LAS VEGAS: Dementia care providers are deeply divided over care delivery methodologies.
Existing seniors housing providers are attempting to reinforce their hegemony in the sector by either ramping up development of stand-alone memory care models, expanding existing facilities or building new ones to add memory care to existing senior housing communities.
Others are choosing to ape the Dutch Retro Community (Hogeway), but are all caught up in a care timewarp. The care models are changing rapidly and most providers, despite their best intentions are the “institutionalisers” of the 21st century, ruling via restraint and chemical coshing.
Despite the existence of enlightened providers, the vast majority of dementia minders rely on four walls and locked doors.
Here are 10 views and/or methodologies:
4. Heading off memory loss
Just as the medical aspects of memory care may become more fine-tuned, providers also will likely develop more effective and rigorous lifestyle programs to slow the development of dementia.
The biggest change in the last 10 years is the understanding of the disease as having a long preclinical phase. There are interventions that can modify when you develop the disease, and that’s a huge game-changer. There will be more and more of a focus on these healthy lifestyle factors.
Researchers already have produced evidence that these types of interventions can help combat dementia…