Short-Term Support from a Memory Care Assisted Living Community is Ideal
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Donna’s mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than three years ago. At the time, it was a stunning diagnosis, even though there were various signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s for many months. When Donna looked back over the previous couple of years, she began to see there were more signs that she simply missed. What she had not considered was short-term care services to help her work through the situation.
At first, Donna’s mother wanted to stay home as long as she could. That seemed reasonable enough. After all, when she was diagnosed, even though she was struggling with some memory issues, she was still able to manage her basic care for the most part. With a little support from Donna and some other family members, nobody saw any reason why she couldn’t remain home for the rest of her life.
Fast-forward a couple of years, and Donna, her sister, her husband, and others were feeling the pressure and stress of being caregivers for somebody with dementia. They never considered a memory care assisted living community before because Donna’s mother was adamantly opposed to moving out of her house.
Yet, the more time passed, the more stress that built, the clearer it became that she would need more than the entire family could offer, at least at this time.
That’s when Donna discovered a short-term care option at some assisted living communities. This is known as respite care, and for a memory care facility that offers it, it could be a stepping stone that may help a senior see from the inside, in short stays, just how beneficial that community could be for them and their future.
Below, we have put together three reasons that a short-term care option at a memory care facility may be ideal, as Donna and her family discovered.
Reason #1: Professional, experienced staff.
For Donna and the rest of her family and other loved ones, they had no prior experience helping somebody with Alzheimer’s. They didn’t know what they were doing. That meant a lot of missed opportunities and potential mistakes along the way.
At a decent assisted living community, though, there would be experienced staff members who are trained and who have worked with other seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for months and maybe even years.
Short-Term Care Greenville SC – Short-Term Support from a Memory Care Assisted Living Community is Ideal
Reason #2: It doesn’t have to be a permanent solution.
Donna’s mother did not want to consider assisted living because she saw it as the beginning of the end of her life. When somebody stays for just a few days a week, a week or two at a time, or just overnight hours, they don’t have to see assisted living as the beginning of the end.
They also don’t have to consider it a permanent solution. They can enjoy the benefits that a memory care facility offers and then return home when it’s time.
Reason #3: It can show seniors the benefits of assisted living.
Donna’s mother wasn’t enthusiastic about respite care at a facility, but she knew her daughter was under extreme stress; she could see that. So, she agreed to a few days a week for two weeks.
In that time, she made friends, participated in activities she enjoyed, and realized this might very well be what’s best for her and her future.
