Choosing the Right Memory Care Community
At Helping Hands for Seniors, we understand how difficult it is to watch a loved one struggle with memory loss and suffer from cognitive decline. A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can come along with a lot of decisions, throughout the entire progression of the disease. This often includes choosing a memory care facility.
Caring for someone with memory loss presents unique challenges to keep them healthy and safe. This often requires specialized memory care and support that goes far beyond the standard services provided by a regular assisted living facility. Individuals with memory loss may eventually need 24-hour care and may become a danger to themselves. A memory care community is better equipped to care for these individuals with expert medical care while also keeping them physically active and engaged, even as their disease progresses.
Memory care communities commonly provide these services for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease:
- Round the clock 24-hour care and supervision.
- Monitoring and treatment of the memory loss disease as well as any other medical conditions.
- A comfortable, calming environment that is easy for individuals to navigate and go about their daily life.
- Assistance with daily tasks and hygiene.
- Enriching, engaging activities to suit all levels of cognitive ability and enhance the life of residents. This may include sensory stimulation and art, music, or pet therapy.
Transitioning to living in a memory care community can be emotionally onerous for both the individual and their loved ones. It is crucial to choose the best fitting community to ease this transition and so that they receive the very best care for their unique needs.
Throughout the process of searching and moving into a memory care community, remember that peace of mind eventually awaits you when your loved one will be properly cared for by qualified caregivers.
With so many options for senior and memory care communities, it’s important to ask the right questions to determine which one is the best fit for your loved one. A few things to consider and some common questions we recommend asking include:
- Does the community seem comfortable and pleasant? Is it clean, bright, and functional? How are the outdoor grounds?
- How secure and safe is the facility? What methods are in place to prevent wandering or patients from escaping the grounds?
- Can this memory care community accommodate individuals at various stages of memory loss and dementia?
- What type of assessment is required before acceptance and move-in to determine a resident’s cognitive function and overall health? Then how often is the assessment repeated for residents to adjust the care plan and needed services?
- Are care plans personalized for each individual’s unique needs?
- What’s the resident-to-staff ratio?
- What training is required of the staff and caregivers? Do they have specialized memory and dementia care training?
- What activities are provided for residents? How often are social events planned for the community? Would your loved one enjoy partaking in these activities and events?
Knowing your loved one’s unique needs, asking plenty of questions, and being informed on memory facilities and services will lead you to choosing the right memory care community for you. Remember to follow your instincts.
Helping Hands for Seniors is here for you as an expert resource to provide support and guidance throughout this transition to memory care and assisted living. Please feel free to reach out and contact us through the form on our website. You can also call us at 503-746-8846 or by emailing info@helpinghandspdx.com.