Dementia is a disease that encompasses a variety of brain problems. Symptoms may include loss of judgment and thinking, as well as memory loss associated with various moods and behaviors. The function of the brain is impaired in such a way that it is difficult for the individual to engage with others because they are unable to perform at work, be in relationships, or provide daily services. On average, most people affected by this condition are over the age of 65, but the prevalence age rate rises to one in every two seniors over the age of 90 (Levin & Cisek, 2015). As known, the Alzheimer disease is the common form of dementia, and it affects individuals who have family backgrounds particularly when they age.
The care for Dementia in U.S.A
The United States has two primary long-term care that are available for individuals and seniors with dementia. In normal circumstances, they are offered assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facility (also known as nursing homes). The assisted living facility involves the continuous care in a retirement community particularly for individuals who are diagnosed with the earlier stages of dementia and Alzheimer disease. Those who don't have medical problems but need intensive support for daily living activities are also offered daily services to improve their quality of life as well as their day to day activities.
The U.S.A, in this case, developed the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living to construct and maintain individuals with dementia. The IADL considered the following tasks for the affected people: Managing their financial life through the writing of checks, cash handling and maintaining their budget (Manthorpe, 2013). When it comes to the medication, they make sure they give an appropriate dose of medicines at the right time. The IADL system also prepares meals or snacks for the old because of their inability of normal functioning. Nevertheless, housekeeping services are provided to these people by performing cumbersome and light chores such as mowing or dusting the houses.
For faster and reliable services, the IADL has established communication and entertainment facilities such as telephone, and television to ease the lives of the affected (Morrow, 2015). Lastly, the service ensures that they shop for the old as well as offering extra-curricular activities such as leisure activities and maintaining the hobby of the sick. Despite the fact that people with dementia can manage to perform household tasks independently, they usually pass through difficulties that need additional assistance. However, with time, their performance often change, and that's where the idea of taking care of the loved ones comes in handy. In this way, when people who are affected by dementia are taken to the physician, to be advised the type of care that can be offered as well as to understand the progress of the disease.
Skilled nursing homes in the U.S.A
The nursing homes are facilities that give extensive medical care to individuals who are diagnosed with dementia but at later stages or those that have severe challenges when it comes to their health and their daily living activities. The nursing home then offers the best care for people because they usually consider the long-term care for people with dementia. The facility also provides constant supervision for individuals that are unable to work as well as wandering for their behaviors. They also facilitate nursing services to people who show signs of endangering their lives either because of their actions or behavior. Nevertheless, they also take care of their patients by keeping them hydrated, nourished and healthy. Lastly, the nursing home carries out activities for the patients that are unable to perform their daily activities.
Long-Term care of dementia in Canada
Canada's way of caring for people with dementia is through independent living communities that are solely designed for active seniors that are healthy but do not need to be assisted with their day-to-day activities such as personal care, grooming and eating (Brewer & Talbot, 2015). Independent living for the old could also be put in the form of luxury communities that have golf courses, gourmet dining and have restricted age facilities like the condominium complexes for the elderly. These communities are usually private paid particularly when they offer additional services like meals, laundry, and housekeeping.
Assisted living services in Canada
The assisted living communities provided in Canada show care to seniors as well as supportive housing which offer daily task assistance particularly for individuals who require less skilled care services. The living communities also have viable options for independent adults who may need daily living assistance or anticipated help in the near future. The assisted living communities come in different shapes and sizes. For instance, they offer towering apartment buildings that are located in sprawling complexes, urban centers, and in suburbs communities (Lehman, 2015).
Relatively speaking, they also provide catering services to a smaller number of residents that are found in the Canadian sites. Residents who live in two bedrooms private apartment, bachelors or studio units also benefit from meal-services because the assisted living facilities offer units that have full kitchens. Canada also has cost assisted living that often has a flat rate charge but has many essential services. Special services, however, come with additional fees.
Conclusion
In summation, both countries have different ways of caring for people with dementia. For instance, despite the fact that both offer housing facilities, Canada tends to have cost services that are meant people who value leisure. Still, both countries take care of the diagnosed individuals with special care.
References
Cisek, E., & Levine, J. (2015). Palliative care for people with dementia in long-term care. Alzheimers & Dementia, 11(7). doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2015.06.779
Katherine Lehman. (2016). The adaptive Services for Elderly People and Caregivers In 'Assisted Living' Homes. Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics, 44(1). doi: 10.5220/0001535901810186
Manthorpe, G. (2013). Two books on dementia care: Risk Assessment and management for living well with dementia, and Key issues in evolving dementia care. International Journal of Integrated Care, 13(2). doi:10.5334/ijic.1164
Morrow, S. (2015). Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. American Journal of Nursing, 99(1). doi: 10.1097/00000446-199901000-00026
Talbot, R., & Brewer, G. (2015). Care assistant experiences of dementia care in long-term nursing and residential care environments. Dementia, 15(6), 1737-1754. doi: 10.1177/1471301215576416
