Welcome back! Our blog is designed to serve our dear residents and their families residing within our Manor Lake Ellijay Assisted Living and Manor Lake Ellijay Memory Care communities. Of course, we also strive to support the broader local public as a community service.
Most of you know that we manage this assisted living and memory care blog on behalf of our cherished residents, their families, and all of you home care heroes caring for your loved ones. Today, we’ll discuss a concern that many of you have questions about but may be uncomfortable addressing directly: dementia assessment.
Are you (or a loved one) forgetting where you put your car keys? Struggling to remember the name of an old friend at the supermarket? Is a memory lapse a sign of dementia—or just a normal part of aging? The truth is, it is normal to forget things occasionally as we age. But serious memory problems that interfere with everyday tasks—like driving, using the phone, or finding your way home—may be cause for concern.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Some older adults have a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This means they have more memory or other thinking problems than other people their age. People with MCI can usually take care of themselves and continue their normal activities. MCI may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, but not everyone with MCI will develop Alzheimer’s.
Signs of MCI include:
- Losing things often
- Forgetting important events or appointments
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Having more trouble coming up with words than others the same age
Dementia and Aging
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It involves a loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, learning, reasoning—and behavioral abilities to the extent that it interferes with a person’s quality of life and daily activities.
In addition to memory loss, dementia may also include problems with language, visual perception, attention, or personality changes. While there are different forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type in people over age 65.
Differences Between Normal Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
Normal Aging
- Making a bad decision once in a while
- Missing a monthly payment
- Forgetting which day it is, but remembering later
- Occasionally forgetting which word to use
- Misplacing things from time to time
Alzheimer’s Disease
- Making poor judgments and decisions often
- Consistently struggling with monthly bills
- Losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time
- Difficulty holding a conversation
- Frequently misplacing things and being unable to find them
Help Is Available
The good news is that support is available. Medicare covers services for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. These services can include assessments performed at home, in person, or via TeleHealth.
You’ll be paired with a trained personal dementia coach and a nurse practitioner who will assess your situation and create a customized care plan tailored to your needs. Your dementia coach will guide you through a comprehensive assessment, identify areas of concern or stress, and connect you with resources and education. Based on these findings, a nurse practitioner will review and finalize your personalized care plan.
If you or your loved one is worried about cognitive decline, now is the time to reach out for help. Whether you know us already or are new to us, we can help. Contact us here at Manor Lake Ellijay Assisted Living and Memory Care in Ellijay, GA.