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Aging in Place With Vascular Dementia: How Skilled Nursing Helps

Skilled nursing care helps seniors with vascular dementia age in place, addressing challenges in memory and cognitive function for successful home living.
Skilled nursing care offers specialized medical support to seniors in their homes.
Skilled nursing care offers specialized medical support to seniors in their homes.

Many seniors prefer to age in place, which makes sense since it allows them to stay in a space that is familiar to them. However, aging in place presents unique problems for some seniors, especially those with vascular dementia, as the condition has an influence on memory, cognitive functioning, and the ability to complete everyday tasks. The good news is that skilled nursing care can help seniors dealing with this condition continue to age in place successfully.

 

Understanding Vascular Dementia and its Challenges

Vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, is caused by a reduction in blood supply to the brain, which can occur after a stroke or as a result of chronic disorders such as atherosclerosis. Symptoms vary depending on which area of the brain is damaged, but common ones include confusion, sluggish thinking, poor focus, and difficulties making decisions and solving problems.

Aging in place can be difficult for people with vascular dementia because they require constant supervision, personalized cognitive support, and medical treatment. Without these, seniors may be in danger of things like accidental injury or prescription errors, among others.

 

What is the Role of Skilled Nursing Care?

Skilled nursing care is intended to fulfill the complex needs of seniors with health problems, including those with cognitive disabilities such as vascular dementia. Here are a few ways that skilled nursing care allows seniors with vascular dementia to continue to age in place safely and comfortably:

 

Medication Management and Monitoring

Seniors with vascular dementia frequently take medications to treat coexisting health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol. Skilled nurses ensure that these medications are taken correctly, avoiding missed doses and monitoring for negative interactions.

Additionally, regular health checks performed by skilled nursing care help detect early signs of problems or cognitive deterioration, allowing for timely medical interventions.

 

Personalized Care Plans

Skilled nursing care creates a personalized care plan based on the senior’s individual needs. This could involve help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming, which can become challenging as cognitive abilities deteriorate.

In addition, they can introduce cognitive exercises and rehabilitation therapy to decrease the progression of vascular dementia and increase mental engagement.

 

24/7 Supervision and Safety Measures

Safety is a concern for seniors with vascular dementia, particularly when it comes to wandering. Skilled nurses provide monitoring to avoid wandering and can recommend home modifications that improve safety, such as installing grab bars in the bathroom to reduce the risk of falling.

 

Nutritional Support

A proper diet is essential for brain health and general well-being. However, preparing healthy meals might be difficult for seniors who are dealing with vascular dementia. Skilled nurses not only assist in the preparation of nutritional meals, but they also monitor food intake to avoid dehydration and malnutrition, both of which can increase dementia symptoms.

 

Emotional and Social Support

Isolation can negatively impact cognitive deterioration and mental wellbeing. With skilled nursing care by their side, seniors have built in companionship and support, providing them with a better sense of belonging and increasing their emotional well-being.

 

Skilled nursing care provides a lifeline to seniors with vascular dementia who want to continue aging in place as long as possible, as it promotes independence while also meeting the complex medical and emotional demands of seniors.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Skilled Nursing Care in Owings Mills, MD, please contact the caring staff at A+ Personal Home Care. Call (443) 660-8757, After Hours: (443) 796-5241

A+ Personal Home Care is a trusted home care agency serving the Baltimore and DC metro areas, with offices in Pikesville and Gaithersburg.

 

 

Sources:

Timur Yusufov

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