Deciding to send someone you love to a senior living facility is never an easy choice. Asking your parents or other elderly loved ones to leave the home that they’ve lived in for most of their lives is difficult. But when your loved one requires care for memory loss, a senior living facility may be the best option.
If you’re on the fence about transitioning your loved one to an assisted living facility, keep reading. We’re breaking down why senior living facilities that specialize in memory care are the best option to get help for seniors living with dementia.
A Peace of Mind for the Family
First and foremost, the major benefit of a memory care unit is the peace of mind it will bring you and the rest of your family. When a person with memory loss lives on their own, it comes with a lot of stress. But with a memory care unit, you will know that your loved one is being given the best treatment and being treated with respect.
24/7 Care and Attention
You get this peace of mind because you know they’re going to be cared for around the clock. Memory care units aren’t like traditional assisted living communities. They have staff around the clock and always available to help your loved ones when they need it.
If you’ve ever cared for someone with a memory loss issue, you know that they can become distressed and need help at any time of the day. Many of them wake up in the middle of the night, confused and disoriented. When no one is there to help, it gets even scarier.
Memory care facilities take that worry off of your shoulders.
Memory Care Specific Construction
Most memory care facilities are built to care for folks with memory issues in mind. Most facilities have doors that can only be opened with a special code or a key card.
Folks with dementia tend to wander. When left on their own, it’s not uncommon to hear of elderly patients with dementia wandering out on the street and becoming lost.
You won’t have to worry about that at a memory care unit. All of the building’s access points, including stairwells and elevators, should be secured with a code.
Specially Trained Staff
The best memory care facilities will have a well-trained staff. Caring for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is a complicated process and for caregivers to truly understand how to do the job, they need specialized training.
Everyone from the top of the company all the way down to the custodial support should be educated on how to care for people with cognitive issues. The care they receive must be systemic, meaning that everyone who comes in contact with the patient has the same approach.
Trained staff will be able to help bring residents down from aggravating situations and make their lives more comfortable.
A Custom Resident Experience
Another important aspect of a good memory care facility is that every patient will have a custom care plan. No two people are alike and no two residents with cognitive issues are alike either. No two treatment plans should look the same.
Your loved ones will have a routine that is crafted to suit their needs. The time they wake up, have meals, bathe, and dress should be tailored to their schedule. The facility must work to stimulate them physically and cognitively.
Your loved ones can experience their favorite activities at their own pace and you can rest assured that they’re being kept safe.
Low Staff-to-Resident Radio
Most memory care centers also have a smaller staff-to-resident ratio. In a traditional assisted living center, there are typically 15+ residents on a single floor and only 2-3 nurses on staff to care for them at a time. But in a memory care unit, there is usually around 1 nurse for every 2-3 patients.
The ratio must stay small because taking care of a patient with cognitive impairment is more complicated than a typical senior. They require more 1-on-1, round-the-clock care.
Coordinated Care With Health Providers
A good senior living center that specializes in memory care will also help your loved ones keep all of their health care information organized. If you are closely involved with their health care providers, you know how complicated it can be to keep all of their information straight and keep communication between doctors open.
Memory care facilities make your loved ones’ health a top priority. They keep thorough records on every doctor’s visit and closely monitor all medicine intake to ensure that they’re getting the care and attention they need.
A Home-Like Setting
Lastly, a good memory care facility will feel like home. It’s normal to be worried that your loved ones may wind up spending their days in highly sterile settings with no enrichment, but that’s simply not the case. Memory care facilities are designed to feel as close to home as possible.
They’ll have plenty of companionship, enrichment, and round-the-clock care. Their environment will be set up to be comfortable, homey, and warm.
Plus, memory care units strongly encourage their residents’ families to stay active and involved. You’ll be able to have a hand in how their day is structured and you’ll be encouraged to visit as often as you can to help them feel more at home.
Memory Care for Better Senior Living
As you can see, senior living centers that focus on memory care are the best place to put your loved ones with cognitive issues. Whether they’re dealing with memory loss from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, there is a senior living facility that can help them live their lives as independently as possible while still helping them stay safe.
Give yourself some peace of mind and find a memory care center for your cognitively impaired loved one today.
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