Mountain View is a dementia specific program that assists dementia patients who need more care than caregivers are able to manage at home. Personalized care programs are offered to residents that include hygiene, physical activities, healthy diets and social stimulation. 

What is a MemoryA memory care home provides 24 hour assistance for residents with dementia Care Home? focused needs, such as Alzheimer’s. MVMC provides a wide range of care tailored to our residents with memory care needs. Care includes: medication management, showering, toileting, transferring, activities, dementia family support and in house options for personal care physicians, pharmacies, physical therapy, home health and more.

Dementia is not a disease. Dementia refers to loss of cognitive abilities. We see that in our residents through behavior and language changes such as short-term memory loss.  We also see it through residents’ inability to: initiate or respond to conversations, solve problems, carry out daily tasks, orient themselves to time and place, handle their daily hygiene needs, etc.

Alzheimer’s Disease is just one form of dementia. Other diseases that fall under the “dementia umbrella” include Parkinson’s, Lewy Body Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Degeneration, Down Syndrome, Hutington’s Disease and many others. 

The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) has identified the “Ten Warning Signs” that may indicate someone is experiencing the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s Disease or another form of dementia. 

The “10 Warning Signs” include: 

1. Memory loss that impacts daily life
2. Problem solving challenges
3. Inability to complete normal tasks
4. Confusing time and place
5. Visual image concerns
6.   Word loss when speaking or writing
7. Misplacing items
8. Making poor decisions
9. Isolation from family and friends
10. Personality changes

If you or a loved one have three (3) or more of these symptoms, you should see your primary care doctor (PCP). 

1. Call your PCP for an appointment. 
2. Make a list of all of the changes you’re questioning. 
3. Take a family member with you to your appointment. Have this person take notes. 
4. Ask to be evaluated and get your questions/concerns answered. 
5. Request a 6-month follow-up, not one year. 
6. Request recommendation for a neurologist, if appropriate. 
7. Review educational information on Alzheimer’s Association website (www.alz.org). 
8. Talk with your family members/friends and develop a support team for you and the primary caregiver. 
9. Start attending a support group. 
10. Contact your lawyer and financial planner. 

YES!  We know that if there have been multiple people in succeeding generations or multiple family members in the same generation who have had some form of dementia, you may be more at risk. 

We also know that what we eat, drink and breathe impacts our brains and bodies. Eat a healthy diet (Mediterranean Diet) and exercise your body and your brain starting today. 

According to Harvard:  “The Mediterranean diet is a primarily plant-based eating plan that includes daily intake of whole grains, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, beans and other legumes, nuts, herbs, and spices. Other foods like animal proteins are eaten in smaller quantities, with the preferred animal protein being fish and seafood,”   www.hsph.harvard.edu  

Currently, there are no medications to cure the disease, prevent it or reverse it.  There is drug testing in clinical trials, but nothing is available to the general population. 

Yes there are, depending on the type of dementia.  There are also medications to assist with sleeping, anxiety, appetite issues, etc. Please be in touch with your doctor if you have medication questions. 

It’s important to understand that every patient is different.  There may be common behaviors that many Alzheimer’s patients exhibit, but there may also be behaviors that are unique to your loved one. 

Some behaviors that may/will impact your loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease are: 

1. Memory Loss
2. Confusion
3. Paranoia
4. Lucidity
5. Wandering
6. Repetitive Activities and Language
7. Losing Important Belongings
8. Mismanagement of Finances
9. Missing Appointments
10. Rejecting Family & Friends

It all depends on what part of the brain has been impacted by the disease.  You might see: 

1. Loss of familiar words
2. Calling an item or family member by the wrong name
3. Slow responses
4. Can’t complete sentences  
5. Can’t initiate conversations
6. Answers every question with “yes” or “no”                                                                                                                

Patients’ refusing to take their medications is a very common behavior.  There are several things you might try. If crushable, place in applesauce, ice cream, milk shakes, pudding or other food that patient likes.  You might be able to “bribe” patients by promising them one of their favorite treats if they will take their medications first. Or negotiate with them to take their meds before watching their favorite TV movie, going out for ice cream/coffee or a ride on a nice day.                                                                                                             

Slowly begin to remove her underwear and replace it with a protective garment. Eventually only protective garments will be in her dresser, and it will be easier for her to agree to wear it.                                                  

If Dad is living with you or has home health aides providing care, place him on a bathroom schedule every 2 hours. Use a heavy-duty protective garment at night. 

Yes.  Alzheimer’s and dementia support groups provide an opportunity for family caregivers and their support team to become more educated, listen to other caregivers who will understand their individual circumstances and learn more about the disease. All conversations are confidential.  If you are having a “rough” day, you are always free to attend and just listen.  When you are ready to share, you will know that.  

Yes.  Mountain View Memory Care offers an in-person Alzheimer’s and dementia support each month.  We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm in the conference room at              711 US Rt. 19, Greensburg.  If you would like more information, please call 724-834-5711 and ask for Stacey. 

Yes. It’s extremely important to have your loved ones’ legal and financial matters accurate and updated.  Both of these professionals can assist you in getting the legal and financial matters in order to eliminate future problems and complications. 

Through your lawyer you can secure POAs so you can assist your loved one when he/she is no longer able to make appropriate health and financial decisions. POAs are only valid while the person is living and cease to exist upon death. They are two separate documents:   

POA for finance and legal issues and POA for Healthcare. 

Elder law attorneys deal with legal circumstances generally related to elders.  However, if your family has been dealing with an attorney over a long period of time, he/she might be the best solution for your family.

Memory care communities offer a variety of services for dementia patients when the primary caregiver or family are no longer able to care for their loved one at home. The list is extensive, but these are a few of the primary reasons for placement: 

1. Staff are present 24 hours a day to provide personal care. 
2. Individualized care plans are developed for each person. 
3. Medications and contact with physicians can be handled by the staff. 
4. It is a safe environment, especially if your loved one has been wandering away from home. 
5. Placement can provide respite time for family members.
6. Family and friends can visit when it is convenient for them 
7. Residents are offered diets specific to their needs. 
8. Sleep patterns, weight loss/gain and food consumption are monitored. 
9. Socialization is critical for dementia residents so they do not become isolated. 
10. A variety of individual and group activities keep residents engaged and challenged. 
11. Family members are encouraged to attend group activities and share meals.

Memory care is paid privately. However, there are multiple avenues to seek assistance including Veterans Benefits, Social Security, Long Term Care Policies, and more. Mountain View guides each resident and their families in the application process for any assistance with payment methods. Mountain View’s rates are all- inclusive, simplifying the monthly budgeting process to make it easier for you to plan for continued care.

Residents with memory impairment needs often require a focused and educated type of care. MVMC uses techniques proven effective to raise the quality of life in our residents with memory care needs. We provide cognitive support, Memory Impairment Talks hosted by our house physician, activities designed specifically for or residents, a state of the art security system to keep resident’s safe, and more. All of our practices have been created with memory care needs in mind.

Every Memory Care Home is different. At Mountain View, we focus on a progressive Care Program which provides all levels of care ranging from minimal assistance to head-to-toe daily care. Our goal is to give each resident continued care in a comfortable and loving environment during their stay with us.