Firstly, cognitive impairment is understood as "the loss of cognitive functions produced in the course of normalized aging. These cognitive functions can be memory, attention, processing speed, language, calculation, etc." (Diaz, 2017). This deterioration can also develop when there is any neurodegenerative or psychiatric disease.
It usually occurs progressively, so it is urgent that the person who begins to experience it receives specialized support as soon as possible to slow down the progression.
Families facing this situation often consider the possibility of a senior living community or residence to provide their family member with the care he or she needs.
It is important to mention that not all senior living communities specialize in providing this type of support, so we recommend that, if you are thinking of contracting a care package in a residence or senior living community, you should analyze the senior care services offered.
We suggest that, when studying the options in communities for older adults, they make different consultations and make sure that, in terms of dementia and cognitive impairment in older adults, they offer the following services:
- Cognitive stimulation: This is carried out from a set of activities whose objective is to "preserve the abilities that are maintained and slow the deterioration of other areas that may be affected by the same disease" (Morales, 2020). In other words, through this type of stimulation, the cognitive functions that are still preserved are worked on and not those that have been lost.
- Cognitive rehabilitation: Unlike cognitive stimulation, this type of rehabilitation is executed with the purpose of recovering specific executive functions (Morales, 2020).
- Constant supervision: By personnel trained to care for the elderly person with some degree of cognitive impairment. And to provide assistance in terms of personal hygiene, feeding and going to the health service (if required).
Bibliographic references
Morales, C. (2020) Difference between cognitive stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation. Retrieved from: https://knowalzheimer.com/diferencia-entre-la-estimulacion-cognitiva-y-rehabilitacion-cognitiva/
Diaz, C. (2017). Cognitive impairment. Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from: https://www.geriatricarea.com/2017/03/08/deterioro-cognitivo-preguntas-frecuentes/
