In a world where dementia and Alzheimer’s are more and more common, with an estimated 5.1 million Americans suffering from the disease, it is important to have confidence in the future care available for you or a loved one.  Many senior living communities provide assisted living to help with the performance of daily tasks, but may not provide the infrastructure and expertise of dedicated memory support services.

At Marjorie P Lee, the Morris Apartments were designed specifically for assisted living with memory support services and care in mind.  Our expert staff is familiar with the signs, symptoms, and treatments of Alzheimer’s and ready to share their knowledge with you.

Signs and Symptoms

When you see older adult friends or family members frequently, it can be easy to miss signs that they may need assisted living or other support services, so here are some warning signs to look out for:

Confusion, forgetfulness, and disorientation are part and parcel of dementia, so you may notice a decline in personal appearance or cleanliness as well as difficulty in communicating resulting from the inability to find the correct words or organize words into logical sentences.

Changes in personality, such as a loss of interest in previous pursuits, increased irritability, anxiousness or being more easily upset can also be signs of the condition.

Fatigue is a big part of the condition, and older adults with dementia often get tired very easily and may have trouble keeping house or forget to take care of certain tasks.  An unkempt or mismanaged home where dirty laundry or dishes have been allowed to pile up, simple home repairs are left unaddressed, lights aren’t working, thermostats aren’t adjusted properly, and bills aren’t being paid may be an indication that your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The noise and commotion of common spaces are loud and disorienting for those with dementia.  People talk too fast, and socialization can be difficult and confusing, so seniors with dementia often withdraw from their social scene, refusing to visiting with friends or suddenly breaking from usual routines.  

But be aware—disorientation and memory loss is not always a sign of Alzheimer’s.  Urinary tract infections, the combination of some medications, or even hearing loss can all make seniors seem muddled or unaware of their surroundingss, but all are fixable conditions.  So ask healthcare providers for a complete diagnostic workup before making any decision about care.

Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

In the early stages of dementia, home care may be a feasible option.  However, as the condition progresses and symptoms increase along with a continued loss of independence, you may want to consider a special memory care residence with assisted living or skilled care.

Memory care services, sometimes called Alzheimer’s or dementia care, usually involves around-the-clock care for older adults who have memory issues and can no longer complete daily tasks on their own.  Many memory care units in nursing homes or continuing care retirement homes provided secured environments to ensure residents’ protection by preventing them from wandering off the premises unescorted.

Transitioning from home to a residential care setting, such as an assisted living facility or nursing home, can be challenging.  Your loved one may be confused, sad, or angry by the move, but the expert staff at care services like Marjorie P Lee’s Morris Apartments provides invaluable support that will help you get through the difficult time.

At Marjorie P Lee, we know how important it is for Alzheimer’s patients to have a structured routine and to be in familiar surroundings.

We encourage you to be involved.  Although the Morris apartments provide secured living, we maintain an open door policy for family and friends.  Kindness and familiar faces help our residents feel more at home.

We realize that you know your loved ones best and encourage you to share your extensive knowledge with our interdisciplinary staff of nurses, social services and life enrichment specialists, and spiritual care professionals.  We want to get to know our residents properly.

We provide a safe, comfortable environment for all of our residents.  The hustle and bustle of regular living can often become too much to handle, creating fear, confusion and frustration.  We provide our residents with sanctuary and support in our spacious private suites.

 Surroundings are kept calm and soothing with softer lighting and warm, comfortable décor.  We encourage residents to keep familiar and well-loved furnishings like a favorite chair, blanket or other decorative items to help them feel at home and identify the space as their own.

To make sure our residents have as little stress as possible, we provide a number of therapies, services, and conveniences on-site