Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect a large percentage of senior adults the older they get. While there is no known cure, advances in Alzheimer’s and dementia care have been in the news lately, and they are promising big changes in the way they treat dementia and other neurological disorders. Currently, there are well over 55 million people living with dementia1.
Calder Woods is a full-service senior living community that welcomes Texas seniors who need memory care to maintain their quality of life. During your consultation, we will discuss your current health needs and develop a comprehensive program that includes medication management, 24/7 monitoring, nutritious meal plans, and long-term skilled nursing care.
Call 409.407.7636 today to speak with our knowledgeable team about senior memory care and advances in dementia care.
What Is Dementia Care?
Dementia is a progressive disease that affects senior adults over the age of 65. It is a group of brain disorders that affect your thinking, memory, and behaviors that impact your daily lives.
Some of the common forms of dementia include:
- Lewy body disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Pick’s disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia that affects over 6.7 million people in the U.S. A full-service dementia care offers an on-site social worker and chaplain, memory-enhancement programs, an outdoor garden and walking paths, and daily housekeeping and laundry services. Plus, they have access to physical, speech, and occupational therapies, an exercise program, a wellness program, and daily activities and social events that they can participate in.
At Calder Woods, our dementia care programs include support for residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. We will tailor your memory care to your specific needs, including medication management, nutritious meal plans, assistance with daily living needs, and more.
The Advances in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
Several advances in Alzheimer’s and dementia care can treat symptoms of dementia. These advances remove amyloid plaque and can slow the progression of the illness. New advances, including immunotherapy, drug therapies, cognitive training, diet, and physical activity, are being tested as we speak.
Advances in Dementia Care
Several advancements in dementia care have helped with the diagnosis of dementia. They are now able to detect brain activity, metabolism, and blood flow that indicate signs of dementia. SPECT, PET, and fMRI scans are being used to detect signs of dementia. In fact, there are PET tracers that target specific pathological features of dementia, such as beta-amyloid and tau proteins.
Advances in Alzheimer’s Care
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other progressive types of dementia, there is hope. Advances in medication that treats Alzheimer’s are now readily available. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved several medications that decrease Alzheimer’s symptoms. These include:
- Lecanemab
- Donanemab
- Aducanumab
These drugs slow the progression of the disease by preventing amyloid plaques from clumping in the brain. Amyloid plaque forms when pieces of beta-amyloid clump together. They come from the fatty membrane surrounding nerve cells and are known to be very “chemically sticky” and can gradually build up to form plaque.
Recreo VR
This is a user-friendly application that is paired with an in-house 360-degree VR headset. It creates a seamless integration into daily practices, ensuring a transformative and enriching experience. Some of the benefits include:
- Stimulates cognitive abilities
- Promotes reminiscence therapy
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Ignites a sense of joy, curiosity, and exploration
Virtual reality can have a profound positive impact on the mental well-being of senior adults.
Calder Woods – Discover Our Senior Memory Care Programs Today
At Calder Woods, we welcome senior adults who struggle with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and need a memory care program. We have spacious rooms and apartments you can tour while showing you around the community. We can build a comprehensive program that includes medication management, speech and occupational therapy, and 24/7 monitoring to prevent wandering and getting lost.
You can contact Calder Woods online or schedule a consultation by calling 409.407.7636 today to discuss our memory care options.