How Being in Memory Care Benefits Older People with Dementia
- What is Memory Care?
- What are the benefits of Memory Care?
- Get help finding Memory Care on Long Island
Many families who have a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia understand the challenges posed by caring for the older person at home. Since dementia conditions are both degenerative and progressive, the challenges will only become increasingly prevalent and potentially more dangerous.
This is why families begin to look for alternate care options once an older adult moves beyond the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. One of the more popular care solutions is to move the loved one into a full-time Memory Care community.
What is Memory Care?
Although dedicated Memory Care facilities resemble assisted living communities in many ways, Memory Care “units” or free standing communities vary on the type of resident they accept. Some only accept people diagnosed with degenerative cognitive impairment conditions, while others accept all applicants who, on a practical basis, need the increased support that a true Memory Care community can provide. All services, treatments, amenities, residences, and policies are specially designed to provide the best support for older people in cognitive decline.
Memory Care staff specialize in working with people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and, in many cases, hold specialized credentials. Having specially trained and qualified staff means elevated care and the best quality of life possible for the older adult in your life.
What are the benefits of Memory Care?
Older adults with memory impairment are well-cared for in Memory Care communities. Every aspect of living is designed for their well-being.
Here are some of the main benefits people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia enjoy in Memory Care:
- Specialized, empathetic care: Caregivers in Memory Care must undergo formal training specifically for people in cognitive decline. This focused training enables them to meet your loved one’s unique needs better and provide the support necessary to keep them engaged and content.
- Customized living quarters: People with cognitive impairments can sometimes become confused in their own homes. Memory Care residences are designed so the older person always has clear sightlines in their living space, preventing them from becoming disoriented. The apartments, too, in Memory Care tend to be smaller and simpler.
- Enhanced safety measures: Memory Care communities, including the individual living spaces, are designed to prevent wandering, a common and potentially dangerous occurrence with people who have dementia. These safety tools and policies ensure that the older adult is accounted for at all times.
- Flexible care planning: Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are degenerative conditions that can quickly change people’s needs. Memory Care staff keeps care plans flexible to ensure they always address the person’s current situation. Families are encouraged to collaborate with their loved one’s Memory Care team on their care plan.
- Behavioral support: Changes in the brains of older adults with declining memory can often cause the person to become confused, frustrated, or even aggressive. Memory Care staff are trained to work with people experiencing a mood change, using empathetic and progressive tools to defuse potentially dangerous situations.
- Cognitive stimulation: Memory Care communities offer plenty of opportunities for adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to stay engaged. Staff uses mental stimulation tools such as puzzles, games, and especially music to bring joy and fun into the lives of older people.
- Medication management: The older person’s cognitive impairment might cause them to take their medications improperly or possibly not at all. Memory Care staff provides reliable medication management for both over-the-counter and prescription medicines. You can rest assured that your loved one will be getting the proper dosage at the correct times.
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL): ADLs are all the things we’ve always done for ourselves but can become difficult for an older adult with a cognitive condition. ADLs can include bathing, toileting, dressing, brushing teeth and hair, housekeeping, laundry, and more. Memory Care staff are fully trained to help your loved one with these tasks, ensuring that their dignity is maintained while assisting with grooming and hygiene.
- Healthy meal plans: Most Memory Care facilities offer nutritious meals prepared three times per day by professional chefs. There may also be healthy snack options available on demand. All menus are customizable for specific dietary needs, practices, and, in specific communities, religious requirements. Assistance with eating is also available in many Memory Care communities.
- Transportation services: If your loved one has an appointment outside of the Memory Care community, transportation and accompaniment are often available when needed.
- Support groups for families: Many Memory Care facilities provide support groups for families whose loved one is under their care. These groups strive to help reduce the emotional weight of the transition for families because they are also part of the Memory Care community.
Get help finding Memory Care on Long Island
Finding the right Memory Care community can be overwhelming for families who want the best for their older loved ones. In Nassau and Suffolk County there are at least 40 Memory Care communities. With so many options out there, you need peace of mind that you’re making the best choice possible.
Assisted Living Locators of Long Island helps make the entire process both easier and quicker. We understand the ins and outs of the Assisted Living and Memory Care communities and know which details you should be aware of to give your loved one the best possible care.
We take the time to get to know all the older person’s needs, wants, requirements, and budget to develop best-match recommendations that will meet them. We accompany you on Memory Care facility tours, ask questions on your behalf, and ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
When it’s time to explore Long Island Memory Care options for your loved one, contact Assisted Living Locators of Long Island for expert advice, guidance, and support that’s always in your corner.