One of the big questions families have when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia is: Where will they live?
Many people would like to continue living at home as long as possible, but more than 20% end up moving within four years of getting a diagnosis. That means it’s twice as likely that people with dementia move after learning about their condition than those without the disease.
In a new study published in JAMA, researchers shared their findings from a study of more than a million Medicare beneficiaries. The team not only compared people with dementia to those without but also took a look at how these figures compared to people with other life-changing health changes. When compared to those with colon cancer, COPD, and heart attacks, the number of people with dementia who move is still effectively twice as high.
Why do so many people with dementia move? The study didn’t dive into the answer, but the authors say it is possible that people with dementia move to be closer to family, to live in a place better suited for independent living, or to enter long-term nursing care. Nearly a third of people with dementia who moved ended up living with their child.
Many of the people who moved after receiving a dementia diagnosis ended up in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest. The study doesn’t provide an explanation as to why that was. Another piece of information that we’d like to know more about is the stage of dementia and the severity of symptoms patients had when they moved. The researchers were not able to study that piece of the puzzle.
Why This Matters to Lizzy Care
We serve families dealing with every stage of dementia and work hard to provide support that allows their loved one to live in the best setting for them.
In the early stages of dementia, we can provide services like memory support activities, cognitive coaching, home safety evaluations and medication management that often allow a person to live at home safely and comfortably. As symptoms change, we work closely with our clients to determine if and when a long-term care facility is in order.
You can check out the study on JAMA Network Open.
Lizzy Care is the next generation of dementia care. We provide personal care for people living with dementia and a vast array of support for families who want to make sure their loved one is getting the best care possible. Our best-in-class app helps doctors, caregivers, and families easily stay in contact to make sure the care plan is on track and communicate important information. Please reach out if you need help caring for someone in your life who is living with dementia. Get in touch or call us at 234-567-9449.
