YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DEMENTIA CARE

Dementia is not a single disease; it’s a general term that describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities. Dementia is a group of conditions characterized by impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss, loss of language or communication skills, or impaired problem-solving or thinking abilities.

Yes. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease; dementia is not. A person can be living with dementia and not have Alzheimer’s disease. However, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, “accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases (alz.org).”

Dementia impacts every person differently, so signs can vary greatly. Changes in cognitive function could include:

• Memory loss (typically noticed by someone else)
• Difficulty communicating or finding words
• Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving
• Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
• Difficulty with planning and organizing
• Difficulty with coordination and motor functions
• Confusion and disorientation

Psychological changes can also occur, such as:

• Personality changes
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Agitation

Both assisted living communities, and dementia care communities offer supportive services to individuals, focusing on the activities of daily living (ADLs), meal preparation, medication management, and transportation. Basic ADLs include:

• Ambulating/Mobility: An individual’s ability to move from one position to another and walk independently.
• Feeding: The ability of a person to feed oneself.
• Dressing: The ability to select appropriate clothes and properly put the clothes on.
• Personal hygiene: The ability to bathe and groom oneself and maintain dental hygiene, nail, and hair care.
• Continence: The ability to control bladder and bowel function.
• Toileting: The ability to get to and from the toilet, use it appropriately, and clean oneself.

However, dementia care communities are specifically designed to support people living with dementia. This includes the design of communities (i.e., lighting, layout, etc.), safety and security measures, training for team members and caregivers, and activities and programs intended for individuals with memory impairment and limited cognitive functioning.

Whether vaccinated against COVID-19 or not, all staff and guests are asked to comply with our COVID-19 visitation policies. Because a person living with dementia cannot consistently comply with these same safeguards, we strongly encourage all residents to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, as advocates for those living with dementia, we recognize that they may not be able to consent to this decision alone. Therefore, we encourage each resident’s medical POA to make this determination in accordance with their understanding of their loved one’s wishes. For those who wish to have the vaccine and boosters, we will make it readily available.

Please click here to see our most recent COVID-19 Policy.

We understand that being able to visit your loved one is very important. At Bella Groves, we want you to be able to visit your loved one as often as possible while keeping everyone safe and healthy.

To do this, we are following the most updated visitation policy provided by Texas Health and Human Services. To view the most recent visitation policy, please click here.

Pets bring immense joy to people, and therefore, Bella Groves will be pet-friendly. All pets will be selected (adopted) by Bella Groves to ensure proper care and maintenance of the animals.

Although we wish we could open our doors to every resident’s personal pets, due to the intentionally cozy size of our homes, we cannot permit outside pets to “move-in” with residents. However, personal pets are permitted to visit the community as long as they meet the guidelines outlined in our resident handbook (housebroken, up-to-date shot records, and leashed).

Members are invoiced monthly and can pay by automatic debit (ACH) or credit card (with a small processing fee).

All Dementia Consulting Members are on a month-to-month agreement, and plans can be canceled with a 30-day notice.

Online payment methods are supported through the Learning Center.

All Learning Center memberships are month-to-month and can be canceled or reactivated at any time.