Memory Care is the Best Solution for Long-Term Treatment for Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Your loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and you have been a voluntary loving caregiver. Now the day has come when it is time for your loved one to leave home. While there are many nursing homes that will take in people suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, not all of them have a unique therapeutic program geared just for dementia that is separate from the rest of the care center. This is usually called Memory Care or Memory Impaired Care.

Memory Impaired Care Unit at Royal Suites

The Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation located on eight beautiful wooded acres in Galloway Township, New Jersey, maintains a special Memory Impaired Unit, which is a separate and unique treatment area just for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. They offer therapeutic care treatments especially designed to help those stricken with dementia to make the most out of their cognitive functioning ability. A dynamic program of all kinds of activities to foster socialization and enjoyment will make your loved one feel good and less agitated. This separation from the rest of the residents at Royal Suites also helps keep seniors suffering with Alzheimer’s from wandering off. About 60% of people with dementia wander and many of them get lost.

The Snoezelen Room

Royal Suites is also set up to treat those in an advanced state of dementia in a special Snoezelen Room, which is a controlled multisensory environment (MSE). Here they offer unique audiovisual treatments and music to stimulate the senses like serene pastoral scenes from nature and aroma therapy. The Snoezelen room was originally developed in Holland and today is very popular in Germany.

Aroma Therapy

Aroma therapy, has been scientifically proven to have calming beneficial effects on those suffering from dementia and is also used to combat behavioral and psychological problems like sundowning, agitation, mood swings and sleep disturbances. Best of all, there are no dangerous medical side effects associated with the proper use of aromatherapy compared to those that may occur with the use of anti-psychotic and other pharmacological drugs.

Ways to Administer Aroma Therapy

Drops of Essential oil in Heated Water

Aromatherapy makes use of drops of various essential herbal and plant oils that are placed in a small container of water that is heated by a candle. As the candle heats up the water, the wonderful fragrances of these oils are released and permeate the room.

Skin Patch

A few drops of essential oil are put on a special patch developed by Bioesse Technologies that can be placed on the skin, or on hospital gowns or bedding. The aromatic vapors released are inhaled by normal breathing by the dementia patient.

Some of these healing aromatic fragrances that have been found to have a calming effect on dementia and Alzheimer’s patients are:

For Agitation, Sundowning, Anxiety and other Behavior Problems

• Lavender
• Labdanum – Gum Rockrose
• Sweet Orange
• Eucalyptus
• Basil
• Marjoram
• Geranium
• Bergamot
• Valerian
• Angelica and more.

For Memory Loss

• Rosemary
• Peppermint

For Insomnia

• Chamomile
• Lemon
• Juniper
• Myrtle
• Melissa – Lemon Balm
• Lavender
• Basil
• Thyme
• Valerian and more.

Psychiatric Symptoms

• Frankincense and Myrrh

Please see a list of more essential oils and their uses in senior care.

Caution: Essential Oils are extremely potent and many are poisonous if they are taken by mouth. They are only meant to be used in aromatherapy.  

More about Royal Suites

Although Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation is surrounded by beautiful woods, they still are close to five pharmacies, health centers like the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation, shopping centers and houses of worship. Acute care hospitals that are close by are: The Shore Medical Center and The Atlanticare Regional Medical Center.

Conclusion

When seeking a long-term care facility for your loved one suffering from dementia, make sure that it has a separate memory care unit, so that your loved one will not only get the best of care, but will also be monitored against wandering off and getting lost.