The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia grows each year, and the average age of new patients is going down.

As the demand for round-the-clock care increases, assisted living facilities like Mapleshade Meadows Senior Living in Nesquehoning have responded with services aimed at Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

“It’s becoming one of those diagnoses increasing just as much as cancer and heart disease. We’re seeing it at a younger age too, so by the time they’re in their 70s, they’re significantly impaired and unable to live alone,” said Lori Dacey RN, Mapleshade’s admissions and marketing director.

Mapleshade Meadows recently opened a 25-bed memory unit to meet the growing need. By providing security and round-the-clock care, it relieves families of the burden of being a caregiver for their loved one. Meals, supervision, and personal care services are taken care of by the staff. When families visit, they can focus more on spending time with their loved one.

“When they’re at home taking care of mom, dad, brother uncle, sister, they become the caregiver. They become the nurse, they become the aide, they do housekeeping, they do everything for them,” Dacey said.

In the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s, patients can do a good job of masking their symptoms, laughing it off as a part of the natural aging process. But eventually a loved one might notice that they are wearing the same clothes multiple days, or the same food is sitting in the refrigerator for weeks, and they realize something is not right.

Eventually, the illness requires constant supervision. Many loved ones are willing to take on that challenge at the beginning, but it’s not only an 8-hour-per-day commitment, it’s a 24-hour commitment.

“They may not realize at the time when they’re taking care of them at home what’s involved with Alzheimer’s and dementia. They’re OK in the beginning, but as they progress, they find that they cannot leave them home alone for any extended period of time,” she said.

There are also residents at Mapleshade who may want to transition into the memory care unit. If a resident’s memory is getting worse, or they are tending to wander, they could be looked at for transfer to the memory unit.

“We have both, we have residents coming from outside in the community in hospitals, we also have residents here who we give the opportunity if family feels they may benefit from the unit,” Dacey said.

Memory care includes staff trained specially in memory impairment, so residents can participate in activities to the fullest of their ability. They provide structured activities. The unit is secured with a private courtyard for memory care patients. Residents can dine privately and there is a quiet seating area.

Memory care costs slightly more than general services, about $3,000 per month, because of the round-the-clock aspect of care. However when compared to the cost of a home health aide, it could be thousands less per month. There are also discounts available for veterans.

“We provide 24 hour staff that would meet all their personal care needs. Food services, housekeeping, laundry, activities, where at home, they’re paying direct care for a personal caregiver, which can become very costly over time,” Dacey said.

The memory unit at Mapleshade Meadows has capacity for 25 residents, including one room for a couple. Referrals are coming in every day, but there are spaces available. For more information, contact Dacey at 570-669-5500.