Specialized dementia care can help with loneliness, isolation
When patient needs exceed what home caregivers can provide, memory care facilities help
December 20, 2024
IN THE NEWS: Caring for a loved one suffering from dementia can place a heavy burden on the caregiver's own wellness to the point where they might neglect their own health needs.
When that happens, it might be time to consider a memory care facility, says UCI Health geriatrician Dr. Lisa Gibbs.
She spoke to U.S. News & World Report about why patients can benefit from receiving care from a team trained in memory disorders.
“Isolation and loneliness worsen health conditions for everyone, but especially for the person with dementia, who will benefit (from) an environment that is specialized for dementia care.”
Staff in memory care facilities are often skilled and experienced in working with persons with dementia and promote a positive and friendly environment.”
Gibbs is the medical director of UCI Health Senior Health Services, which has been recognized as a national leader in advancing clinical care for older adults. She has repeatedly been named a Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association. The center also has led the way in the evaluation and treatment of memory loss through its innovative Memory Assessment Services. This comprehensive exam tests attention, concentration, recall, problem-solving and verbal skills. Based on the results, patients and caregivers receive recommendations and resources to increase their quality of life.
Gibbs is also a professor and the chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine & Gerontology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine. She is the director of the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect.
An advocate for the health of seniors, she heads numerous research and training projects designed to support successful aging, including the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and Dementia Care Aware to care for people suffering from dementia.
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