Sometimes, individuals who are not “seniors” may choose assisted living because they have an illness that causes them to feel insecure on their own. One of these conditions is multiple sclerosis (MS). MS impacts the central nervous system when the immune system malfunctions. When functioning properly, the immune system battles foreign organisms, but with MS, the body errantly fights the body’s own myelin sheaths. Those sheaths are meant to protect neurons, similar to insulation – but when that protection is gone, signals from the brain do not arrive at their intended locations. This explains why those with MS struggle with coordination, have significant weakness, experience nerve pain, and sometimes become paralyzed. While many do not associate MS with memory loss, cognitive impairment can manifest and cause notable intellectual and social disabilities. Therefore, regardless of age, a facility that has both assisted living and memory care experts may be the ideal choice of residence for MS patients.
Symptoms of MS-Related Memory Loss
Research from the JAMA Network reveals that cognitive impairment affects 40% to 60% of MS patients. This can impact:
- Attention span and ability to concentrate
- Self-control, planning, and reasoning capabilities
- The rate at which they can process information
- Short-term memory recall
- Visual and spatial perception
By the time cognitive symptoms appear, the individual most likely is already living with motor and sensory challenges. However, dementia is rarely the result of these cognitive issues, rather, the decline follows a gradual process.
Assisted living and memory care communities offer friendly and compassionate residential living environments for seniors and others facing the reality of life with multiple sclerosis (MS). Those diagnosed with MS experience unique challenges – and the unpredictability of the condition sometimes necessitates specialized care and a safe, controlled, and supervised setting. This is where senior care residences provide great benefits, delivering personalized care plans via trained, empathetic and professional caregivers. They can provide wheelchair-accessible apartments and spaces, exercise classes for varying levels of ability, emergency response systems, and secure environments that allow residents and their loved ones to live their lives without anxiety.
Social connections are essential to avoid the onset of isolation, a common problem for seniors with MS who often put themselves in isolation because they are embarrassed or ashamed. Loneliness and isolation are dangerous for seniors and the chronically ill, as they can lead to myriad other issues, ranging from physical conditions to depression. Assisted living and memory care residences strive to create vibrant, engaging communities where residents can connect with peers, share experiences, cultivate friendships, and discover a sense of belonging. Because most activities take place within the same campus, residents can attend anything they like without worrying about transportation or asking family or friends to help them. The team at the facility are not just babysitters or caregivers – they are invested in making sure that the resident has the physical, emotional, and spiritual support they need to live a fulfilling life.
A campus that offers a continuum of care – that allows the residents to stay where they are even as their needs evolve – takes the pressure off the family and the patient. They can have peace of mind knowing that once they are settled, this community can remain home no matter the twists and turns their condition brings.
If you are in the Ocala / Villages area and are looking for quality care for your senior family member or a loved one with a debilitating condition such as MS – we invite you to visit A Banyan Residence today. We would love to give you a tour of our campus and speak to you more about your concerns and desires for yourself and those you love.
