AlzCare was formed in December of 1998 to provide assisted living services to persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia. Our purpose was clear from the beginning….to restore some of the quality of life that has been lost due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. AlzCare does this by offering residences that provide safety, security, dignity and independence in a setting that is better than home. According to Dr. Barry Reisburg, “The way we typically care for patients may be precisely the opposite of what they need.” This is especially true in traditional nursing and assisted living facilities that place their priorities in areas that do not have a positive impact on the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s.

AlzCare is committed to its mission of serving individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease in an intimate, home setting; generously staffed by well trained, compassionate and engaging caregivers. Each facility is licensed for no more than 16 to maintain a small, intimate setting in which staff, resident and family alike have the opportunity to form relationships that are a part of the therapeutic milieu of AlzCare..

AlzCare was formed in December of 1998 to provide assisted living services to persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia. Our purpose was clear from the beginning….to restore some of the quality of life that has been lost due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. AlzCare does this by offering residences that provide safety, security, dignity and independence in a setting that is better than home. According to Dr. Barry Reisburg, “The way we typically care for patients may be precisely the opposite of what they need.” This is especially true in traditional nursing and assisted living facilities that place their priorities in areas that do not have a positive impact on the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s.

AlzCare is committed to its mission of serving individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease in an intimate, home setting; generously staffed by well trained, compassionate and engaging caregivers. Each facility is licensed for no more than 16 to maintain a small, intimate setting in which staff, resident and family alike have the opportunity to form relationships that are a part of the therapeutic milieu of AlzCare.

Being a caregiver doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to give up life’s pleasures. You can still enjoy traveling with a person who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. There are two keys to success in travel: plan well in advance and keep SAFETY your number one consideration.

Call your local Alzheimer’s Association and register with the Safe Return Program.

Remember to never leave your loved one alone during the trip. They are much more likely to wander in an unfamiliar environment.

If a situation presents itself, have a crisis plan ready and don’t be hesitant to seek assistance from local authorities and emergency services.

When preparing for bedtime at a hotel, secure the room door.

Maintain your daily routine such as mealtimes, rest times and bed times as much as possible. If you regularly take a walk with your loved one for exercise, continue that pattern on your trip.

Have comfort items such as pillows, snacks and water ready available when you travel.

If you are traveling by car and don’t have child proof door locks, consider renting or borrowing a car equipped with them.

Recruit a friend or family member to go along for the company and extra support.

Leave a detailed itinerary with family or friends. Check in with them often to let them know you are okay.

If you still feel that travel with your loved one may be too difficult, consider respite care at an assisted living facilities. Many facilities offer this form of short-term care. A helpful way to approach respite care with your loved one is to tell them that they are going on a vacation as well. Respite care will provide quality care and meaningful activities which will make their stay very enjoyable and safe. You can even call the facility while on your trip to make sure everything is okay.

Remember taking a break from your care giving responsibilities can be vital for your own mental health and physical well-being. In the end, it can be a great benefit to both care giver and recipient.

AlzCare provides quality care and treatment for Alzheimer’s patients in Texas. Our main office is in New Braunfels, close to San Antonio. We also have offices in San Marcos, Victoria, Temple, and Waco.

How important is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease?

The earlier an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is made, the greater the gain in managing symptoms and allowing the person to take part in future life course decisions.

How long to persons with Alzheimer’s disease live after developing the disease?

Persons with Alzheimer’s disease often live for years with the disease, eventually dying from pneumonia or other diseases. The duration of Alzheimer’s disease from time of diagnosis can be 20 years or more. The average length of time from onset of symptoms is thought to be in the range of 4 to 8 years.

As Alzheimer’s disease gets worse, what changes can I expect?

In general, Alzheimer’s disease causes a gradual decline in 3 main areas that you can think of as ABC for short.

A: (Activities of Daily Living): This relates to a persons ability to take care of him or herself and perform routine tasks, such as getting dressed or cooking meals.
B. (Behavior): This relates to mood and personality changes, such as a person’s emotions, interest in being with others, and eating and sleeping patterns.
C. (Cognition): This includes a person’s ability to think, reason, learn and remember. Being able to remember names, past or current events or where you live is a good example of cognition.

AlzCare provides quality care and treatment for Alzheimer’s patients in Texas. Our main office is in New Braunfels, close to San Antonio. We also have offices in San Marcos, Victoria, Temple, and Waco.