How Regular Routines in Memory Care Help People with Dementia
When an elderly loved one receives an Alzheimer’s disease or dementia diagnosis, the entire family must prepare for new care strategies as the condition progresses. One of the most impactful strategies is having the person stick to a good daily routine that helps them retain a sense of control over their lives as their cognitive skills begin to diminish.
As a Senior Living Advisor and dementia specialist (Mike McClernon, 516-254-9481), I’ve had the pleasure of recommending many wonderful Memory Care communities on Long Island. These communities implement routines that give residents the best quality of life possible, bringing families peace of mind that their loved ones are getting the best care possible.
Memory Care communities are senior living centers offering a specialized living environment for people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Families often opt to place loved ones in Memory Care when their relative’s health and safety are at risk while living independently. For example, if the person starts wandering away, losing physical mobility, falling repeatedly, or becoming frustrated and aggressive, placement into Memory Care is a wise move to keep them safe.
Routines in Memory Care, such as set mealtimes, scheduled activities, and regular bedtimes, are in place to help the person manage memory and cognitive issues.
However, it’s important to note that no one in Memory Care is forced into a routine that makes them uncomfortable. Each routine is customized to the individual and considers several factors, including their likes and dislikes, strengths and abilities, activities that bring them comfort, times of day they function best, and which previous at-home routines worked best for them.
Memory Care routines generally revolve around the following areas:
- Personal care such as dressing, bathing, and grooming
- Physical activities
- Social activities
- Spiritual activities
- Intellectual activities such as puzzles, music, or reading
- Creative tasks including painting, art, and crafts
A Senior Living Advisor will help match you with the best-suited Senior Living Community based on the above factors. Our goal is to help ensure your loved one finds a place where they will have a suitable daily routine that will bring as much joy as possible into their everyday life while enjoying many valuable health and wellness benefits, including:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Older adults with dementia can sometimes feel elevated levels of stress and anxiety if they don’t have control over their day. This is especially true if the person lives at home and doesn’t know what the day has in store for them. A Memory Care routine explicitly designed for people with dementia can help significantly reduce these feelings as it gives them a clear plan to follow every day. Eventually, these daily routines will become almost second nature, creating better days full of happiness and anticipation.
Increased feelings of security
Keeping your elderly loved ones on a daily routine creates a safe environment that gives them more control over their lives. They’ll also have an increased sense of stability and security without worrying about unexpected occurrences they feel they wouldn’t be able to handle.
Better retention of abilities
Daily activities in Memory Care focus on cognitive stimulation, allowing the resident to do as many of them as possible on their own. The more they do these activities, the higher the chance that their abilities will remain as they move into the later stages of the condition.
More restful, restorative sleep
An essential part of the daily Memory Care routine is establishing regular bedtimes. Getting enough sleep can help improve your loved one’s mood, general disposition, and overall health and give the brain enough rest to handle the next day’s activities. A routine bedtime is also an effective way to help them sleep without the use of medications or other treatments.
The staff in Memory Care is trained to keep an eye out for which parts of your loved one’s routine bring a positive reaction and if any cause anxiety or stress. Identifying any issues is crucial to creating a routine that makes the resident feel as comfortable as possible, helping them have a great day, every day.
No-cost help finding Assisted Living or Memory Care on Long Island
Memory Care communities are the best places for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to get the support they need to feel happy, fulfilled, and safe. When looking for the right community for your loved one on Long Island, contact Mike McClernon of Assisted Living Locators.
Mike has collaborated with hundreds of families just like yours to help find the most appropriate Assisted Living or Memory Care Community for their older relatives. He will ensure you have all the information you need to decide where your loved ones will thrive and be well-cared for during their vintage years.
Contact Mike today at 516-254-9481 or mikem@assistedlivinglocators.com to explore Senior Living Community options for the older person in your life. His phone is always on!