Common Questions

Dignity Senior Homefinder guides families through the process of finding the right senior living or care solution. We offer free, expert help to assist families coping with the many challenges of caring for an aging loved one. We value the trust you place in us in your search for senior care products and services.

We provide a valuable service with resources you can leverage for free. Our Care Advisors can perform research, comparisons, and schedule tours empowering families to well-informed decisions with confidence.

Our team is here to support you. We take time to understand your loved one’s needs, preferences, location, and budget, then recommend personalized options to provide safety, comfort, and peace of mind.

Personalized, Customized Care Plans 

We understand every senior is unique. Our advisors work closely with families to develop individualized care plans that reflect the specific needs, preferences, and lifestyle of your loved one.

No Cost for Clients
Our services are free to you. We are compensated by the senior living communities and facilities.

Peace of Mind
With our comprehensive services, you can rest easy knowing that your loved one is receiving the best possible care. We take care of the details, so you can focus on spending quality time together.

Respect and Dignity
From the initial consultation to the ongoing care process, we ensure your loved one’s dignity is always preserved. We carefully vet all caregivers and facilities to make sure they align with our values of respect, compassion, and care.

Stress-Free Decision-Making
Making senior care decisions can be emotionally and mentally exhausting. We provide clarity and guidance, helping families make informed choices without the pressure and confusion.

A Holistic Approach
We take a comprehensive approach to care by addressing both the physical and emotional needs of your loved one. Our advisors ensure all aspects of well-being are considered in care planning.

Free Expert Guidance: Our team is committed to your satisfaction, we advocate for your loved one to ensure you receive the highest level of expertise, service and care available.

Comprehensive Support: We provide end-to-end solutions, from initial consultation to long-term care planning, ensuring consistency and peace of mind.

Family-Focused Approach: We treat every family like our own, working closely with you to make informed decisions and reduce stress throughout the process.

Dignity at the Core: We prioritize the dignity and respect of your loved one in every decision we make. We believe every senior deserves to live their life with autonomy, dignity, and purpose.

The decision about whether and when an older adult should move from their home is often difficult and emotional. Everyone will have their own reasons for wanting (or not wanting) to take such a step. One person may decide a move is right because they can’t or don’t want to manage the home any longer for another person, the need for regular, hands-on care motivates a change.

Try to learn as much as you can about the available housing options.

These may include:

• Moving to a smaller home, such as from a single-family home to a condominium or apartment
• Moving in with a family member or friend
• Moving to a residential facility, such as an assisted living facility or a nursing home.

The choices for where to live might be limited by factors such as illness, ability to perform activities of daily living (for example, eating, bathing, dressing, and using the toilet), and personal preferences. Money is often part of this decision as well.

In some cases, a move frees up cash for loved ones to afford a more suitable situation. For others, the desire to move to a safer location is hampered by a lack of funds to cover the cost of the new home.

Keep in mind that leaving a home, community, and familiar medical team can be disruptive and difficult, especially if the older person is not enthusiastic about the change. You might first want to explore what services are available in the person’s community to assist them in their home, including home health care, housekeeping, personal care, and transportation services. If a move becomes necessary, look for resources to help the person handle the transition. These may include counseling and support, guidance from health care professionals, and suggestions from Dignity Senior Care Advisors.

It is not always clear whether someone needs help Sometimes a person will recognize that they need help and request it, or an emergency or sudden illness will make it clear that assistance is needed, there are often other signs that indicate someone may need extra support.

The person might not want to worry you, or they might not want to admit that they’re often too tired or sick to cook a meal or clean up. When you spend time at the person’s home, you might notice possible trouble spots

Some examples include:

• Is the person taking their medications and going to their medical  appointments?
• Are they over medicated, sleeping more than usual?
• Can the person prepare meals on a stove safely?
• Are they bathing regularly and wearing appropriate clothing for the weather?
• Is the home relatively clean and free of clutter?

Make sure any potentially dangerous situations are addressed as soon as possible. In addition to safety issues and the overall condition of the home, the person’s mood and general health could indicate a need for help

Sometimes depression in older people is confused with normal aging.

A depressed older person might brighten up for a phone call or short visit, but it’s harder to hide serious mood problems during an extended visit.

Other signs relate to the person’s general health. These include whether they have gained or lost significant weight, have poor hygiene, seem confused, have fallen, seem lonely or isolated, or have trouble walking. Seek help right away if the person says they feel hopeless or have no reason to live, if they’ve lost interest in things they previously enjoyed, or if you’re worried, they may harm themselves. With the older adult’s permission, it can be helpful to check in with others who see them regularly — such as neighbors, friends, doctors, or relatives — and ask these people to call you if they have any concerns.

The most common types of long-term residential facilities are:

Independent Living

This is a lifestyle choice for seniors or individuals with disabilities, allowing them to live autonomously while having access to support services as needed. It emphasizes self-determination and the ability to manage daily activities independently, often within a community setting which offers social engagement and resources and more. Independent living is a lifestyle choice for seniors or individuals with disabilities, allowing them to live autonomously while having access to support services as needed. It emphasizes self-determination and the ability to manage daily activities independently, often within a community setting which offers social engagement and resources and more.

Board and Care Homes 

These small private facilities, also called residential care facilities or group homes, usually have 20 or fewer residents Rooms may be private or shared Residents receive personal care and meals, and staff are usually available around the clock. Nursing and medical care may be available offsite.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living refers to a type of housing designed for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities but want to maintain some level of independence. These facilities provide support with tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management in a community setting offering more resources.

Assisted living is for people who need help with daily care, but not as much help as a nursing home provides. Assisted living facilities range in size from as few as 25 residents to 100 or more. Typically, a few levels of care are offered, and residents pay more if they need extra services or special care.

Assisted living residents usually live in their own apartments or rooms and share common areas. They have access to many services, including up to three meals a day; assistance with personal care; help with medications, housekeeping, and laundry; 24-hour supervision, security, and on-site staff; and social and recreational activities. Some assisted living facilities are part of a larger organization which may also offer other levels of care within their facilities. This option tends to be more expensive than living independently.

Memory Care Facility

This is a specialized care option designed for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of Dementia. These facilities provide 24-hour supervision, secure environments, and tailored activities to enhance the quality of life for residents with memory impairments.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

This type of facility is generally intended for short-term stays or home care often following a hospital discharge. The goal is to provide rehabilitation and medical support to help patients transition back to their homes or to a less intensive care setting. Medical care is provided by licensed professionals, such as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). This type of care is typically required for patients recovering from surgery, illness, or injury and involves a range of medical services; can include physical, occupational therapy to help patients regain their abilities. Administration of medications, wound care, monitoring of vital signs and more.

Choosing the right care option for your loved one can be a daunting task, but with our team of senior care advisors, you’re never alone. Our team will help you navigate the complex landscape of senior care with confidence and compassion.

Identify the Right Care

Choosing the appropriate senior living or care option depends on your loved one’s unique medical, emotional, and social needs. Options can range from independent living, assisted living and residential home care to specialized memory care and skilled nursing facilities. Consulting a primary healthcare professionals and senior care advisor can provide valuable guidance and insight in selecting the best type of care for your loved one.

Determine Your Budget
Understanding the costs associated with different senior living options and factoring in your financial resources is essential for realistic budgeting. Costs can vary by care type and location. We can help you determine your budget and the financial assistance programs available to you.

Create a List of Your Must Have Services and Desirable Amenities

Create a list of must-have services and desirable amenities to refine your search. Use our advisors as a resource to assist and review a shortlist of communities. We can schedule in-person tours to provide crucial insight into the community’s care and quality providing confidence and peace of mind to everyone involved.

Consult with A Senior Care Advisor to Research the Properties in Your Area

Senior Care Advisors provide valuable resources you can leverage for free. Care Advisors can perform research, comparisons, and schedule tours empowering families to well-informed decisions with confidence. This approach supports families in finding senior living options which provide compassionate care, safety, and a vibrant community.

Ongoing Support and Services
Our relationship doesn’t end with placement assistance. We provide ongoing support to ensure your loved one continues to receive exceptional care, and we’re always available to address any concerns. We also offer you our trusted local resources.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that get worse over time. As we age, it’s normal to lose some neurons in the brain. People living with Dementia experience far greater loss. Many neurons stop working, lose connection with other brain cells, and eventually die, at first, symptoms can be mild, but they get worse over time.

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living, such as feeding oneself.

Dementia affects millions of people and is more common as people grow older (about one-third of all people age 85 or older may have some form of dementia) but it is not a normal part of aging. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without any signs of dementia.

Signs and symptoms of dementia result when once-healthy neurons (nerve cells) in the brain stop working, lose connections with other brain cells, and die. While everyone loses some neurons as they age, people with dementia experience far greater loss.

The signs and symptoms can vary depending on the type and may include:

• Experiencing memory loss, poor judgment, and confusion
• Difficulty speaking, understanding and expressing thoughts, or reading and writing
• Wandering and getting lost in a familiar neighborhood
• Trouble handling money responsibly and paying bills
• Repeating questions
• Using unusual words to refer to familiar objects
• Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
• Losing interest in normal daily activities or events
• Hallucinating or experiencing delusions or paranoia
• Acting impulsively
• Not caring about other people’s feelings
• Losing balance and problems with movement

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities can also develop dementia as they age, and in these cases, recognizing their symptoms can be particularly difficult. It’s important to consider a person’s current abilities and to monitor for changes over time that could signal dementia.

5 Different Types of dementia include:

• Alzheimer’s disease, the most common dementia diagnosis among older adults. It is caused by changes in the brain, including abnormal buildups of proteins known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
• Frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of dementia that tends to occur in people younger than 60. It is associated with abnormal amounts or forms of the proteins tau and TDP-43.
• Lewy body dementia, a form of dementia caused by abnormal deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein, called Lewy bodies.
• Vascular dementia, a form of dementia caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain or interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.
• Mixed dementia, a combination of two or more types of dementia. For example, through autopsy studies involving older adults who had dementia, researchers have identified that many people had a combination of brain changes associated with different forms of dementia. Each has different symptoms, age of diagnosis and impact.

Sundowning, also known as “Sundown Syndrome,” is a phenomenon characterized by increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral disturbances in individuals, particularly in the late afternoon and evening. It primarily affects people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive impairments, and its symptoms can be challenging for both the individuals experiencing it and their caregivers. The team at Senior Care AZ, an Arizona senior placement agency, is breaking down this phenomenon, including causes or triggers of sundowning, treatment options, and how to reduce the risks of this occurring each day.

Symptoms of Sundown Syndrome

The symptoms of sundown syndrome can vary from person to person, but they often include a period of increased agitation at a certain time of the day, including increased restlessness, pacing, or fidgeting. Individuals will likely experience a heightened state of confusion, disorientation, and memory problems, and as such, they may become anxious or fearful. Individuals with sundown syndrome may have noticeable irritability, such as sudden changes in mood, accompanied by irritability or mood swings. Visual or auditory hallucinations can be common around this time, which can exacerbate a state of confusion or anxiety and may lead to fear or distress. Some individuals may become physically or verbally aggressive, while others may experience restlessness and may begin wandering or feel the need to pace back and forth. Wandering can be dangerous, especially if an individual is left unsupervised and is able to leave the house, especially as the sun is setting and it becomes more difficult to find someone who has left the home once it becomes dark outside. 

Causes or Triggers of Sundowning

There are several factors that are known to contribute to or trigger sundowning responses in individuals with cognitive difficulties. These may include:

• Fatigue: As the day progresses, individuals may become more tired, increasing their vulnerability to sundowning.
• Low Lighting: Reduced lighting in the evening can lead to disorientation and fear.
• Internal Body Clock: Changes in circadian rhythms can affect sleep-wake cycles, which play a role in sundowning.
• Thirst or Hunger: Dehydration or hunger can exacerbate symptoms.
• Physical Discomfort: Pain, discomfort, or other physical ailments can lead to restlessness and agitation.
• Medication: Certain medications may have side effects that worsen symptoms.
• End of Day Activity: In a busy household, a flurry of activity at the end of the day, from making dinner or cleaning up to unexpected house guests, could contribute to feelings of anxiety and confusion and lead to a sundowning episode. 
• Sensory Impairment: Individuals who are dealing with a loss of hearing can become easily startled, which could lead them to have feelings of anxiety and confusion. This can lead to nervousness and heightened fears as the day goes on and they become more tired. 
• Internal Imbalance: Some individuals deal with hormonal changes or disruptions in the internal biological clock, which regulate the condition between waking and sleeping hours. This may prevent them from sleeping a full night, resulting in extreme tiredness or fatigue, which can contribute to the symptoms of a sundowning episode. 

Can Medication Cause Sundowning?

Yes, medication can contribute to or exacerbate sundowning. Some drugs, especially those with side effects like confusion, restlessness, or agitation, may increase the risk of sundowning in susceptible individuals. It’s crucial to work with healthcare professionals to manage medications and their potential impact on sundowning.

How Long Does Sundowning Last?

Sundowning episodes can vary in duration. They might last for a few hours, most commonly in the late afternoon or evening. It is essential to keep in mind that sundowning is a temporary condition, and the symptoms tend to improve as the evening progresses or with appropriate interventions.

Sundown Syndrome Treatment

Effective management of sundowning involves a combination of strategies:

• Environmental Adjustments: Ensure a well-lit environment in the evening to reduce confusion and disorientation. Maintain a comfortable room temperature and reduce noise levels.
• Consistent Routine: Establish a regular daily schedule, including fixed meal and bedtime times. Predictability can help reduce agitation.
• Medication Management: Consult with a healthcare provider to evaluate medications and their potential impact on sundowning. Adjustments may be necessary to minimize side effects.
• Minimize Stimulants: Reduce caffeine and sugar intake, especially in the afternoon and evening.
• Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure the individual is adequately hydrated and well-fed throughout the day.
• Physical Activity: Encourage regular exercise to reduce restlessness and promote better sleep.
• Calm Activities: Engage in soothing activities, such as listening to calming music, reading, or gentle massages.
• Family and Caregiver Support: Caregivers should seek support, as coping with sundowning can be challenging. Enlist the help of family members or professional caregivers when necessary.

Tips for Reducing Sundowning

While sundowning can be distressing, there are several strategies that can help reduce its impact, including creating a relaxing evening routine. Encouraging loved ones to engage in calming activities before bedtime, such as reading or gentle stretches, can help calm them down and avoid feelings of anxiety or agitation. Bright lights or screens can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to fatigue and tiredness, so limited screen time and reduced exposure to screens or bright lights in the evening may be beneficial. Encourage exposure to natural light during the day to help regulate the sleep-wake cycle and keep the body’s natural circadian rhythms on track. Excessive daytime napping can interfere with nighttime sleep patterns, so limiting naps during the daytime in favor of a full night’s sleep could be beneficial to the reduction of sundowning. 

As always, it is important to approach individuals experiencing sundowning with patience and empathy. Reassure them and provide comfort. Remember that aggression or anxiety is not personal, and it is simply a symptom of a cognitive issue. Help them through the episode and make a care plan for what you can do in the future to reduce sundowning and help your loved one feel safe and comfortable should another episode occur. If sundowning is a persistent issue, consult a healthcare professional or specialist for guidance and tailored interventions. By understanding the nature of sundowning and implementing appropriate strategies, individuals with dementia and their caregivers can better manage this challenging aspect of cognitive decline.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a brain disorder that slowly destroys a person’s memory and thinking skills. It is characterized by a loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Eventually, people with Alzheimer’s lose the ability to perform simple daily tasks, such as eating or walking. For most people with this specific type of dementia, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s.

Current estimates suggest more than 6 million Americans age 65 and older may have Alzheimer’s. Age is the biggest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and rates of the disease are expected to rise as the population ages.

Alzheimer’s first damages the parts of the brain involved in memory. It later affects areas responsible for language, reasoning, and social behavior. Eventually, the disease damages many other areas of the brain.

A hallmark feature of Alzheimer’s is the buildup of abnormal clumps of proteins in the brain. These clumps, called amyloid plaques and tau tangles, disrupt the usual functions of brain cells.

The loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) is another change that happens with the disease. Neurons send messages between different parts of the brain, and from the brain to muscles and organs in the body. With Alzheimer’s, many neurons stop functioning properly, lose connections with other neurons, and eventually die. Many other complex brain changes are thought to play a role in the disease as well.

Myths

• Alzheimer’s disease is caused by old age and that’s why it is commonly called old-timer’s disease.
• Alzheimer’s and dementia are unrelated.
• Alzheimer’s disease is detected and diagnosed early.
• Only men develop Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented and cured.
• People with Alzheimer’s Disease can live independently without support.
• Alzheimer’s disease does not impair memory.
• Alzheimer’s disease does not change bodily functions.
• Alzheimer’s disease is a mental health disorder.
• Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal.

Facts

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or another dementia. Every individual may experience one or more signs of memory deficit in different degrees and may be due to other things than dementia.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
• Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia.
• Dementia is also caused by other diseases and conditions.
• Less than half of people with Alzheimer’s disease or their caregivers report being informed of their diagnosis.
• It is characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving and other cognitive skills that affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. This decline occurs because nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain involved in cognitive function have been damaged and no longer function normally.
• In Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal damage eventually affects parts of the brain that enable a person to carry out basic bodily functions such as walking and swallowing.
• People in the final stages of the disease are bed-bound and require around-the-clock care.
• Although the latest edition of the manual, DSM-5, classifies dementia as a neurocognitive disorder, and physicians refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to guide them in determining if an individual has dementia and, if so, the condition causing dementia. AD is not a mental disorder. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills.
• Alzheimer’s disease cannot be prevented, slowed down or cured.
• Alzheimer’s disease is ultimately fatal.
• In Arizona Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth-leading cause of mortality.
• Alzheimer's disease typically progresses slowly in three general stages: mild (early-stage), moderate (middle-stage), and severe (late-stage).
• The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worsen over time, although the rate at which the disease progresses vary. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives four to eight years after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors.
• Changes in the brain related to Alzheimer’s disease begin years before any signs of the disease. This time period, which can last for years, is referred to as preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
• Having trouble with memory does not mean you have Alzheimer's. Many health issues can cause problems with memory and thinking. When dementia-like symptoms are caused by treatable conditions — such as depression, drug interactions, thyroid problems, excess use of alcohol or certain vitamin deficiencies — they may be reversed.

Reference: Arizona Department of Health Services, 5/9/26

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s can vary from one person to another. Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of the disease. Decline in non-memory aspects of cognition, such as finding the right word, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also signal the early stages of Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe and include increased confusion and behavior changes.

For most people with Alzheimer’s — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before age 65, it’s considered early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can begin as early as a person’s 30s, although this is rare.

Five Stages

Each person's experience with Alzheimer's can vary, and the progression through these stages may not follow a strict timeline.

Doctors use several methods and tools to help determine whether a person who is having memory problems has Alzheimer’s.

To diagnose Alzheimer’s, doctors may:

• Ask the person and a family member or friend questions about overall health, use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diet, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality.
• Conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language.
• Order blood, urine, and other standard medical tests to help identify other possible causes of the problem.
• Administer tests to determine if depression or another mental health condition is causing or contributing to a person’s symptoms.
• Collect cerebrospinal fluid via a spinal tap or order blood tests to measure the levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
• Perform brain scans, such as CT, MRI, or PET (positron emission tomography), to support an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or to rule out other possible causes for symptoms.

These tests may be repeated to give doctors information about how the person’s memory and other cognitive functions are changing over time.

People with memory and thinking concerns should talk to their doctor to find out whether their symptoms are due to Alzheimer’s or to another cause, such as stroke, tumor, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disturbances, side effects of medication, an infection, or another type of dementia. Some of these conditions may be treatable and, possibly, reversible.

If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, beginning treatment as early as possible in the disease process may help preserve daily functioning for a while. An early diagnosis also helps families plan for the future. They can take care of financial and legal matters, address potential safety issues, learn about living arrangements, and develop support networks.

In addition, an early diagnosis provides people with more opportunities to participate in clinical trials or studies testing possible new treatments for Alzheimer’s.