During the process of normal or “healthy” aging, there are natural changes that take place if one is free of any disease. Dr. Adam Gazzaley, MD of the University of California Memory and Aging Center has stated that some changes in the ability to think are considered a normal part of the aging process. Dementia, on the other hand, is not a normal outcome of aging. Being able to recognize the difference between normal aging and dementia in you or a loved one can assist you in determining when additional help or evaluation is needed. When the time comes for the help you need, turn to the retirement and assisted living communities of Retirement Unlimited, Inc for the right care at the right time.

Normal Aging
In normal aging, you can expect a number of skills and abilities to be intact or only slightly different. You will continue to be independent in what are considered daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, driving, and working. You may notice memory loss, but you will be able to give details about those incidents of forgetfulness; and you will be more concerned about this type of memory loss than your close family members. Despite these occasional lapses of forgetfulness, your memory for recent events and conversations will not be a problem. You may notice occasional difficulty with finding the right word that you want to use, but your vocabulary will remain rich. Also, a part of the aging process will be the annoying problem of getting lost in a familiar place. You may have to give yourself a few moments to remember your way (but you WILL remember). As you age, you may still be able to operate your common household appliances, even if you may be unwilling to learn how to use new devices.

Dementia
Now, contrast the abilities and skills of normal aging stated above with what you can expect with dementia. A person with dementia depends on others for those daily activities that will keep them independent. He or she will not be able to recall incidents of memory loss and may only complain about memory problems if specifically asked. These occasions of memory loss will become more of a concern for close family members than for the person. In addition, there may be a noticeable decline in memory for recent events or the ability to maintain a conversation. A person with dementia has considerable difficulty finding and using the right word. The person may use close substitutions for the word he/she wants or may use a description instead of the actual word. The ability to find the right word continues to decline in dementia. The person may lose his/her way in what was very familiar territory and sometimes may take hours to find their way back. Also, a person who has even early dementia will not be able to use common appliances and will be unable to learn how to operate even simple new devices.

Factors to Consider in Normal Aging vs. Dementia
Dr. Adam Gazzaley identifies a number of risk factors for decline that can lead to dementia. He also points to additional factors that can contribute to healthy aging. The risk factors are:
•    High blood pressure, diabetes, poor nutrition and social isolation
•    Heart disease
•    Family history of dementia
•    Stress and depression which negatively affect the healthy aging process
The important factors that will promote healthy aging include:
•    Don’t smoke and limit alcohol consumption
•    Maintain physical activity through exercise that promotes flexibility, strength, and mood
•    Keep up with routine medical care to maintain good health
•    Keep your heart healthy; as the doctor says “What’s good for the heart is good for the brain!”
•    Maintain your social contacts with friends and associates
Retirement and assisted living communities can provide healthy meals, fitness and wellness programs, and social opportunities for seniors.

Some information in this article was adapted from the “Normal Aging” article by Dr. Gazzaley’s. For more research on the normal aging brain, visit http://memory.ucsf.edu/Education/Topics/normalaging.html.

With the many options out there for your retirement, it can be confusing knowing what choice to make. Many senior housing communities have assisted living options. Some nursing homes have an “assisted living wing.” Some assisted living communities offer independent living. It’s enough to make you want to build a raft and spend your retirement on a small deserted island! We want to provide you with some helpful definitions to navigate through these choices. We can also recommend some deserted islands and really good sunscreen, if you choose that option as well.

Independent Living
When do you want “Independent Living?” You are making this choice usually because you want to and are able to live without any help, but you no longer want (or need) the burden of maintaining your current home. You would prefer to live with other people of the same age and similar interests. You may desire social activities or interesting day trips. You might want to cook some meals, but you also may want the option of dining out without having to drive anywhere. You definitely want someone else to mow the lawn, shovel the snow, weed the garden and water the grass (or at least you don’t want to do so much of it any more)

Where can you find “Independent Living?” One option is found in the retirement housing subdivisions. These can be sprawling campuses with many amenities. With this option, you can buy or rent an apartment/condo/or small “cottage” Many times, these communities require total independence with regard to your health. However, you can also find the option of “independent” living within an assisted living community. In these communities, while you live independently, you also have the option of adding health services as you need them.

Assisted Living
When do you want “Assisted Living?” You make this choice when medical, memory, or aging issues reduce your ability to safely stay in your own home. You may still want the personal privacy and autonomy, but you may need a little assistance. And, honestly, you may also be tired of cleaning, cooking, laundry, and home repairs. Many assisted living communities offer services for personal care. They also may provide housekeeping, laundry, transportation, dining options, and 24 hour supervision. In addition, these communities may have other amenities such as exercise rooms, outdoor gardens, libraries, chapels, or internet access. Assisted living communities frequently base their costs by offering levels of care based on the amount of assistance that you need. Some assisted living communities will allow you to “age in place” meaning that you can remain there even as your health deteriorates. Sometimes, you may find a nursing home that has a dedicated area for assisted living. You should consider this option based on your medical needs, but also on your privacy and autonomy wants.

Nursing Home
When do you want a “Nursing Home?” You make this choice when your health needs require skilled medical professionals (like doctors and nurses) providing services and care on a daily basis. The emphasis in a nursing home is on medical care. Frequently, nursing homes also provide rehabilitation services, allowing for a short term or a long-term stay.

Other Options
There is a really lovely chain of islands throughout the Caribbean that are uninhabited. Choose one with a good coastline and lots of trees for shelter. For long term retirement, we strongly recommend a UVA/UVB full spectrum sunscreen in an SPF 30 or higher. Just a thought: learn to fish and gather before you go. Oh, and bring LOTS of your favorite beverage.

Armed with a few more pieces of information, you can be more prepared to decide whether your parents should move from their home to assisted care.

The routine that your parents have and their overall health will be important precursors to what level of assisted care they might need and how well they will make the transition. It is important to take an in-depth look at how they accomplish all the tasks required in a day: everything from cooking, to laundry, to driving, to paying bills. Your parents may be able to accomplish the automatic tasks that will reasonably get them through the day; it just might take them longer. However, there may be other signs that suggest that living independently at home might not be possible. Some families discover delinquent bills nestled in sock drawers while check books are in another part of the house. Some begin to notice that their parents clothe themselves in the same outfits each time they visit, yet the laundry detergent goes unopened. Some have even found pots and pans in the washing machine. The extent of the disruption of a regular routine can suggest the need for assisted living versus independent living. It can even suggest the onset of memory impairments that might require some additional assisted living needs.

Now, what about your parents’ health? When was the last time they saw their physician and for what condition? You might not be able to obtain this information from the physician due to privacy laws, but you can certainly get an overall sense of their health by exploring the medicine cabinet. How many medications are in there? What are they for? When are the expiration dates? Can your parents tell you what the medicine is, why they take it, how often, and what they do if they have a reaction to it? You can learn a lot by how specific (or not) the answers are to those questions. The determination of your parents’ health will give you the information to ask better questions about medication administration when visiting an assisted living community.

Finally, consider the type of support system that your parents’ currently have. Do they have friends with whom they visit or who regularly visit them? Are they active in their church? Do they have hobbies or activities that they enjoy? The answers to these questions will give you information to ask about activities, transportation, and social networks in an assisted living community.

So, you now have a wealth of information to begin your quest for an assisted living community that will match your parents’ needs. Now all you have to do is find it! HOW??? That comes next…