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Dementia Care in Athens GA
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Dementia Care in Athens GA
Haven Memory Care stands as a beacon of hope and comfort for famlies navigating the complex path of dementia care in Athens GA. We are a private pay memory care community that provides our residents with a supportive, loving environment while offering comprehensive memory care services to ensure their utmost comfort and safety. We provide and believe in “aging in place” care in most cases as long as medical conditions permit. Contact us today to learn about our support options available for your loved one.
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Dementia Care Plans
At Haven Memory Care, our philosophy is to provide person-centered care to our residents. We understand that every individual living with dementia has unique needs, strengths, and preferences, which form the basis of our tailor-made care plans.
Our ADLs (Active Daily Living) care plans are reviewed after 30 days of initial move-in, then every 90 days to ensure that your loved one receives the best support for where they are in their journey. Each plan of care is designed specifically for the patient depending on the stage of dementia they are experiencing.
Fast Scale Stages
Healthcare professionals utilize an all-inclusive instrument, the FAST (Functional Assessment Staging Tool), to evaluate the seven stages of dementia in aging individuals. Recognized for its reliability, FAST provides our care partners and medical experts with a framework to gauge the progression rate of Alzheimers in our residents and anticipate the symptoms associated with each stage. For non-Alzheimers dementia, the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is used to masure your loved ones thinking ability or cognitive impairment.
The Seven Stages of Dementia
Many people who are diagnosed with dementia aren’t usually diagnosed until stage 3. This is the exact place where Haven Memory Care can help. We come alongside your family to deliver expert care. There comes a point in time where even family members that may be dementia specialists need to step aside and let others provide the professional care for the diagnosed family member.
It is at that point the family members can return to being a spouse or adult child or any other family member rather than the care partner. This balance is critical for the health of everyone involved with this diagnosis. Our community is exclusively different from all other care centers in the area since we focus our care on those dealing with the different forms of dementia exclusively.
- Stage 1: No cognitive or functional impairment
- Stage 2: Early functional modifications
- Stage 3: Modest functional impairment
- Stage 4: Moderate functional impairment
- Stage 5: Moderately severe loss of function
- Stage 6: Severely diminished loss of function
- Stage 7: Total dependent
Support for All Forms of Dementia in Athens GA
Haven Memory Care provides long-term care for all of the following forms of dementia. Of all memory-related illnesses, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language and can significantly impact a loved one’s ability to carry out daily activities.
Frontotemporal Dementia
The third most common form of dementia is classified as Frontotemporal or FTD. This form of dementia is the result of nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes or its temporal lobes. The frontal lobes are located behind the forehead and the temporal lobes are located behind the ears. There’s a lot to be said about this form of dementia, too much to cover in this paragraph adequately. The Alzheimer’s Association is an excellent source for detailed information regarding this disease. Symptoms to look for involve speech as well as motor function. This form of dementia is more common with younger ages starting at 45. Whereas we’re use to seeing the other dementias later after the 60’s. Early loss of speech and muscular issues associated with nerve damage and muscle mass loss are the distinguishing features of this disease.
Lewy Body Dementia
LBD, a complex condition affecting thinking, behavior, movement, mood, and physical abilities, requires specialized care and a deep understanding of the symptoms and progressions of the disease. It is caused by abnormal deposits of alpha-synuclein, a protein, in the brain. It is now the second most common form of dementia according to an August 2023 release and a June 2nd Mayo Clinic release.
Vascular Dementia
The second most common form of dementia is a broader area classified as Vascular Dementia. As the name implies, the root cause is a deficiency in carrying properly oxygenated blood as well as nutrients to the brain. Commonly, the root cause may be heart disease or stroke. The main idea being the brain isn’t receiving the necessary volume of oxygenated blood to the brain. Common symptoms may include issues with communication, site, memory, reasoning, and problem solving. Daily tasks may become more difficult as well as the ability to pick the appropriate word when communicating. With some forms of dementia old memories are still accessible, however it may be evident that older memories are lost with this form of dementia. The causes of this form are different than that of the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s. Vascular dementia progresses differently from Alzheimer’s as well. The “FAST” scale associated with Alzheimer’s may appear similar to the symptoms of those with someone with vascular dementia but should not be used to gage the progression of vascular dementia. Feel free to talk with our staff to learn more about this type of dementia.
Mixed Dementia
There may be a sound argument for mixed dementia being the most common form of dementia. Mixed dementia simply it says the name applies it is a variety of dementia diseases. The Alzheimer’s Association defines mixed dementia as “a condition in which brain changes of more than one cause of dementia occur simultaneously”. As with Alzheimer’s the protein deposits in the brain and the associated Tau proteins can be and mostly like are present. Symptoms of this type of course would include the symptoms of all the categories of dementia. These type diagnosis are mostly done at autopsy, which as you can imagine is rare. As with all forms of dementia mixed is a terminal disease for which there is no cure. Symptom management currently is the only known treatment for dementia. However, since the summer of 2023 there have been some very promising drugs that are in trials that prevent the protein tangles associated with Alzheimer’s from growing. Not curing the disease but stopping its growth. Couple this with early detection and the future is much more promising than before. It would not be surprising to see a cure, in the sense the disease would not grow, within the next ten years as it relates to Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s
Vascular dementia is the second-leading type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. This type of dementia is characterized by problems with reasoning, judgment, memory, and other thought processes and in most cases is caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain.
Frontotemporal Dementia
The third most common form of dementia is classified as Frontotemporal or FTD. This form of dementia is the result of nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes or its temporal lobes. The frontal lobes are located behind the forehead and the temporal lobes are located behind the ears. There’s a lot to be said about this form of dementia, too much to cover in this paragraph adequately. The Alzheimer’s Association is an excellent source for detailed information regarding this disease. Symptoms to look for involve speech as well as motor function. This form of dementia is more common with younger ages starting at 45. Whereas we’re use to seeing the other dementias later after the 60’s. Early loss of speech and muscular issues associated with nerve damage and muscle mass loss are the distinguishing features of this disease.
Lewy Body Dementia
LBD, a complex condition affecting thinking, behavior, movement, mood, and physical abilities, requires specialized care and a deep understanding of the symptoms and progressions of the disease. It is caused by abnormal deposits of alpha-synuclein, a protein, in the brain. It is now the second most common form of dementia according to an August 2023 release and a June 2nd Mayo Clinic release.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is the second-leading type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. This type of dementia is characterized by problems with reasoning, judgment, memory, and other thought processes and in most cases is caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain.
Mixed Dementia
Mixed dementia is a type of dementia that involves a combination of different underlying causes. It occurs when an individual has more than one type of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, simultaneously. Mixed dementia is a complex condition that presents unique challenges for both patients and their caregivers.
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language and can significantly impact a loved one’s ability to carry out daily activities.
Frontotemporal Dementia
This form of dementia is a group of disorders associated by the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas house personality, behavior, and language and as they degenerate, these aspects of cognition are affected.
Lewy Body Dementia
LBD, a complex condition affecting thinking, behavior, movement, mood, and physical abilities, requires specialized care and a deep understanding of the symptoms and progressions of the disease. It is caused by abnormal deposits of alpha-synuclein, a protein, in the brain. It is now the second most common form of dementia according to an August 2023 release and a June 2nd Mayo Clinic release.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is the second-leading type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. This type of dementia is characterized by problems with reasoning, judgment, memory, and other thought processes and in most cases is caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain.
Mixed Dementia
Mixed dementia is a type of dementia that involves a combination of different underlying causes. It occurs when an individual has more than one type of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, simultaneously. Mixed dementia is a complex condition that presents unique challenges for both patients and their caregivers.
Our Process in Athens GA
We start by understanding the story of our residents, by gathering information from the family in a formal discovery session with a licensed RN and a certified dementia practitioner which enables us to provide care that respects and honors their individuality. Our compassionate team of professionals is trained in the latest dementia care practices and techniques to create positive experiences that promote cognitive functioning, boost self-esteem, and enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. Our treatment and care are up to date with a dedicated treatment research team constantly reviewing research and peer treatment.
Surrounded by 11 acres of hardwoods and the natural beauty of Athens, GA, our community integrates design elements that are purposefully crafted to support the unique needs of those with dementia. Our secure community is architecturally designed by a specialized memory care architect to be easy to navigate and features calm, soothing colors and plenty of natural light. Each element contributes to creating a serene, comfortable environment that makes our residents feel at home.
Activities for Our Residents in Athens GA
Our commitment to the well-being of our residents doesn’t stop with just physical comforts. We provide a range of therapeutic activities designed to engage our residents in ways that are meaningful to them. Our engagement programs include music and art therapy, horticulture activities, and cognitive exercises.
These initiatives are intended to stimulate the senses, evoke memories, promote social interaction, and maintain the cognitive abilities of our residents.
At Haven Memory Care in Athens GA, we also understand the emotional toll dementia can take on families. That’s why we offer resources and support for families and care partners. Our team provides regular updates on the health and well-being of your loved ones, creating a collaborative environment that keeps families involved and informed. We utilize a web-based medical record system that is accessible to family members with authorization 24 hours a day.
Amenities Offered in Athens GA
- Studio & semi-private rooms with private bath
- Rooms are wheelchair accessible & include personal heat & air controls
- Three nutritious meals plus unlimited snacks each day
- Housekeeping & laundry services
- Medication supervision
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, & daily activities
- Compassionate on-site medical staff including nurse 24 hour a day
- Regularly scheduled activities specifically designed for each resident’s stage of their diagnosis
- Facility security system with keyless entry system
- Safe, comfortable environment
- Utilities and cable included
- Spa room
- Salon
- Hospice rooms
- Aging in place
- Private family living room
Medical Support We Offer
Ensuring the physical health of our residents is a top priority at Haven Memory Care. Our highly skilled on-site medical team regularly monitors the health of each resident and is quick to respond to any immediate healthcare needs. We offer regular health checks, medication management, and 24-hour assistance, providing peace of mind to families knowing their loved ones are in capable, caring hands. A licensed RN provides continuous care management to each resident for coordination of clinical symptoms management.
Moreover, we collaborate with renowned dementia care research and training institutions. We are constantly enhancing our knowledge, methods, and tools to deliver the best possible care based on the latest scientific advancements. In fact, our team is comprised of healthcare professionals who are specifically trained to meet the needs of those living with dementia.
Choosing a memory care community for a loved one is a crucial decision, filled with emotion and concern. At Haven Memory Care, we are committed to easing this journey by providing a nurturing environment where your loved one will be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. It is common for loved ones to feel anticipatory grief and a sense of abandonment, however the demands of this disease require professional help. Four out of five families become victims of this disease by damaging family relationships due to the strain caused by this disease.
Many of our staff have seen the effects of dementia within their own family and understand the level of care required from personal experience. There comes a time when you need to go back to being family and let our care team provide the care this very demanding disease requires. Failing your diagnosed loved one can only occur when you don’t do the most you are able to do for them. Let us provide the care and you focus on providing the love.
Learn More about fast scale stages
Content provided by Dr. Barry Reisler, MD, 1984.
Haven Memory Care is a dedicated memory care community serving NE Georgia, including the towns of Braselton and Greensboro. With a focus on individuals experiencing memory diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, Haven Memory Care provides a safe and supportive environment for residents.
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