Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is a heroic journey. As a caregiver, your dedication and love shine brightly, but it’s important to remember that this journey is not one you need to take alone.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association:
- Over 11 million Americans provide care to a loved one
- Around 30 percent of dementia caregivers are 65 or older
- About two-thirds of these caregivers are women
- An overwhelming majority of caregivers live with their family member with dementia
You are not alone, and it’s wonderful that you’re seeking ways to maintain a strong connection with your spouse.
Whether you plan on seeking a care home for couples or senior care options for only one of you, this blog will provide essential tips to help keep your bond strong while ensuring you and your partner receive the necessary care.
1. Stay Involved in Their Daily Life
Even if your spouse has moved into a memory care community, staying involved in their daily life can help maintain your connection. Visit regularly, join them for meals, and participate in activities together. Your presence provides comfort and reminds them of your love and support.
Initial Adjustment Period
- Frequent Visits: Visit often in the initial weeks to help your spouse feel more secure and supported.
- Be Patient: Understand that adjusting to a new environment takes time. Be patient and offer reassurance. Avoid lying and use redirection techniques if they express they want to leave.
Engaging in Activities Together
- Join Community Events: Participate in the social activities offered by the memory care community. This provides shared experiences and helps create new memories.
- Simple Activities: Engage in simple, enjoyable activities like reading a book aloud, watching a favorite movie, or doing puzzles together.
Gradually Reducing Visit Frequency
- Consistent Routine: Establish a consistent visiting schedule that gradually becomes less frequent to help your spouse adapt to their new routine.
- Quality Time: Focus on the quality of your visits rather than the quantity. Make each visit meaningful and enjoyable.
- Encourage Independence: Encourage your spouse to engage with other residents and participate in community activities on their own, fostering independence and helping them feel more at home while in long-term care.
2. Communicate Effectively
Communication can be challenging, but it’s crucial. Speak clearly and calmly, use simple sentences, and maintain eye contact. Even if verbal communication becomes difficult, non-verbal cues like holding hands, smiling, and gentle touches can convey your affection and reassurance.
3. Create a Familiar Environment
Personalize their living space with familiar items such as memorable photos, favorite books, or a cherished blanket. These items can provide comfort and a sense of familiarity, making the transition to memory care easier for both of you.
4. Participate in Memory Care Activities
Most memory care facilities or communities offer a calendar of events and social activities designed for residents and their families. Engaging in these activities together can provide joyful shared experiences and opportunities to bond. It also helps maintain a routine, which can be comforting for you and your spouse.
At Pegasus Senior Living communities, our Connections memory care program is available nationwide. Developed with insights from Dr. Sandra Petersen, our Senior Vice President of Health and Wellness, this program features the Connect, Move, Learn activity sequence to slow memory loss progression:
- Connect: This step focuses on emotional bonds through activities like spiritual discussions, current events, and music appreciation sessions, fostering a sense of community and stimulating the brain.
- Move: Emphasizes physical activities such as yoga, dancing, and balloon volleyball, which benefit mental well-being and cardiovascular health.
- Learn: Math exercises, puzzles, and art therapy engage the logical side of the brain, helping keep the mind sharp.
The Connections program is tailored to support all stages of dementia, ensuring each resident receives the right level of care and engagement.
5. Join a Support Group
Joining a group can offer you emotional support and practical advice from others in similar situations. Sharing your experiences and hearing from others can reduce feelings of isolation and provide new ideas for maintaining your connection with your spouse.
6. Consider Senior Living Options to Stay Together
Consider joining your loved one in a Pegasus Senior Living community. We offer various levels of care to ensure both partners receive personalized support.
Our communities provide the care services needed to maintain a high quality of life for senior couples. This way, you can continue to live together and support each other while receiving the specialized care each of you may need. We also provide assisted living for couples who may require additional services in the future.
Senior Care Homes For Couples Near You
Keeping families together is a priority, especially when one spouse needs memory care. While many people think continuing care retirement communities or life plan communities are the only option, they often have high barriers to entry.
Fortunately, Pegasus Senior Living communities offer flexible leasing options, making it easier for couples to receive individualized care in a supportive environment.
Our communities provide various levels of care, including assisted living and memory care, ensuring that each partner receives the personalized support they need. Some of our communities also offer independent living, allowing couples to live together comfortably, regardless of their care requirements. Don’t hesitate to ask a community if they can provide short-term respite care.
Explore our list of communities to find the perfect fit for you and your loved one, where both of you can thrive and maintain a high quality of life.
Alabama
- Bridgewood Gardens, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Albertville, AL
Arizona
- Broadway Mesa Village, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Mesa, AZ
- Sun City West, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Sun City West, AZ
- Tucson Place at Ventana Canyon, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Tucson, AZ
California
- Creston Village, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Paso Robles, CA
- The Havens at Antelope Valley, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Lancaster, CA
- The Village at Rancho Solano, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Fairfield, CA
- Whispering Winds of Apple Valley, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Apple Valley, CA
Colorado
- The Courtyards at Mountain View, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, Denver, CO
Georgia
- Historic Roswell Place, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Roswell, GA
- Magnolia Place of Roswell, Personal Care Home and Memory Care, Roswell, GA
Kansas
- Glenwood Village of Overland Park, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Overland Park, KS
Louisiana
- Laketown Village, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Kenner, LA
Mississippi
- Castlewoods Place, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Brandon, MS
- Ridgeland Place, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Ridgeland, MS
Nevada
- The Chateau at Gardnerville, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Gardnerville, NV
- The Seasons of Reno, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Reno, NV
New York
- Evergreen Place, Enhanced Assisted Living and Memory Care, Brockport, NY
- The Landing at Queensbury, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Queensbury, NY
Texas
- Chisholm Trail Estates Senior Living, Independent Living and Memory Care, Keene, TX
- Parmer Woods at North Austin, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Austin, TX
- The Farrington at Tanglewood, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Houston, TX
Washington
- Cordata Court, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, Bellingham, WA
- Gig Harbor Court, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Gig Harbor, WA
- North Point Village, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Spokane, WA
- South Hill Village, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, Spokane, WA
- The Gardens at Marysville, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Marysville, WA
- The Rivers at Puyallup, Assisted Living and Memory Care, Puyallup, WA
Contact Us When One Spouse Needs Memory Care
Maintaining a solid connection when one spouse needs memory care is essential for both partners’ well-being. You can ensure your bond remains strong by staying involved, communicating effectively, creating a familiar environment, participating in activities, joining support groups, and considering senior living communities like Pegasus.
Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and support is available to help you every step of the way.
Contact a Pegasus Senior Living community near you today.