Briarcliffe Gardens

When help seems out of reach, visit them today at www.briarcliffegardens.com

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            If there is anything we have learned during the time of the Pandemic of 2020, it is how much we cherish our loved ones, and how much we value good health.  We have learned that time is fleeting, and that tomorrows are not promised.  We have learned that relationships matter more than possessions, and that no gift is greater than peace of mind, and a strong body.

            We have also learned that life is full of difficult decisions ~ ones that may be stressful to make, but which ironically, also bring us relief from stress.  One such decision – often made when everything around us seems out of our control – is one that involves the care of an aging loved one.  Caring for a family member who is living with advancing memory loss, whether from the natural process of aging or by progressive conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, is especially challenging, even in the best of times.

            Coming to the emotionally charged decision to move a loved one into a Memory Care Assisted Living residence is fraught with questions, second guesses, anxiety, and guilt.  One asks, “Is the timing right?”  “Can’t I manage her at home? “Am I abandoning my parent?”  “Am I doing the right thing?”

            While caregivers may feel very alone as they contemplate the answers to these questions, this is a hardship that many face.  Here are some signs that might help a caregiver decide if it is time to explore a more supervised setting for their loved one:

  • “Is my friend or family member no longer safe at home, alone?
  • Do they require assistance with medication or with personal care such as eating, bathing, dressing, or bathrooming?
  • Are they confused or feeling threatened by the presence of non-family or other caregivers?
  • Do they resist help with personal care or display anxiety, confusion, or forgetfulness?
  • Are they able to manage personal finances?
  • Have they lost interest in hobbies and everyday tasks, and in socializing with family or friends?”

            Alzheimer’s Disease is often called the Caregiver’s Disease because of the great toll that it can take on caregivers. Caregivers must also ask themselves some important questions:

“Do I feel overwhelmed? Is my sleep interrupted with worry? Am I working or socializing less in order to provide care? Do I have any time to spend on my own health and interests?”

            If you see yourself in any of these scenarios, you are not alone.  But help is out there, and for many, that help is merely a phone call and a virtual tour away!

            It is times like these when the support and resources of a memory care assisted-living residence such as Briarcliffe Gardens become so important.  This established, state-of-the-art residence in Johnston provides a compassionate home where memory-loss residents can still live fulfilling, vibrant and active lives. 

To learn more, take a virtual tour of Briarcliffe Gardens by visiting their website at www.briarcliffegardens.com or call Stefany Reed at 401-944-2450 for more information.   

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