Caring for a loved one takes compassion and dedication. But when your family member is struggling with more serious issues, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, another form of dementia, or memory loss, you might begin to wonder if home care is truly the best choice for their quality of life. In some situations, a senior care facility will be the safest, most comfortable, and most engaging place your loved one can enjoy for the rest of their lives.
The struggle many families face once they decide to find a care community is deciphering which type of facility will best suit their loved one’s needs and lifestyle. There are plenty of options with ranges of care from a nursing home to assisted living to independent living, but people with memory loss may need more attention. Those with memory loss often respond best to a memory care community where the staff is trained to address their specific needs.
It’s not uncommon for someone to look at an assisted living facility when their family member starts to show signs of memory problems. These communities offer high levels of care, sometimes even with personalized plans. They often employ a 24/7 nursing staff to provide help with activities of daily living (ADLs), organize community activities and opportunities for individual enrichment, and have community dining areas where residents can enjoy company at meal times.
Although this may sound like exactly what you hope to have for your loved one, memory loss residents often need more specialized care to continue a comfortable life. This type of care is what memory care communities and memory care units specialize in.
Memory care staff are specially trained in areas like Alzheimer’s and dementia care. They work with patients to reduce common side effects of memory loss, such as anxiety, confusion, and wandering. There are also specialized activities in memory care communities to help exercise and stimulate residents’ brains. Things like music therapy, arts and crafts sessions, and outdoor time can all help to keep the brain active and give residents much-valued social time.
Some doctors may prescribe memory loss patients a special diet to address other issues their condition could cause, such as trouble swallowing. For this reason, memory care facilities often offer a variety of nutritional options for their residents and can easily adhere to prescribed diets. Like assisted living communities, they also offer a restaurant-style dining area where residents can mingle and chat with friends while they enjoy meals.
Safety is a heightened concern with memory loss residents because of their tendency to wander or suddenly become confused. Memory care communities take extra precautions to make sure their residents are safe. In addition to safety precautions like wide hallways and grab rails, staff make their living quarters feel like home by adding pictures of family and personal effects can help residents not become confused as often. Additionally, door alarms, motion sensor lights, and one-touch sinks help residents safely navigate everyday life.
Keeping someone with memory loss safe requires special care especially if they experience confusion or wander. Memory care communities are often designed to help. The best communities combine intentional spaces and layouts with attentive staff to ensure the safest possible environment.
If your loved one is struggling with Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, or other memory loss, then a memory care facility can offer them the safety, comfort, personal care they need. These facilities can provide the specialized care and extra support that assisted living communities aren’t equipped to offer.
Finding any type of senior living can feel overwhelming, and memory care is no exception. When it comes to finding the right care community for your loved one, there is a lot to consider, but there are some questions that can help you find quality care that matches your needs.
Living with memory problems can be dangerous. Even with in-home health care, there are typically long stretches where your loved one may be home alone or with only their spouse. These times can present dangerous situations in which a loved one may become confused, disoriented, or even violent if they’re scared.
Placing your loved one in a memory care community can help them stay safe and often improves their quality of life. They will have a dedicated staff overseeing their care and have opportunities to meet new people they wouldn’t have had in their homes if they are no longer mobile. Still, knowing when it’s time to forgo home health help or being the caregiver yourself can be difficult.
There are five signs you can look for in your family member to see if they are suffering from memory loss problems or the early stages of dementia.
At Weatherly Inn, we work hard to provide the best possible care for our memory care residents. From our variety of care options and personalized care plans to the carefully crafted environment and meticulously planned activities, our facilities are designed with the residents’ well-being in mind.
All of Weatherly Inn’s locations feature a safe environment that feels like home. We hope to make long-term care feel like residential care by adding personal effects and family photos to our residents’ rooms. This can be especially helpful in easing the transition for memory care residents. We also offer plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces where residents can safely wander and explore as they enjoy the company of others and the beauty of nature.
Social interaction is critical for people with memory loss, so we make sure to create plenty of opportunities for our residents to interact with staff and each other. We plan special events for our memory care residents and also encourage them to attend community-wide events and meet new people.
We also offer fun activities throughout the week to break up the humdrum of daily routine, some of which are tailored specifically to our memory care patients. There are exercise classes, pet interactions — all of our facilities are even pet-friendly — music therapy sessions, and scenic drives through town. This gives residents a chance to get out of their rooms or out of the facility and do something fun with their day.
Our caregivers provide round-the-clock care with things like medication management, daily activities, and dressing and grooming. Our 24/7 licensed nursing is here to monitor which medications each resident needs and ensure they receive the right doses each day. They also help with transporting patients who have mobility issues and encouraging them to keep doing their best with things they can still manage on their own.
Schedule a tour to get a closer look at our memory care program and see how we can meet your loved one’s needs.