S1 Ep166: When Should Assisted Living or Memory Care be Considered

Everyday Health Hacker by Dr. Liza Leal

If your mom, dad or elderly loved one is having memory issues, wether dementia, Alzheimer's small vessel disease that causes short term memory loss, when should you decide on memory care and is assisted living an option.
Many with memory disorders can move to an assisted living facility, they have monitors on the floor so that if the patient tries to walk the front desk is alerted for immediate assistance. Even in assisted living or memory care, patients can wear a device that is similiar to a life alert that they can push for assistance. However, many individuals may forget how to ask for help and that is when it is best to have laser movement devices that can alert the front desk.
Many patient families ask when it is best to move their parents many prefer to be by their friends and have a unique support system with family, church and friends that allows them to maintain their independence. Others, may become more difficult as they refuse to take medications that allows the family to help them. It is one situation that can be better handled with assisted and memory care alternatives. For our patients one of the easiest transitions is from hospital, to rehabilitation to assisted living or memory care. However, it's not always that easy. Families become overwhelmed as their loved ones forget how to drive, get lost or wonder. In these instances having a family meeting with the doctor they trust can help them with this transition as we all want our loved ones to be safe in every environment.
Family members want to keep their loved ones safe and recently on the news we have seen and heard devastating incidences of loved ones being harmed, this is absolutely criminal and should you suspect it you should report it to the authorities for investigation and criminal charges. Family members should be their to care for loved ones as they care for them as children and not take advantage whether financial or physical. It's a journey that if you need assistance in the care of your loved ones, know their are specialists to help you.
There are specialty care centers that have counselors on staff to help with the transition for the patient and the family. In today's episode we will discuss a few scenarios and answer questions from emails received. If you have a question please email us at [e-mail]
Please join us weekly with Mike Herzing and your Everyday Health Hacker Dr. Liza Leal for more information visit us online at MeridianHealthInstitute.com or Everydayhealthhacker.com or email us with your thoughts and questions at [e-mail]
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Meridian Health Institute
Meridian Medical Dental Healthcare
4655 Sweetwater Blvd. Ste 500
Sugar Land, TX 77479
281-265-6565 (text and phone)