Innovative Therapies in Memory Care: What’s New in Senior Care

Currently, researchers estimate that as many as one in 10 seniors has dementia. Fortunately, there have been several significant advances in memory care in recent years to help address this need, offering hope for improved outcomes for individuals living with memory loss and their caregivers and families.

Memory care is specialized care for those living with dementia or other forms of memory loss. Depending on your family’s needs and preferences, you can typically find this type of care through several different places like:

• In-home care options, where professional caregivers come to your home periodically to provide various services like housekeeping, transportation, meal preparation, and companionship
• Stand-alone, drop-in care centers that offer daytime activities and medication management 
• Long-term residential communities like the Mission at Agua Fria memory care in Peoria that offer a wealth of services and amenities

When you’re considering memory care options for yourself or a loved one, ask about the available types of therapy. The following guide discusses some innovative therapies that are changing senior care for the better and are focused on enhancing the quality of life for seniors with memory loss.  

Virtual Reality (VR) Programs

VR technology is very popular in the video gaming world. Scientists have begun using VR capabilities to create immersive and interactive environments tailored to individuals with memory loss. 

By simulating familiar environments from their past or other environments of interest to them, VR programs have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression and enhance cognitive function during treatment. In recent years, VR technology advancements have made this an affordable solution for memory care communities in Peoria and families alike. 

Pharmacological Solutions

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several different prescription medications mostly used to help manage symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease since there is not yet a cure. These medications seem to be most effective and provide the most relief in cases of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease or the beginning stages of symptoms. 

Medications like cholinesterase inhibitors can work to prevent the breakdown of the chemical in the brain that is important for cognition and memory. By boosting the chemicals in the brain that allow brain cells to pass information to each other, these pharmacological solutions are intended to help people with dementia address their symptoms and live independently for as long as possible.

In July 2023, the FDA approved Lecanemab, the first disease-modifying therapy approved for use in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. While not a cure, this intravenously administered treatment every two weeks targets beta-amyloid in the brain to reduce the development of amyloid plaques. Preliminary results indicate that treatments can slow cognitive decline by as much as 20-30 percent after 18 months in people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain Stimulation

Another promising field of emerging therapy for Alzheimer’s disease is brain stimulation – both non-invasive and deep brain stimulation (DBS). 

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that uses magnets to turn on a part of your brain. Participants receive treatment in a doctor’s office five times a week for four to six weeks. An electromagnetic coil produces pulses to stimulate brain activity. Improved cognitive function sometimes happens immediately but can take as long as six weeks, with the benefits lasting three months or more in some cases.

Another type of brain stimulation that is more invasive and requires surgery is DBS, in which electrodes are surgically implanted in the brain to provide constant brain stimulation. Although individuals with dementia have achieved positive results from DBS, researchers are working on a non-invasive form of DBS that wouldn’t require surgery, known as temporal interference. Electrodes on the scalp create electrical fields in the brain to stimulate the hippocampus without negatively affecting surrounding areas. Since the hippocampus is deep in the brain, researchers are still exploring how to focus the energy on specific areas of the brain.  

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a program that was first developed in the United Kingdom and is becoming more widely available in the United States. Usually administered in small group settings over seven weeks or so, trained therapists (usually occupational therapists, nurses, or dementia care specialists) lead the group in themed activities like puzzles, games, songs, exercise, and conversation to encourage continued learning and stimulate memory and cognitive skills. 

Research has shown that CST can have a positive impact on language skills like finding the right words, verbal comprehension, and naming objects. Participants also reported an improved quality of life. As CST is often conducted in group settings, this therapy also has social benefits. 

Reminiscence Therapy

The innovative therapies we’ve already mentioned are moving the field of memory care forward in exciting ways. More traditional forms of reminiscence therapy, which stimulate the senses to bring back memories through art, music, scents, pets, colors, and objects, have also been effective in memory care settings. 

People with dementia might struggle more with short-term memory, so reminiscence-type therapy taps into their long-term memory to spark the joy and sense of well-being that those memories elicit. Dementia care programs might play music from previous eras, go through family photo albums, or have residents hold familiar objects like sports trophies or a guitar to stimulate their tactile memories. When this type of cognitive therapy is personalized to the specific life experiences and history of a person receiving care, the benefits can be significant.

If you’re looking for high-quality memory care in Peoria, AZ, contact the Mission at Agua Fria to schedule a tour today. In addition to cognitive therapy like art and music and game nights, we offer 24/7 access to assistance with activities of daily living, transportation, dining, housekeeping, and so much more. Our pet-friendly apartments in the beautiful desert oasis of Peoria have everything you need to live well and thrive in a vibrant, caring community.