Albany, the capital of New York State, is home to 98,617 people, of whom 13.5% are 65 and up. An estimated 10.7% of people in this age group have dementia or Alzheimer’s. This disease causes cognitive impairment that can result in mood swings, memory loss and reduced ability to manage essential activities of daily living. People with Alzheimer’s and dementia have twice as many hospital stays per year compared to those who don’t, a fact that illustrates the importance of dementia care. In Albany, deaths related to Alzheimer’s disease increased by 16.82% between 2016 and 2020, while total deaths increased at a slower rate of 14.95%.
Long-term memory care can help prevent accidents, hospitalizations and deaths related to Alzheimer’s. Staff in dementia care residences receive special training on how to handle the confusion and agitation that can accompany the disease. Memory care also often includes evidence-based interventions that can help preserve cognition, such as activities, exercise and specialized diets. This guide talks about the cost of this type of care in Albany and some of the city’s resources for seniors.