“Caregiver.”

According to the diction­ary, it’s a noun that simply means, “A person who cares for someone who is sick or disabled.” However, anyone responsible for the care of an aging or memory impaired parent would perceive this word as a verb, due to the incessant work that the seemingly endless job entails. It’s an under­taking that requires all the effort and resources one can marshal, an often overwhelming job that demands 100% effort, as well as total mind and body involve­ment.

Our first caregivers were there for us from the moment we took our first breath - our parents. They looked after us, nurtured us, loved us and sought only the best for us. With advancing age, the roles are generally reversed. Specifically in the instance of memory impairment or dimin­ished cognitive function, caring for our parents becomes even more daunting. There are many conflicting emotions that arise as a memory impaired parent ages. Of course, we still love our parents, but the emotional, financial and physical demands can become burdensome and have a serious impact not only for us as caregivers but also for our families.

Every 71 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As many as 5.2 million persons suffer from the disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s estimate, as many as 10 million baby boomers will fall victim to this disease. Of course, Alzheimer’s is only one of many memory impairing illnesses, most of which increase in frequency with age.

Although there are currently no medications to cure these ill­nesses, support, resources, and care options are abundantly avail­able for families facing this crisis. Most of all, there are answers.

Some people are under the impression that placing a loved one under the care of a skilled nursing facility (often referred to as a “nursing home,”) will com­promise the individual’s freedom. In reality, nothing could be fur­ther from the truth. A specialized extended care facility that offers a program specifically designed for memory-impaired individuals can provide the ideal situation for those suffering from these impairments. Far from eclipsing the person’s freedom, the properly crafted and implemented pro­gram actually enhances indepen­dence and self-sufficiency.

A facility that has the profes­sional resources and environment to ensure the health, well-being, and security of an Alzheimer’s patient, can have a significant positive impact on the life of the patient and his family. Invariably, more time will be available for meaningful interaction, both with family members and with trained caregivers. Special pro­gramming is designed to promote cognitive function and to appre­ciate nostalgic memories. For patients in more advanced stages, innovative sensory therapies are offered, including audiovisual stimuli, with soothing, pastoral scenes, as well as aromatherapy.

Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation is just such a facil­ity.

Royal Suites is a brand new state of the art facility that com­prises three completely separate units for three distinct categories of care. The Alzheimer’s/memory impaired unit has gained acclaim as an ideal environment and care program in which residents can truly thrive. The specially trained staff is caring and compassionate. The secured unit also includes a secured beautiful outside court­yard. Staff is on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week to oversee all psychological and physical care. The accommodations and ameni­ties are absolutely unparalleled; Royal Suites spares no effort in ensuring the comfort and well-being of our residents.

Placing a loved one in Royal Suites means placing them in caring, capable hands and giving them a quality of life they would not have otherwise known. Rather than “ignoring” them, you are actually placing them in center stage; you will see that they will become part of a bigger caring family.

Think carefully of what your parents wanted for you at birth: to grow independently, happy, healthy, and to live life to its full­est. There can be very real feel­ings of guilt, resentment, stress, fatigue and anger when the care of a parent gets to be overwhelm­ing. Take the time to see the big­ger picture and what the effects of the day to day reality are doing to yourself and others. Why not take advantage of help and sup­port that is readily available.

Help is only a phone call away. Call Jackie Phillips, Director of Admissions, at 609-748-9900 extension 1708, to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. Tours are always available.