When caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia becomes too difficult, you may want to consider looking into memory care. Memory care is a form of specialized residential care for people living with memory issues. These communities typically feature secure environments where nurses and doctors can closely monitor the residents.
Our team at Sage House Senior Care has put together a comprehensive guide on memory care facilities, including what makes memory care facilities different from other retirement communities and what to look for when choosing a facility for your loved ones.
What Makes Memory Care Different From Other Assisted Living Facilities?
Memory care differs from other assisted living facilities because the routines and environment are geared explicitly towards lowering stress for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Nurses and other staff members provide meals and help residents with day-to-day tasks. They also check in more frequently with residents, provide extra support, and handle unique situations that arise as a result of memory loss.
Since people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are more prone to wandering, memory care facilities tend to have alarmed doors, enclosed outdoor spaces, and elevators that require a code. Most facilities also offer tracking bracelets that allow staff members to monitor residents’ locations.
What to Look For in a Memory Care Facility
Searching for a memory care facility for your loved one is no easy task. It’s important that you do your research and find a facility that you can trust implicitly to care for your loved one.
Here are some factors to consider during your search.
Location and Layout
One of the first things to look out for when visiting memory care facilities is checking the layout and location. You’ll want to take note of the community’s cleanliness, whether rooms and doors are clearly labeled, and if residents seem happy.
Staff Members
The COVID-19 pandemic hit long-term care facilities hard, leaving many short-staffed. Ask about shortages at the communities you visit and see how the staff interacts with residents. Are they quick to react? What extra training do staff members receive related to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Activities and Food
When looking for a memory care facility for your loved one, it’s essential to consider what activities are offered to keep them engaged and the strategies staff members use to get residents to eat. You wouldn’t want to choose a facility where your loved one is left alone by themselves for hours on end or doesn’t eat because the staff do not have the proper training to help those with memory loss.
Continuing Care for Residents
Some memory care facilities don’t provide complex medical care. Find out what health conditions and behaviors the staff at the facility can and cannot treat and what would require them to move your loved one to a more expensive part of the facility or another location altogether.
It’s also worth asking each community you tour if they accept Medicare. If not, you may have to move your loved one when they run out of money or if their Social Security isn’t enough to cover the total.
Sage House Senior Care: Offering the Best Assisted Living in Arizona
Sage House Senior Care eliminates any worries that distract from spending time with your aging loved ones. We provide luxury residences with the comfort and atmosphere of home and experienced, dedicated staff ready to assist with daily tasks.
Need help setting up the right care for your aging loved one? Contact us at Sage House Senior Care by calling 602-976-7289 or send us a message via our contact form.