Local assisted living facility offers advice for dementia caregivers

June 13, 2012 - PRLog -- LARGO, Fla. - In Florida, there are more than 450,000 people battling some form of dementia and that number is expected to grow by another 140,000 in the next 12 years. That is why Grand Villa of Largo (http://www.largoseniorliving.com), an assisted living and advanced memory care community, is taking time to educate caregivers and the community about this disease.

“Dementia is one of the world’s fastest growing diseases, with 24 million people currently diagnosed and that number expected to jump to 84 million by 2040,” says Larry Prescott, executive director of Grand Villa.

According to a March 2012 report from the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for a person with dementia, with most of them being family caring for an aging parent or loved one. Although rewarding, it can often be quite stressful. Studies have shown, for example, that caring for someone with a brain-impairing disorder can be more stressful than caring for someone with a physical impairment.

“This is why it is important for caregivers to find time to take a break from their responsibilities to recharge both physically and emotionally,” says Prescott. “Many assisted living facilities offer respite programs that allow caregivers to drop off their loved one for a few hours or a few days.”

Support is also important, adds Prescott. Help from other family members, friends and even community agencies can be an invaluable tool to help caregivers continue to provide adequate care. It may also be a good idea to seek out caregiver support groups.

“Families have to do what is best for them, whether that is caring for their loved ones at home or considering an assisted living community,” says Prescott. “While an assisted living facility is common for individuals in the later stages of dementia, every family has to approach the caregiving experience in a way that works best for them.”

About Grand Villa of Largo
Grand Villa of Largo (http://www.largoseniorliving.com) is an assisted living and Alzheimer’s care residential community in Largo, Fla. The community offers one bedroom and studio apartments, 24-hour staffing and amenities such as a café, beauty salon and barber shop, billiards parlor, library and a private dining room. For those who are not ready for full-time residency, Grand Villa of Largo offers a senior day program, short-term stays, respite care and a dusk to dawn overnight program.

About Senior Management Advisors, Inc.
Senior Management Advisors (SMA) (www.seniormanagementadvisors.com) is a leading operator of full service independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer’s care residential communities in Florida and Georgia. SMA specializes in rejuvenating and stabilizing senior living communities for owners, financial institutions, private investors and government agencies. SMA’s services include consultation, management, development and renovation of residential communities.