Alzheimer's & Dementia

 Demential is a general term (not a diagnosis) for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
 Alzheimer's is the most common form of Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. It is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and cognitive decline serious enough to interfere with daily life. It's also, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the 6th top cause of death in the United States. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. 

Getting an early diagnosis greatly increases you opportunity of various treatment options. Staying active, eating a healthy diet and staying socially connected are all shown to help in decreasing your risk.

It's a frightening diagnosis that can stop you in your tracks in fear but early diagnosis is paramount. Speak with your General Practictioner and seek an appointment with a neurologist or physician that specializes in Dementia. Below are listed a few diagnostic centers as well as resources for the caregiver and person with dementia. There are ways to slow the process, educate yourself on what is available. Speak with your family and have a physicians directive in place and that your family know what your wishes are. 

WHAT IS MEMORY CARE? 
Memory care is residential, long term care intended for individuals with memory impairments such as Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The environment is designed to be safe and secure for seniors with memory challenges, and residents receive daily assistance with personal care from staff trained to help patients with memory loss. Activities intended to improve cognitive function and opportunities to socialize with others are also offered to memory care residents. Memory care may be provided within special units of assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, or nursing homes. There are also facilities dedicated solely to memory care. 
 Senior Homes can help in finding the best location for you, answer questions on what Medicare covers and what services are available. Their website is seniorhomes.com and their phone number is 1-844-759-0108. 

HOW MUCH DOES MEMORY CARE COST? 
Memory care generally costs more than assisted living, yet less than nursing home care. While many memory care facilities do not publicize their costs, experts have calculated that memory care expenses are anywhere from 20% to 30% more than assisted living due to the extra included services and fees. For this reason, Senior Homes, calculated memory care costs as 25% more than the rates for assisted living. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey national median cost for memory care would be approximately 25% more than this, or approximately $5,625 a month depending on your State and level of care. 

RESOURCES:
Neurological disorders like Alzheimer's can negatively impact eyesight, causing many seniors to lose vision as they age. To help seniors and those caring for them, we have two pages discussing Senior Vision and Alzheimer's Impact on Vision.

Please take a look:
nvisioncenters.com/neurological-disorders/#Alzheimer
nvisioncenters.com/education/seniors-vision-guide/
https://local.seniorhomes.com/g-assisted-living-near-me

Resources and understanding what is available to the Disabled, Veterans and Senior Citizens looks at; Paying For Alzheimer's Care: Financial Help, Costs & Care Options (payingforseniorcare.com) or you can reach them at 1-855-481-6777, they can assist with State specific benefits and resources as well as benefits available to Veterans. Veterans may also reach the Collin County Veteran Service Officer at 972-881-3060
 https://texvet.org/resources/collin-county-veterans-services-office

Does your loved one qualify for assisted living and what are the laws regarding assisted living? 
check out the website below for more information. 
https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/memory-care/texas

Dementia is a term that encompasses multiple memory issues. 
Talk with a Dementia Expert Now
24/7 Helpline
800.272.3900
Dallas Alzheimer Association
800-272-3900
DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS
Baylor University, ATT Memory Center-Memory Center at Dallas
3500 Gaston Avenue
Dallas, TX 75246
214-818-5765
University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center (ADC)
5323 Harr Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390
214-648-9376

ADULT DAY CARE-
Keep your loved ones active, give them a routine and yourself a break either daily while you're at  work or occassionally while you run errands or just need some time to yourself.

Friends Place Adult Day Services, Inc.-This is a great service that can give the caregiver a few hours or a day to run errands or self-care. You can enroll for 5 days a week or for a day. 
http://www.friendsplaceads.com
1960 Nantucket  Drive
Richardson, TX 85080
972-437-2940

Casa de Vida-Is part of Northpark Presbyterian Church but all are welcome. Casa de Vida is a respite program for the caregiver of a loved one diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer's, being cared for at home. Casa de Vida provides four hours of respite on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for individuals caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or related dementia who live at home. Open to persons of all faiths, races and ethnicities, Casa de Vida offers a breather to the caregiver, an opportunity to run errands, visit friends, shop, or just go home for a quiet time. Currently enrolling for Spring. To learn more about Casa de Vida, please contact Ellen Mata, Director of Missions and Older Adult Programs.

9555 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75231
214-363-5457
www.northparkpres.org/northpark-outreach/northpark-missions

Encore Adult Daily Enrichment Center of Plano Encore is focused on providing specialized programs for people with Alzheimer’s or other related Dementia diseases. We advise that you come for the first time without your loved one, if possible. That way you can look over our facility and determine for yourself if you think that your loved one would be comfortable here.If you like what you see, we can sit down together and create a strategy to help with your loved one. If we determine that our center will not be a good fit, we can still help you. We can offer advice on techniques that may help you with them at home, or suggest another place where they may fit better. A strategy you can use to help you with your loved one, at home or elsewhere!

6505 W Park Blvd, Ste 116
Plano, TX 75093
972-428-5400
www.encoredaycare.com

Wellness Center for Older Adults, Plano Texas

We serve older adults, 55 years of age and older, and their caregivers in Collin County and surrounding areas. We are based in the Plano Senior Recreation Center and also provide services at various locations across the county and in senior / community centers where seniors live and gather for activities. Our work and passion is to assist older adults in healthy and independent living allowing seniors to age in place gracefully. The Wellness Center provides a variety of services and programs designed to serve the needs and concerns of both seniors and their caregivers. These services are built around three pillars; health, counseling and social services. 

Social Workers on staff at the Wellness Center help identify and assist the seniors that are "at-risk".  In working with other community partners, the social workers help address housing issues, hoarding, code violations, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, transportation and a variety of other services.
Health-A variety of health services, including blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, toenail and fingernail clipping, ear cleaning, and Blood lab testing are offered by the Wellness Center for Older Adults aged 55 and over. Durable Medical Equipment is also available by a no-charge loan program. Many of these services are free or a low cost to help cover medical supplies.
Counseling-We provide free counseling services to seniors and caregivers.  Counseling services are offered as individual sessions, and caregiver counseling is both individual and support group structure. Counseling can be both group support and one on one. All counseling is provided by a license therapist. 

​Sam Johnson Recreation Center
401 W. 16th Steet
Plano, Texas 
972-953-7669
https://www.wellnesscenteronline.org

HOME HEALTH SERVICES
Glad Home Health Care
 600 Hanover Dr
Allen, TX 75002
214-383-5815

Pristine Home Health Services Inc.
 3913 Rockwood Dr
Plano, TX 75074
972-881-5551