyond for her client’s & their families. She expects nothing less than the best from her staff. I look forward to watching this company grow & being a part of it all.
Michelle has been fantastic. Offering words of encouragement and giving useful suggestions. Our family member can be more than challenging and she has been very good at helping us through difficult times.
Thank you for your care, concern and assistance with my disabled relative. Your experience and support were much appreciated as we navigated through the variety of challenges that came up. He enjoyed your visits.
Recently our family went through a life changing event with my aging father. After unexpected time in the hospital, it was clear that dad needed full time care outside of his home. Faced with the daunting task of finding the right place for dad we retained Michelle Spencer to help us through the process. She was a huge help navigating medicaid, facility selection and all the issues we were facing for the first time. I would highly recommend Michelle to anyone that is dealing with similar decisions.
A person experiencing memory loss is, at the least, confused. When we can’t remember and track what’s going on, it’s very confusing. And it can be scary!
