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Are you or a loved one experiencing memory loss and wondering if it is dementia? Contact your doctor immediately to receive a proper diagnosis. However, It’s essential to understand the differences between these two conditions so you can make an informed decision on how best to provide care.
Memory support for seniors is an important topic, especially for the aging population living in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. When memory loss or dementia has been diagnosed in a loved one, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Know that help and resources are available.
Continue reading to explore the differences between memory loss and dementia, as well as discuss whether Health First Colorado covers the cost of memory care in Colorado Springs.
What Is the Difference Between Memory Loss and Dementia?
Unlike memory loss, dementia isn’t a normal part of aging. Memory loss from a type of dementia is a severe decline in mental ability that affects a person’s daily life.
Memory loss can be defined as a condition where an individual experiences difficulties accessing information stored in their short-term or long-term memory. Common causes include:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Medications
- Aging
Memory loss is not necessarily indicative of dementia. However, if it persists for an extended period, it may be cause for concern.
Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. Everyone experiences some degree of decline in memory as they grow older. Memories may become less sharp with age, and recalling information or names can take a little longer. In most cases, this isn’t serious enough to interfere with daily living.
Dementia is more severe than memory loss and is caused by physical changes in the brain that result in impairment of cognitive function. Dementia affects a person’s ability to think clearly, remember, communicate, and perform everyday tasks. It can also lead to changes in mood and behavior.
People with dementia often experience significant difficulty with:
- Language skills
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It affects at least 76,000 seniors in Colorado alone. There are many forms of dementia. Some of the most common types include:
- Vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia
A visit with a primary care doctor can help direct the next steps to receive a diagnosis. Diagnosing Alzheimer’s or dementia requires a comprehensive set of tests and observations. No single test can definitively diagnose either condition.
Doctors will often start with assessing symptoms, examining the individual’s medical history, and conducting cognitive tests. Further screenings may be necessary to get a precise diagnosis or rule out other issues, such as depression.
Additional tests could include:
- Neurological examination
- Lab testing
- MRI or CT scans
- Assessment from additional specialists like geriatric psychiatrists
Through this thorough process, doctors can determine the extent of memory loss and other symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis for effective treatment plans.
Early Dementia Diagnosis is Crucial
A dementia diagnosis enables seniors and their families to access treatment earlier. Early identification provides the opportunity to make decisions that will help maintain quality of life and create a plan for the future.
Early intervention with medications and lifestyle changes can slow down the progression of some types of dementia. Knowing memory loss will progress is especially beneficial in long-term planning.
Receiving an earlier diagnosis also permits individuals and their families ample time to work together on plans for legal, financial, and caregiving needs. In other words, having enough time to plan ahead gives families the benefit of securing their loved one’s future.
A person with dementia may not need to move into a memory care community immediately after diagnosis. Family members are often the first to provide support. However, as memory loss progresses, so will care needs. Caregiver burnout is a common reason dementia care facilities are in high demand.
Memory care communities in Colorado Springs, like StoneCreek of Flying Horse, serve local seniors from the areas of Gleneagle, Woodmoor, and Black Forest. An emphasis on socialization and continued activity is a significant benefit of this form of memory support.
Does Health First Colorado Cover Memory Care?
Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid system) does not cover custodial care services such as those provided at senior living communities. However, they offer coverage for medical procedures and treatments related to memory problems or injury rehabilitation therapy.
Medicare also offers limited coverage for certain medically necessary services performed by a licensed professional such as a physician or psychologist. Home health care services a person receives in a memory care community may be covered by insurance such as Health First Colorado.
The average cost of memory care in Colorado Springs is $5,829 per month. That cost of care lies between lower-priced areas like Pueblo and higher-priced places like Denver and Boulder.
Memory care in the upscale senior living community at StoneCreek of Flying Horse starts at $5,810 per month.
The Benefits of Comprehensive Memory Care in Colorado Springs
StoneCreek of Flying Horse in Colorado Springs offers life-enriching memory care in a secure and comfortable setting. Our skilled team specializes in all stages of dementia care and provides personalized services tailored to loved ones’ needs.
We encourage physical and social activities to help maintain cognitive health and improve quality of life. Residents can still find joy by living in the moment despite their memory loss.
Dementia Living and the Sagely application are ways we offer family support. We organize gatherings to educate, console, and provide peer connections. StoneCreek of Flying Horse is here to provide compassionate, specialized care when it is needed most.
When an individual is struggling with age-related memory issues or has been diagnosed with a form of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, finding access to quality care can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
If you have any questions about accessing quality memory support services in your area, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.
Find and Contact Colorado Springs Memory Care
Speak with a dementia care expert about memory care in Colorado Springs. Contact us to get started over the phone or online.
