Understanding Dementia: A Guide for Families

April 30, 2025
| Fountain Digital

When it comes to healthy aging, quite honestly, there’s a lot to do. You’re supposed to make sure to keep your body active and your brain engaged all while maintaining your social connections as well. Sure, the benefits to your overall well-being are worth the effort, but retirement is supposed to be a time with less responsibility on your plate, right? Well, it turns out that in senior living you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Here’s how programs like our Vivid Life make keeping active, engaged, and connected easy and fun!

Benefits of Healthy Aging

Good things happen when you focus on healthy aging. In addition to feeling better overall, which in and of itself is a win, other benefits of keeping active, engaged, and connected include:

Improved ability to do everyday things
Reduced impact of illness and chronic disease
Enhanced mobility, flexibility, and balance
Improved sleep
Increased energy level
Reduced feelings of depression and stress
Increased feelings of happiness and self-confidence
Reduced risk of cognitive decline
Increased mental adaptability and cognitive reserve
Improved memory recall and problem-solving skills
Improved concentration and attention to detail

How Senior Living Can Help

At home, particularly when living alone, it can be hard to stay as active, engaged, and connected as you’d like. From lack of opportunity to lack of motivation to lack of transportation to mobility challenges, and more, it’s tough, we get it! That’s why we created the Vivid Life program in our senior living communities. It’s composed of three parts: Vibrant Body, Vibrant Brain, and Vibrant Connections. Here’s what each entails:

Vibrant Body – We offer amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center, a pool, walking trails, gardening opportunities, and even a dog park to help you stay active. A sample of activities includes:

Walking club – Daily walks at different outdoor locations using pedometers to measure steps.
Yoga – At least once per week for gentle yoga, and once per week for mindful breathing.
Fitness classes – At least two times per week using a variety of hand weights, resistance bands, and circuit-type exercises.
Tai Chi – At least once per week with a live instructor.
Non-traditional exercise – Dancing, gardening, etc. at least two times per week.
Physical games and sports – Golf, putting, bowling, croquet, bocce, and ping pong available daily with organized events one to two times per week.

Vibrant Brain – We offer monthly calendars filled with classes, events, creative arts, and enrichment opportunities to help keep you engaged. A sample of activities includes:

Visiting lecture series – Twice per month with topics such as cultural, historical, local interest, career-oriented, etc.
Creative art series – At least one per week with a theme that runs 3-6 weeks, such as poetry writing, storytelling, painting, digital photography, etc.
Learning series – At least three times per month with an emphasis on learning something new such as foreign language, sign language, technology, hobbies, etc.
Games – At least one time per week and may include poker, bridge, Scrabble, etc.
Mindfulness – A meditation class once per week and gratitude discussion group twice monthly.
Church service – At least once a week through visits by local churches.
Stress reduction – At least once per month class that offers deep breathing exercises, nature walks, music appreciation, spa-type treatments, etc.

Vibrant Connections – We offer resident-led clubs, social events, outings and volunteer opportunities for any interest to help you stay connected. A sample of activities includes:

Outings – At least twice per month and may include going to concerts, art shows, museum visits, theatre productions, etc.
Intergenerational programming – At least once per month and focuses on building relationships between young adults/children and residents.
New resident welcome party – At least once per month to formally introduce all new residents, and includes ice breakers, social games, etc. to encourage connection.
Philanthropic program – At least once per month provide residents the opportunity to give back to the community, such as volunteering for a local food bank or pet shelter.
Resident-led clubs – May include game clubs, professional clubs, common interests, etc. that meet at least monthly.

What’s more, it’s all right outside your door (or transportation is provided offsite) and all in a supportive environment with home maintenance, housekeeping, and restaurant-style dining freeing your time to make it even easier to stay active, engaged, and connected.

Learn more about Vitality Living’s Vivid Life programs. Or find a Vitality Living community near you today to schedule a tour.

Dementia can feel overwhelming at first, but gaining knowledge is one of the most empowering steps a family can take. At Vitality Living, we’re here to help you navigate the journey with compassion, clarity, and confidence. Whether you’re just beginning to notice the early signs of dementia in a loved one or you’re researching long-term care solutions, this guide will walk you through the essentials of understanding dementia, its progression, and how to create a meaningful dementia care plan.

What Is Dementia?

Before anything else, let’s clarify: What is dementia?

Dementia is not a single disease—it’s an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, cognitive function, and social abilities. It interferes with a person’s daily life and independence. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, but there are others, such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

For individuals facing dementia, specialized care like memory care can offer support to enhance quality of life and provide the tailored assistance needed for managing these challenges.

Recognizing the Early Signs of Dementia

Knowing the early signs of dementia can help you and your loved one take proactive steps. While changes in thinking are a normal part of aging, dementia affects more than memory—it impacts communication, reasoning, and behavior.

Early on-set dementia symptoms include:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Difficulty planning or solving problems
Confusion with time or place
Trouble following conversations or finding words
Changes in mood, personality, or social withdrawal

Noticing these symptoms doesn’t mean someone has dementia, but it’s worth talking to a healthcare provider to learn more about possible causes.

Understanding Dementia Stages

Dementia progresses in stages, and understanding those dementia stages can help families prepare emotionally and practically. While experiences vary, most people move through the following phases:

Early Stage: Symptoms are mild and may be mistaken for normal aging. Individuals can often live independently with some support.
Middle Stage: Memory and cognitive issues become more noticeable. Assistance with daily tasks like dressing and managing medications is often needed.
Late Stage: Individuals may lose the ability to communicate clearly and require full-time care.

Each stage brings its own challenges—but also opportunities for connection, creativity, and compassionate caregiving. A dedicated memory care community like Vitality Living provides personalized support, structured routines, and engaging programs designed to meet residents where they are, helping them live with dignity and purpose at every step.

Creating a Dementia Care Plan

A dementia care plan is more than a checklist—it’s a thoughtful approach tailored to your loved one’s evolving needs, preferences, and values. It includes everything from medical care and safety precautions to social engagement and emotional support.

Your plan should consider:

Medical care providers and medication management
Daily routines and personal preferences
Communication strategies as language changes
Legal and financial planning
Options for senior living and memory care

Having a dementia care plan in place brings peace of mind—and helps everyone involved provide more consistent and meaningful support.

When to Consider Memory Support Communities

As dementia symptoms progress, families often find that professional support becomes essential. That’s where senior living communities offering dedicated memory care can make all the difference.

Vitality Living offers specialized memory care communities designed for individuals with dementia, where residents are met with dignity, safety, and a deep sense of belonging. Our specialized caregivers are trained in both clinical knowledge and empathy, helping each resident thrive within their capabilities.

What makes our approach unique:

Structured environments that reduce confusion and anxiety
Personalized engagement based on life history and interests
A culture that celebrates each individual’s worth and story

You’re Not Alone

If you’re on this journey with a loved one, know that you’re not alone. Thousands of families are also learning about dementia symptoms, researching dementia stages, and creating their own dementia care plan.

Vitality Living is here to walk alongside you—not only as a provider of exceptional senior living options but as a partner who understands the emotional weight of these decisions. Our team is always ready to answer questions, offer support, and help you navigate every step of the way.

Explore Supportive Memory Care at Vitality Living

Empowered families make empowered choices. Download our full guide to understanding dementia or contact us to learn more about our memory support services. Together, we can create a path forward that’s informed, compassionate, and full of vitality.

Be You. Be Vibrant. Belong.

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