2022 South Central Directory

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C OPING WITh A D IAGNOSIS OF D EMENTIA ations, providing an outlet for confronting the emotions and fears. If group settings are uncomfortable at this stage, organizations like the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance and local aging and disability resource centers may directly provide or pro- vide referrals to one-on-one counseling services. Ultimately, planning is critical to decide how the person with dementia will be cared for as the disease progresses. One option is to provide care in their home setting, either through family caregivers or through home health care ser- vices. This maintains a famil- iar environment, but can be prohibitive in terms of the caregiver’s physical and men- tal commitment, or cost pro- hibitive if outside services are required for extended hours. Resources including adult day care may be available through local senior centers for those receiving in-home care. Assisted living is another option. Many licensed senior communities provide dedicat- ed memory care services. These environments may

ife gets more difficult for everyone involved when a loved one is diagnosed with a dementia-related condition. Most of us are not aware of the twists and turns that come with these situations, and find our- selves at a loss for what to do next. Fortunately, there are a host of resources available to provide support and education. A good place to start is with some basic definitions. We all need to recognize that dementia does not mean crazy. Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a variety of conditions, includ- ing Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. People who have been diagnosed with dementia may also have other illnesses. Because of the preva- lence of this, ongoing care— including assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs), supervision, medication admin- istration—along with basic cooking and cleaning services may be needed. What are the options available for families dealing with a diag- nosis of dementia? There are many groups available to pro- vide support and counseling for the person diagnosed, their family and friends. Support groups can help educate about the disease and provide advice about living with dementia. They also can provide connec- tions with others in similar situ-

include safeguards to prevent the wandering behaviors often associated with dementia and are staffed 24-hours a day. Activities are tailored to those with dementia, and are designed to support physical and cognitive strengths as well as quality of life. The struc- tured setting can be soothing, as it provides a predictable sched- ule and minimizes the surprises that can be upsetting for those with dementia. Family caregiving, professional home care, or assisted living. Whatever the option chosen— and many families find them- selves ultimately using a combi- nation of all three—resources are available to provide support. Following are just a few sources to contact for more information and/or support services: Alzheimer’s and DementiaAlliance www.alzwisc.org 888-308-6251 Alzheimer’s Disease and Referral Center www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers 800-438-4380 Alzheimer’s Association

www.alz.org 800-272-3900 Eldercare Locator www.eldercare.gov 800-677-1116

Article submitted by Oak Park ® Place Community

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F or information on S enior S ervices in Wisconsin, visit our website www.seniorresourcesonline.com

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