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March 28, 2022As the family member or caregiver of a person struggling with memory loss, witnessing mental deterioration can be heartbreaking. If the time has come to explore care options, it’s important to understand what memory care is and how to choose the right facility for your loved one.
Dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s can feel like an uphill battle, but with proper memory care your loved one can thrive. With purpose driven activities, life enhancing services, trained memory care specialists, and an enjoyable, comfortable living space your loved one will feel at home and receive the care they need.
What is memory care?
Memory care refers to a specialized form of care for seniors who struggle with memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other forms of cognitive impairment issues. Seniors receive specialized care from staff members trained specifically in this area of geriatric care with a focus on keeping seniors engaged, safe, and comfortable.
Memory care activities and services
An essential part of memory care are the activities and services focused on stimulating your loved one both physically and mentally. It’s important to remember that every individual has different levels of capabilities. The following activities should promote stimulation and not stress for your loved one.
– Group walks and gatherings for social interaction
– Exercises that work to improve muscle strength and balance
– Music therapy that helps to boost the mood and control emotions
– Art therapy that helps to increase self-expression
– Mental health services for anxiety and depression
– Arts and crafts activities for sensory stimulation
– Games that encourage fine motor skills like checkers or bingo
Questions to ask when choosing a memory care facility
When the time comes to make the decision to place your loved one in a memory care facility, it’s vital that you tour the location and ask plenty of questions of the staff and administration. Some questions to ask are:
– Is there a medical professional on staff 24/7?
– What memory care training has the staff received?
– What on-site medical services are available?
– What are the provided daily activities?
– How secure is the facility?
– What meal plans are offered and what is included?
– What is the staff-to-resident ratio both day and night?
– What is the response when a patient becomes disoriented or combative?
– How regularly do you provide health and well-being updates?
– Are residents grouped by cognitive level?
– What is your pricing structure and what is covered?
– Are background checks performed for every employee?
Red flags
There are certain things you should be on the lookout for when touring a facility. These include:
– Residents are not well groomed or properly dressed
– Staff members are not actively engaging with residents
– Residents do not seem happy
– The facility is not well lit, easy to navigate or is not clean
– The staff is not willing to answer your questions
– It appears that television is being used excessively to keep residents occupied
– Admissions policy and facility pricing are unclear
– Insufficient safety protocols in place like smoke alarms, window locks, handrails, non-slip flooring, and exit signs
– The facility has received complaints or violations
– Staff does not appear to be friendly or compassionate
Skilled Nursing vs. Memory Care
Both skilled nursing care and memory care facilities provide 24/7 assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as hygiene and personal care, medication management, housekeeping and so on. Expert medical care is also provided around the clock. The difference between the two is that skilled nursing focuses on short-term care and rehabilitation, whereas memory care focuses on the long term care for patients with memory loss.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care
The biggest difference between assisted living and memory care facilities is the level of care required by residents. Assisted living facilities are designed for seniors who largely remain independent, but may need help with various day to day activities. Residents in an assisted living facility also do not require 24 hour medical care.
Residents in a memory care facility, on the other hand, do require 24 hour medical care and supervision. The main focus of a memory care facility is to address memory related challenges such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Conclusion
When the decision must be made to place a senior loved one in a care facility, family members and caregivers can experience overwhelming emotional stress when trying to find the best care facility. It’s important to remember that you are not alone.
Elderberry Healthcare offers a warm and safe environment for those who, for whatever reason, should not live alone. Residents may range from being very independent to being physically and/or memory challenged. If the need ever arises, Elderberry’s Skilled Nursing Services are just down the hall. There is no need to move to a different building and the experienced and helpful administration is the same regardless of the level of care! Contact us today to learn more.