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Apathy is a Main the Road Block of Dementia Care at Home

Psychological Condition..

Apathy, and anxiety are common conditions experienced by people with dementia. They are known as psychological conditions because they can affect a person’s emotional and mental health.

What is Apathy?

Apathy is a persistent loss of motivation to do things, or a lack of interest in things. It is different from depression. Many people feel short of ‘drive’ or ‘lose their ‘spark’ occasionally, but apathy is a consistent and persistent state of mind. Apathy is much more common among people with dementia than in older people without dementia. About 2–5% of older people without dementia have apathy at any one time, but
about 50–70% of people with dementia have apathy. These numbers are so significant that the relationship between dementia and apathy is unavoidable. Apathy can start at any stage of dementia but often develops early on. Many studies suggest that apathy becomes more common as dementia progresses. Once present, apathy tends to persist rather than come and go.

What are the symptoms of apathy?

A person with dementia and apathy will have less motivation, as well as
some or all of the following changes:

lack of effort or energy to do everyday tasks
lack of structuring their daily activities, and/or reliance on others to structure daily activities
loss of interest new things, such as meeting people and current events
lack of concern about their own problems or lack of planning to address these problems
unemotional responses to news or personal events (news or events that would have received an emotional response prior to the dementia)
lack of interest in friends and extended family
lack of interest in hobbies and activities previously enjoyed

What can be done to help?

Although numerous studies have found that brain changes as a result of dementia are the main culprits of apathy, it does not mean that a person with dementia who has apathy is not able to have fun or enjoy themselves. It means it will take more effort and creativity to accomplish this. Creating as many opportunities as possible to socialize and reduce isolation is extremely important. Encouraging a person daily to perform activities that they used to enjoy is necessary and important. Having these activities close by and readily available is key. Creating an environment where activities are plentiful and different in scope is important. Addressing the apathy and isolation as soon as possible is key. The longer a person stays isolated the more likely that isolating lifestyle will become a habit that is harder to break.

The Importance of a Cognitive Care Community for Dementia Care

October 26, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Decatur Memory Care, In the News, Lilburn Memory Care, Orchard Blog, Stone Mountain Memory Care, Tucker Memory Care /by Orchard Senior Living

We All Age But…

There is no way to avoid the aging process. Our bodies age, we get new wrinkles in relative the same pace. The one difference is, our Brains age differently. The majority of us will encounter some level of age related decline, but some of us will experience a more pronounced level of cognitive decline and/or dementia. Although our chances of getting dementia increase with age, dementia is not a part of the natural aging process. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes.

Many Studies have been done Comparing the Aging Population with those with a Cognitive Impairment or Dementia…

There have been numerous studies done involving those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Dementia that looked at how that impairment changed a person’s views about themselves. These studies showed that Cognitive Impairment showed could profoundly affect a person’s understanding of their place in the world.

Two Groups of Seniors…..

Studies looked at two groups of seniors. One group of seniors without a cognitive impairment or dementia and one group with one or both of those impairments. Both groups described experiencing common memory mistakes such as forgetting names of friends and neighbors, misplacing common items, and repeating themselves in conversation. These incidents resulted in a variety of negative emotional experiences and self-evaluations that were expressed differently by the two groups. Participants with age-normal memory changes described feeling as if they are getting forgetful but attributing that forgetfulness to normal aging that happens to everyone and laughing it off as a goof. On the other hand the group with the MCI or dementia felt “bothered,” “upset,” and “embarrassed” by their memory mistakes. They expressed some degree of self-doubt about their abilities and a tendency to put themselves down. Some even said that their memory mistakes made them “feel stupid.”

More Differences Between the Two Groups of Seniors…

Memory changes showed to have important consequences for everyday social interactions and relationships with others. The changes described were generally positive for older adults with age-normal memory changes and generally negative for those with a MCI or Dementia. The group with normal memory change described a sense of camaraderie with their same-age peers who experience similar types of memory changes. In contrast to the normal memory group, individuals with Cognitive Impairment spoke about how their memory problems have led to social withdrawal and isolation . They also stated that they “don’t get out as frequently,” that they are “withdrawing more from social occasions,” and even that they have become more “introverted.” There are a variety of reasons as to why memory problems have led to social withdrawal in the group with the Cognitive Impairment. Remembering friends’ names and shared experiences is an important part of social relationships, and failure to do this can be embarrassing or frustrating. For some individuals, withdrawing from social interactions is a way to avoid embarrassment. Seniors with a Cognitive Impairment, said they have more difficulty engaging in activities because their more significant memory problems leave them feeling lost, confused, or embarrassed. They describe feeling left out or disregarded in social interactions, thus causing them to withdraw from these activities to an even greater degree. In many cases the result is a loss of confidence which leads to withdrawal from social and leisure activities, and the consequent decline in participation in these activities results in increasing difficulty in these areas, followed by further loss of confidence and feelings of inadequacy.

What Happens when the Two Groups Consistently Interact….

In most cases Cognitive Impairment or Dementia will not get better. It is a progressive disease that only gets worse. Currently there is no cure. It is almost impossible to teach all those Without a cognitive impairment how to interact with those With a cognitive impairment correctly. In many cases they wont even understand or know what they are doing wrong. When seniors with no cognitive impairment consistently interact with seniors with cognitive impairment, the deficits of the impaired group become more and more obvious each day. These results lead to decreased confidence and ultimately isolation for the group that is cognitively impaired.

What is the Answer?

Although there is no perfect answer or a solution, the best answer is a Cognitive Care Community. A community where all the residents have a degree of cognitive impairment and are grouped by the level of their impairment. In a Cognitive Care Community, residents interact with those that are on their level cognitively. They may be enjoying a lunch where all the table mates take turns telling the same story they already told. Because all of them are doing it, no one is made to feel worse than the other. There is no one at that table that will cut off a table mate mid story and say “you already told us that story”, “stop being repetitive”. All four leave the lunch feeling good about themselves without their deficit being in the forefront. The goal is to make those good feelings last for as long as possible…

Mom Needs Memory Support not Memory Care

October 19, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Decatur Memory Care, In the News, Lilburn Memory Care, Orchard Blog, Stone Mountain Memory Care, Tucker Memory Care /by Orchard Senior Living

Does mom need Memory Support or Memory Care? Good Question

I would first like to start with saying that appropriate Memory Support prolongs the need for Memory Care. In a traditional community setting, those with moderate dementia are either not thriving in Assisted Living or have to move to Memory Care too soon. In my opinion providing the right amount of memory support is the toughest area of senior care because it is not strictly defined.

Can Memory Support ever be Strictly Defined?

The answer is No. Providing Memory Support to someone with Alzheimer’s & Dementia is like providing a step stool for someone who needs a boost to see over a ledge. The difference is there are different ledges so different step stools are needed. Providing the right amount of support will enable a person to function as independently as possible. Providing too much support will further disable a person and result in a cognitive decline, and providing too little will hinder a person’s abilities to function and thrive. Cognitive Care is another way to describe Memory Support. Memory Care is a specialized care unit/section/or building where maximum cognitive assistance is provided and independence is limited. Memory Care is also usually a small, secure section, where activities and daily interactions are done in a group setting.

Types of Memory Support

have duplicates for commonly lost items, and also knowing the hiding places (for this group of folks, the less space they have the better)
know their schedule and guide the person through the day, personally guide to appointments and events
anticipate needs and provide assistance without being asked
explain tasks by breaking them into parts, with easy to understand sentences
know and understand the daily routine and provide assistance in a way that does not make a person feel that they need assistance
do not assume a person ate if you did not see them eat.
while providing additional assistance, make it seem like you are providing a regular service.
keep an eye on someone from 10-20 feet away so they don’t feel like you are hovering over them, but you are watching for safety.

Specific Examples

Jan is 78 and has Alzheimer’s Disease. She missed her last doctor’s appointment, hair appointment, and her favorite church concert. While living at home alone, Jan did not eat for 2-4 days, passed out and found herself in the hospital suffering from malnutrition and hydration. What could have been done to avoid these scenarios?

Keep track of Jan’s appointments, by helping her make them at a time when transportation is available, if transportation is necessary. Remind Jan earlier that day, make sure she is ready, and personally take her to the appointment.
Bring Jan to breakfast, make sure she gets it in front of her. After breakfast, tell Jan the next meal is lunch and you will get her for that meal. This will put her at ease.
Everyday at 2 pm come to Jan with a pretty glass of water, encourage her, and then watch her drink it. Make sure Jan has a beverage in front of her for her meals and that she is drinking. Replace the beverage with an alternative option if needed.

The Take Away……

Many people are not getting the right amount of Memory Support in their current environment. I have found that there is a large percentage of those impaired with Dementia and Alzheimer’s that need more than Assisted Living, but less than Memory Care. These folks need another option. What they need is Memory Support/Cognitive Care in Assisted Living.

Specialized Memory Care for those with Alzheimer’s & Dementia

October 18, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Decatur Memory Care, In the News, Lilburn Memory Care, Orchard Blog, Stone Mountain Memory Care, Tucker Memory Care /by Orchard Senior Living

What is Memory Care?

When you ask this question you get a range of answers. You hear Memory Care is a specialized unit for Alzheimer’s & Dementia. You also hear it is a lock down unit that is separate from the rest of the community. You hear it is a unit for wanderers. You hear Memory Care is somewhere where specialized care is provided.

What is the Answer?

Depends who is answering. Technically a Memory Care Community or a Memory Care Section is where care is provided to those who exhibit symptoms and/or behaviors related to Alzheimer’s or one of the many Dementia Types. The thing is these symptoms and behaviors are vast and vary to different degrees, effect people in different combinations.

The One Size Does Not Fit All phrase I hear everywhere?

Every community claims that their memory care offers care based on each person’s ability. How is it possible to offer this type of individualized care in a unit where you have residents that are very active physically, residents who are wheelchair bound and have lost their ability to speak, residents that are prone to outbursts or inappropriate behavior?

The Answer?

You can’t. Unless you have a private caretaker or an activity coordinator for each group of individuals you are not able to provide individualized care and engagement because the abilities of the residents with Alzheimer’s or Dementia vary to such a large degree.

The Real Answer?

A Community has to be able to offer 3-4 levels (sections) of secure care for memory support. One of the sections should include the high functioning resident that is prone to wondering, and has an extroverted type of personality. One section should include high functioning residents that need memory support that are not prone to wondering and also have introverted personalities. Another section should be for those residents in the severe stage of Dementia, who have lost most of their language abilities, as well as independent movement. These residents will also likely need specialized diets, and nutrition therapy. The abilities of these residents are the most diminished of the 3 groups and their care and activities are set up accordingly.

The Take Away….

Although there may be a desire to provide individual care and engagement, that desire is not enough if the environment is not conducive to make that happen. Because the symptoms and behaviors of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia vary so greatly, it is imperative to separate residents within the community into smaller groups based on their cognitive and physical abilities. Once this is accomplished, a community is able to create the environment, the care structure, and an engagement plan to meet the need of the residents in each section or group.

Delicious Puree Recipes for Assisted Living & Memory Care

October 13, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Decatur Memory Care, In the News, Orchard Blog, Stone Mountain Memory Care, Tucker Memory Care /by Orchard Senior Living

One of my favorite puree recipes are Mango Moose Cups. They are easy to make, and most importantly very delicious.

Ingredients you will need

1 tsp gelatin powder
2 tbsp water
5 oz mango puree
2 tbsp granulated white sugar (or more to taste)
5 oz heavy whipping cream

Dissolve gelatin into 1 tbsp of water. Heat remaining 1 tbsp water until it is hot/almost boiling and add to gelatin, stirring until gelatin is fully dissolved. Add gelatin and puree into blender and mix on high speed until fully blended. In a stand mixer, add 2 tbsp sugar and heavy cream and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. Slowly add puree into the whipped cream, folding it into the cream until completely mixed and uniform in color. Pour into individual portion cups and refrigerate to set.

It is very important to use pretty glassware that is the right size for the right person. One person may require a 4 oz glass and one a 12 oz glass. It is important to note that personal preferences are very important in all food preparation. Here is an example of a pretty glass.

If we follow this wonderful, easy to make recipes you will get:

Mango Mouse Cups

(please note that the garnishment on top of the mouse is for decoration designed to make the cup look appetizing. Decoration should be removed prior to consumption for those that are on a pure diet)

Conversations with Dementia Consultant-Navigating the Transition

October 12, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, In the News, Orchard Blog /by Orchard Senior Living

Alzheimer’s and related dementia’s have a profound impact on family members and the experiences of loved ones living with dementia. As neurodegenerative medical conditions progress they often demand increased attention to needs and environmental transitions can be imminent, but helpful. The stress and duress of change requires decision making, a lot of detail, and typically a period of adjustment for everyone involved.

Orchard Senior Living recognizes change for some families can be emotionally and physically overwhelming or challenging. We want to help by offering you the provision of a Transitional Counselor who will support your transition beginning to end.

When living with dementia, we face transitions that are accompanied by a desire and longing to find our way to “well-being.” We want to feel in control, confident, comfortable with ourselves, and valued by those who are important to us. Talking to someone who understands, creates courage and elicits new ideas when managing change or challenges.

I’m Robin Andrews, a solution focused communications consultant specializing in transition for families living with dementia. I have a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and have worked in behavioral healthcare and aging services for 15 years. My collaborative counseling model is based on personal competency and solution-building rather than problem solving. Minimizing emphasis on past failings and problems, I instead focus on a persons’ strengths, abilities and successes. I would be honored to assist you in a journey toward hope, healing, and self-discovery.

Dementia and Difficult Behavior

June 16, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Orchard Blog /by Big Shark Marketing

When you think of dementia you typically think of memory loss first. What many are not prepared for is how other behaviors can change too. In many cases, it is these difficult behaviors that families report as more troublesome than memory loss.

What is difficult dementia behavior? Difficult behavior includes actions that are destructive, highly upsetting, or unsafe for themselves or others. Difficult behavior does not include behavior that seems unusual or bothersome, such as asking questions repeatedly or preferring particular foods, clothing or routines.

As friends and family, it’s important to change our attitudes, behavior, and habits to prevent and even reduce any difficult behavior. Start with these valuable tips:

Focus on your nonverbal communication.
Make yourself aware of your facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice. People with dementia will reflect your nonverbal communication. Make sure the nonverbal communication you bring into the room matches what you want to see in them.

Model positive emotions.
Put aside strong feelings that may distract or trouble you. People with dementia generally understand your emotions.

Keep it simple.
Provide clear instructions and ask yes/no questions. Limit options to two choices.

Pay attention to body language.
It will provide clues about your loved one’s emotional state what they need. Respond before difficult behavior begins to ultimately evade any difficult behavior.

Avoid even small arguments.
Adding conflict to the situation only makes things worse. Do not argue, correct or try to convince using facts and logic.

Caring for someone with dementia can be tiring, stressful, and confusing without the right help and knowledge. Consider getting extra aid from our compassionate caregivers at the Orchard, we offer excellent dementia care services that can help reduce and prevent difficult behavior. Contact us here for more information and schedule a tour of our assisted living community in Tucker, Georgia!

Senior Sun Safety

May 24, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Orchard Blog /by Big Shark Marketing

sun safety outdoors - tucker, ga Summer weather is great for relaxing with family and friends. Too much outdoor time for seniors, however, can lead to problems like sunburn or dehydration. By taking a few precautions, these problems can be avoided so you can get the most out of long summer days.

Wear the right clothing
The best summertime clothing for seniors is lightweight and made out of breathable fabric such as cotton. Shirts should be long-sleeved, and seniors should wear wide brimmed hats.

Apply sunscreen early and often
Sunscreen takes time to work, so doing wait until you’re poolside to apply sunscreen. Try to apply about an hour before you head outside and reapply every two hours.

Drink plenty of fluids
Seniors are less likely to feel thirsty and dehydration can come on unexpectedly. Try to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day, especially on days involving physical activity, or if the weather is particularly hot.

Stay indoors during the hottest hours
The sun is most intense during the middle of the day. Save activities like gardening or walking for the early morning or evening when the weather is cooler.

Weather can get extremely hot during the summer in Tucker, GA. Do your best to follow these tips so you can get the most out of your time outdoors this year. Our assisted living community offers gardening programs, great outdoor recreational areas, and plenty of seats in the shade. Contact us today to schedule a tour and experience the Orchard difference.

Tips to Know When Moving into Your New Home at Orchard

April 24, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Orchard Blog /by Big Shark Marketing

Orchard-Deluxe-Bedroom-1030x688 It’s no secret that moving is both difficult and time-consuming. The trick is to feel comfortable in your new home quickly and get your routine back. These 3 big tips can give you the right guidance when moving into your new home into the Orchard community.

Contact movers, or assistance, 3 – 4 weeks in advance

Once you have a confirmed date for your move, it is important you contact your movers as early as possible in advance. This way you aren’t rushing last-minute, or revising your personal schedule. If you are not hiring professional movers, it is still important to inform anyone who is helping you in advance so they can take time out of their schedule to help.

Unpack with organization

Mark each box you pack with what room or where you want it to be placed in your new home. When your boxes are placed in specific rooms, you’re already ahead in the unpacking game. One way to make the entire process easier is to start with essentials. Unpack the absolute necessities, such as bedding, clothes, toiletry, and towels, first.

Meet the neighbors

After all the unpacking, you’ll need a break, and some fresh air will do you well. Take a walk around the community, and stop by, and introduce yourself to the new neighbors. You’ll begin the process of fitting into your new atmosphere and feeling at home right away.

Moving doesn’t have to be an undesirable experience, with these tips, you can make it all that much easier. To schedule a tour of the Orchard in Tucker, Georgia contact us here.

How does Parkinson’s disease progress?

March 21, 2017/in Atlanta assisted living, Atlanta memory care, Atlanta senior care, Orchard Blog /by Orchard Senior Living

Parkinson’s disease does not affect everyone the same way. Symptoms of the disorder and the rate of progression differ among people with the disease. Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are subtle and occur gradually. For example, affected people may feel mild tremors or have difficulty getting out of a chair. They may notice that they speak too softly or that their handwriting is slow and looks cramped or small. This very early period may last a long time before the more classic and obvious symptoms appear.

As the disease progresses, symptoms may begin to interfere with daily activities. The shaking or tremor may make it difficult to hold utensils steady or read a newspaper. Tremor is usually the symptom that causes people to seek medical help.

People with Parkinson’s often develop a so-called parkinsonian gait that includes a tendency to lean forward, small quick steps as if hurrying forward (called festination), and reduced swinging of the arms. They also may have trouble initiating or continuing movement, which is known as freezing.

Symptoms often begin on one side of the body, or even in one limb on one side of the body. As the disease progresses, it eventually affects both sides. However, the symptoms are often less severe on one side than on the other.