Many people prefer to take care of their elderly loved ones at home. However, multiple factors prevent this from happening most of the time, including the inability to care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease properly.
If your family member has become too risky to look after at home with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you may want to contemplate memory care. This type of care is an aspect of senior living that delivers in-depth, specialized care for individuals with remembrance problems.
Various assisted living establishments and nursing residences have built special memory care departments for dementia clients. There are also facilities solely focused on memory care.
Memory care is a rising fraction of the senior residence demand, with the number of homes soaring more than 60 percent since 2013. This is according to Seniors Housing Business magazine.
Memory care regulations vary across states, and so does the quality of memory care. It’s vital to tour and express concerns as you evaluate whether memory care is the right choice for your family member.
What makes memory care different?
A memory care facility is designed to provide a comfortable and stable atmosphere with set patterns to reduce anxiety for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Workers procure meals and assist residents with personal care tasks, similar to an assisted living home.
However, they have specific training to handle different problems that frequently occur due to dementia or Alzheimer’s. They inspect residents repeatedly and give additional stability and assistance to help them steer through the day.
The Alzheimer’s Association says that 60 percent of people with the disease tend to roam. That’s why memory care buildings have secured doors, coded elevators, and contained outside areas to keep residents on site. Several offer tracking bands that lend clients the autonomy to explore while being monitored.
The patient’s recreations are formulated to enhance mental function and immerse residents at various phases of the disease.
How To Choose a Memory Care Facility
The Community Resource Finder on the Alzheimer Association’s site is a great place to begin your search for a well-equipped memory care facility. You can also search at AARP. Whichever avenue you choose, be sure to specify memory care, then enter your zip code.
Once you’ve selected a few potential homes for your loved one, you should schedule visits and try turning up unscheduled as well. Here are some components to evaluate during your investigation.
Staff
- Find out the level of training related to both Dementia and Alzheimers the staff members have and if there’s a nurse on staff who resides at the facility.
See how responsive staff members are to the needs of the residents. If you do not see an aggressive situation play out, enquire about how they handle patients with aggressive episodes.
See if they rely entirely on antipsychotic medications that are not a good fit for your family member.
Environment
- The setup in terms of accessibility and the overall physical environment is very crucial. Is the place clean and odor-free? Check if the hallways are circular to prevent client’s getting flustered at dead ends.
- Every area and doors should be clearly labeled so residents can get around quickly. There should be a secure walking area, and overall, residents should not look stressed but more comfortable.
Meals and Activities
- Does the home offer recreations that would keep your family member stimulated physically and mentally? Check if they use pleasant methods to encourage residents to eat their meals.
- It would help if you dined there at least once. If you can’t, your loved one shouldn’t either. Do the staff members know the patients and engage with them?
Complex Care?
- Some patients require extended care and may need to be on a different level of the facility. Ask if they offer that. Find out if they accept Medicaidas well.
- Otherwise, you will have to relocate your family member once their money runs out. Is there any level of behavior or severe health condition that they can’t handle and would require your loved one to leave?
Overall, a memory care facility is the best choice if your family member has Dementia that you are not equipped to handle at home. Once you do your research, finding a good fit should be pretty easy.
