CountryHouse at Council Bluffs

According to the Alzheimers Association, 30-million people worldwide are living with Alzheimers and other dementias. Alzheimers is a brain disease that causes decline in memory, thinking and reasoning. While there are many warning signs of dementia such as forgetting daily tasks, a loved ones name, physical changes, changes in hygiene or unusual shifts in personality something you may not have considered is that confusion and struggles with money management are some of the most common early warning signs of dementia. Here are some things to look out for:General trouble with numbersIt may start slowly. Maybe you notice your loved one is having more difficulty with numbers in general, such as calculating a tip or figuring the score on a golf card. Maybe your loved one is a great card player, but now theyre having difficulty recognizing or processing the numbers on their playing cards. They could be having trouble recognizing the time on their clocks or dates on calendars. All of these things are common early signs that then progress into confusion with money.They are neglecting their finances.When visiting your parents, you see piles of unopened mail or worse, creditor envelopes and collection notices. Yikes. Losing track of financial matters is one of the first signs of dementia for many. Check your loved ones unpaid bills in particular, check taxes, property taxes, insurance premiums and doctors bills to make sure theyve been paid. If you can, examine your parents bank statements for signs of unusual activity.Theyre being (or have been) scammed.People with Alzheimers and dementia are easy targets for scammers and unscrupulous salespeople. If you notice that your loved one is making strange purchases, giving to new charities or investing in questionable financial products beware! These can all indicate the onset of memory loss and other dementia-related issues. Some charities will approach seniors over and over again and if your loved one doesnt remember donating, they may contribute each time they are asked to do so.Theyre giving large amounts of money to someone.Folks with dementia can often fall victim to dishonest people. Sadly, this can include friends or family members not just strangers. If you see financial documents or checks with signatures you dont recognize or discover their will or life insurance has been changed without your knowledge, these could be signs your loved one is being taken advantage of. It may not even be money look to see if there are items missing around their home, especially nice jewelry, furniture or family heirlooms. Can they explain where they went?Unnecessary purchases or hoarding.Are their bathroom shelves piled high with bars of soap or their freezer full of Thanksgiving turkeys? Repeatedly purchasing multiples of the same item is often an early sign that someones mental faculties are declining. An unwillingness to throw things away can also be a sign that some ones grip on reality is fading. And, of course, if your loved one is showing signs of hoarding (to the point where their home is unclean, unsafe and unmanageable) thats an even more serious warning to seek a safer living situation.They make accusations related to money.Because your loved one may not remember spending their money, they could grow suspicious. Maybe someone stole from them! Maybe they even accuse you! Many older adults will be wary of attempts to help with their financial affairs. The National Institute on Aging suggests taking these steps to help your loved one: giving small amounts of cash or voided checks to have on hand, minimizing spending limits on credit cards or having some cards cancelled. Both are good ways to help prevent excess spending for someone whos having trouble.Money and memory loss are often entangled, so if you notice these or other financial warning signs it is time to address the issue. This can be a touchy subject, so begin with a conversation. Its important to help your loved one maintain a sense of independence while protecting them from significant financial mishaps. Your first steps may include reducing the number of credit cards in their name and in their hands, setting up spending alerts or just becoming more active in managing your loved ones finances. Its also important to make arrangements for the future. Discuss your loved ones wishes forestate planning, trusts, and designating a durable power of attorney while they are still able to participate in making these important decisions.

No one is ever really ready to move a loved one from home to a care community. The decision to begin that transition is a deeply personal one, and countless factors must be considered before finally determining what's right for your family. Among those factors? Urgency. Alzheimer's and dementia are progressive conditions leading to further cognitive decline over time. That's why early intervention is critical when considering memory care. Rather than waiting until professional memory care is mandated by a physician, seeking help at the first sign of trouble will allow more time to make plans for the future which can alleviate some of the uncertainty and stress when symptoms do progress.Initiating the conversation with your loved one without bias is a crucial first step. And it requires caregivers to be honest with themselves. Think about whether you and your family can truly provide the level of attention and support that your loved one needs.As you consider your choices, you may find that a memory care community can do more to provide consistent care than you're able to on your own. How exactly: Routines and Activities:Establishing routines and ensuring daily engagement provide substantial benefits for individuals with memory loss issues. Routines and stimulating activities can sharpen focus, ease agitation and even instill confidence and independence. Memory care communities like ours provide individuals with an array of engaging activities that appeal to a wide range of interests as well as different levels of memory loss. Residents can socialize and have fun, all while maximizing cognitive functions. CountryHouse's unique Life Cycles program even offers regular exercise, daily bus rides and social hours too.24/7 Individualized Care:Another unique benefit of a memory care residence? Around-the-clock care. Memory loss affects everyone differently no two cases are the same. At CountryHouse, our individualized approach to care fosters meaningful, personal connections. We make it a priority to understands each residents likes and dislikes, and we spend time learning about their past, their family and their story. It creates a family-like atmosphere filled with comfort, engagement and joy.Plus, were here 24/7. From our nurses and med aides to our cooks and life enrichment coordinators, every staff member is hand-picked based not only on their experience and qualifications but on their commitment to our company values too. Were passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others every single day.The Feeling of Home:As a specialized memory care residence, CountryHouse is designed and built for your loved one to feel comfortable and cared for while maintaining their independence.We understand the major benefits that come from minor considerations like private areas, familiar decorations and an emphasis on routine. That's why we invite residents to bring their own furniture and mementos to personalize their space with us. It creates a familiar, comfortable setting that cultivates health and happiness. And with our passionate, loving staff, everyone is cared for like family.Safety:Wandering is a common symptom associated with memory loss. Becoming lost or confused can put individuals in dangerous conditions and magnify worry and stress for family members.Memory care residences are designed to prevent scenarios like this. Secured entries, surveillance and other safety features help protect residents from hazardous situations. This focus on safety, paired with our around-the-clock care, fosters security for them, and peace of mind for you.IndependenceAt CountryHouse we truly value independence. There's no mandatory participation or strict schedules to adhere to. Here, residents maintain the ability to do what they want to do and live the way they want to live. Whether they're walking around the large, secure courtyard or practicing their stroke on the putting green, we allow for as much independence as is possible and safe.With all the memory care options available today, settling on the perfect place for you and your family can feel overwhelming. But with guidance from our in-house experts, we can make it a little easier.