Dementia Treatments
in New Jersey
At Fox Trail Memory Care Living, we offer a wide range of luxurious amenities and support services to help residents with Dementia feel at home and give their families peace of mind. Discover the different types of Dementia treatment available to people in north and central New Jersey and Manhattan, NY, and what to expect from our devoted team.
About Dementia
Dementia refers to a group of neurological conditions that cause a decline in thinking, memory, and reasoning skills. The symptoms of Dementia can hinder your ability to recall information and make logical decisions. It also can impact your personality, mood, and behaviors. Currently, there is no cure for Dementia, but there are treatment options that can help make symptoms more manageable and allow you to maintain a fulfilling life.
The brain is made up of several distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions, such as memory, judgment, and movement. Dementia is the result of changes or damage in certain brain regions, causing nerve cells and their connections to stop working properly. Studies show about 5 to 8% of all people over the age of 65 have some form of Dementia and as many as half of people 85 years of age and older have Dementia.
The effects of Dementia reduce your brain’s ability to communicate with its various areas, leading to common symptoms. In its earliest stages, Dementia symptoms may include:
- Difficulty remembering recent events
- Repeating stories, comments, or questions
- Forgetting where items were left or placing them in unusual spots
- Not knowing the month, season, or year
- Having trouble finding the right words
- Experiencing a change in mood, behavior, or interest
Symptoms of Dementia in later stages may include:
- Inability to remember new information or make decisions
- Getting lost in familiar environments or neighborhoods
- Forgetting the names of close friends or relatives
- Experiencing hallucinations (seeing people or objects that aren’t there)
- Lessening of rational thinking and the ability to problem-solve
- Anxiety, frustration, confusion, depression, suspiciousness, or agitation
Researchers have verified several factors contributing to the likelihood of developing Dementia. Known risk factors of Dementia include:
- Age: Although it is not inevitable, the risk of Dementia increases as you age, especially once you reach the age of 65.
- Family history: If you have a family history of Dementia, you might have a greater risk of developing the condition.
- Previous brain injury: Traumatic brain injuries or blows to the head increase the risk of Dementia, especially if they are severe or occur repeatedly.
- Poor heart health: Conditions and behaviors that impact heart health, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity increase the risk of Dementia if not treated properly.
Dementia Treatment
While experts are still trying to find a cure for Dementia, several treatment approaches can help you manage symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. Available treatments depend on the type of Dementia but can include:
Person-Centered Memory Care
Person-centered care involves providing personalized support that meets your unique needs for Dementia care. Treatment plans are tailored to your interests, cognitive abilities, medical history, and personality.
At Fox Trail Memory Care Living, we approach memory care as a team. Our compassionate staff of experienced and highly trained individuals work together to provide comprehensive care for residents in a safe and welcoming community environment. Our communities feature common areas where residents are encouraged to gather and make meaningful connections with their peers and the staff. At the end of the day, you can retreat to your private living quarters for peace and quiet.
Our memory care communities are designed to help residents with Dementia manage symptoms and lead enjoyable lives. Wellness and lifestyle programs enrich the lives of our residents and round-the-clock support from a caring Dementia-certified staff ensures they are always in the best hands.
Medications
There are many types of medications that can help treat Dementia symptoms, including:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors: These drugs increase levels of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that helps nerve cells communicate. They are often prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease but may also be used for other types of Dementia.
- Glutamate regulators: These drugs regulate glutamate, another chemical messenger involved in memory and learning.
- Intravenous (IV) infusions: Drugs are given as IV infusions every two weeks and four weeks, respectively, to reduce brain amyloid and slow memory decline.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These drugs are commonly prescribed to treat mood symptoms in people with Dementia. They may help reduce aggressive impulses and improve mood.
Medications for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
It’s common for people with advanced Dementia to display sporadic behavior. This is known as the behavioral and psychological symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). Symptoms of BPSD can include:
- Aggression
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Increased agitation
- Wandering
You may be prescribed medication to limit these uncharacteristic acts.
Therapies
Several therapies and alternative remedies are available to help people with Dementia, including:
- Cognitive stimulation therapy:Activities and exercises that involve strengthening the brain’s ability to think and solve problems may benefit you. These can include group exercises, physical games, word games, and puzzles.
- Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists teach coping behaviors and demonstrate how to improve the ability to complete daily tasks, such as getting dressed. This therapy can also help make the home safer to help prevent falls and other accidents.
- Speech and language therapy:This can help improve communication problems that often limit people living with Dementia.
- Pet therapy:This type of therapy can include visits from dogs or other animals to improve mood and behavior.
- Music therapy: Soothing music and sounds can help improve mood and relaxation.
Other approaches to treating Dementia involve reducing clutter and noise to make it easier for you to focus and function. This can include removing items that might threaten safety, such as knives and car keys.
Tour Our Memory Care Communities Today
Living with Dementia presents unique challenges for families and loved ones. Since it is a progressive disorder that worsens over time, families must consider suitable long-term care. The urge to keep your loved one at home is understandable, but you might quickly realize the extensive commitment this requires.
Fox Trail Memory Care Living ensures your family is not in this alone. We provide professional Dementia care in our communities in northern and central New Jersey. Our services involve working with top-tier medical professionals to ensure residents are properly cared for, giving families peace of mind. To learn more about our offerings and approach to Dementia treatment, contact us today. When speaking with a team member, ask about scheduling a tour of our communities to see our inviting, safe, and beneficial spaces firsthand.