Beyond the Diagnosis: How Medications Can Help with Dementia Care
Learn how medications can support dementia care when non-drug therapies aren’t enough. Explore options, benefits, risks, and coordinated care approaches.
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The word “malnutrition” makes us think of those in third world countries, war-torn cities, or those living in extreme poverty. But do you think of your grandparents? Or your elderly parents?
In the United States, malnutrition is a hidden epidemic among our most frail – the elderly. One in two older adults is at risk for malnutrition. Some factors that can lead to malnutrition in the elderly have nothing to do with their income level or body size. Malnutrition in those over the age of 65 years often goes unrecognized and under-treated.
Malnutrition occurs when the body does not receive the balance of calories and nutrients to stay healthy. It can affect not only to those who cannot afford nor have access to nutritional food, but it can happen to anyone. Older adults are especially at risk because of one or more factors that come with age. And this lack of nutrition comes at a time in their life when they need it the most!
The consequences of malnutrition in elderly adults are serious and can be fatal. Without proper nutrition, our bodies cannot stay healthy. It can weaken our immune systems making it difficult to fight off disease. Malnutrition leaves our elderly vulnerable to infection, slower recovery time, and slower wound healing. It also causes weight and muscle loss that can lead to frailty, balance issues, falls, broken bones, disability, and loss of independence. Malnutrition can also contribute to disease complications and hospitalization.
You cannot rely on the body size or weight to determine if someone is malnourished. The signs and symptoms in the elderly may be subtle and are sometimes dismissed as a part of normal aging. The two main symptoms are a sudden or unexpected weight loss; or loss of appetite and decreased food intake. If you are concerned with your aging loved one’s nutrition, weight loss, and overall health, consult with their physician.
At Aegis Living, our residents receive meals, snacks, and hydration throughout the day rich in nutrients and balanced for a healthy diet. Our chefs create meals that are appetizing and nourishing with fresh local products and seasonal produce. We understand that taste and smell can change with age, so we take this into careful consideration when menu planning.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.