Memory loss is a dehabilitating condition which affects more than 5 million Americans and is especially prevalent among the elderly. Older adults who suffer from memory loss may experience mood swings, disorientation and confusion. Ordinary tasks such as bathing, cooking and cleaning can eventually become overwhelming. People with memory loss or dementia — which is often caused by Alzheimer’s disease — may become lost in their own homes or neighborhoods, or have trouble recognizing longtime friends and family members. Memory loss can be frustrating and emotionally devastating for everyone involved.

The unique needs of people with severe memory loss are difficult for many treatment facilities to accommodate. Nursing homes and assisted living centers often lack the security and monitoring to ensure the safety of dementia patients. Assisted living facilities are adequate for patients with mild symptoms of memory loss, and nursing homes have the structure, programs and personnel to help patients with more moderate cases of dementia.
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What? Me? Move? Why?
Senior Communities Aren’t “Just for Old Folks”
“So, why the heck would I be interested in moving from my current home into senior housing?” “I can’t afford that!” “I have lived here this long, I don’t need to change anything.”
Do these objections sound familiar? Have you heard these from someone you love? Do you need to convince someone that a move may be a good thing? Now, these are all very good questions, but there are also some very good reasons why a move to a senior community might not only be a good idea but perhaps a great one. Perhaps this discussion will help.
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WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL?
In California, nursing homes are considered health care facilities and as such are licensed and scrutinized by the California Department of Health Services. As medical facilities they are allowed to provide services that cannot be dispensed in assisted living or board and care homes. Typically these services involve managing complex and potentially serious medical problems such as infections, wound care, IV therapy, and coma care. They offer both short and long term care options for those with serious problems and disabilities such quadriplegics, MS patients, ALS patients and others who are bedridden and are unable to do anything on their own.
Nursing homes also provide a host of rehabilitation services that are typically utilized on a short-term basis after a hospitalization for injury or illness. Patients can receive almost any kind of rehabilitative therapy in nursing homes these days, most of which will be covered, in whole or part, by Medicare or Medicare HMO’s, with the requirement that there is hospitalization for 3 days prior to a discharge to a nursing home. However, the implementation of the Prospective Payment System limits payments to nursing homes and allows them to choose who they admit.
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A TALK FROM THE PAST VALID TODAY

THIS IS AN INFORMATIVE ARTICLE FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BY NATASHA SINGER ON 2/6/2011 CLICK ON THIS LINK