As your loved ones age, their health and wellness can become a top priority, and if they’re developing cognitive problems, it’s normal to worry about their safety too. Memory care can ease your concerns and those of senior loved ones by providing full support for healthy living.
Memory care is a specialized service designed to provide care and support for those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Almost 1 in 9 seniors over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s, and clocking in at an estimated 6.7 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease, this number is only expected to rise in the coming years.
Understanding the options available for memory care and senior living can help you choose whether memory care is right for you and your loved ones.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care is a specific type of senior care intended to provide assistance and medical attention for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other forms of cognitive decline.
Memory care communities typically offer 24-hour supervision and support for daily living activities such as bathing, eating, and taking medication. These communities can also provide specialized care, like occupational and cognitive therapy, to help residents maintain their memory skills and quality of life.
What Are the Benefits of Memory Care?
One of the most significant benefits of memory care is that it can provide peace of mind.
Many caregivers struggle with guilt or anxiety about whether they’re doing everything possible to help their loved one. Memory care professionals are trained and experienced in providing the care, services, and support necessary for various cognitive challenges.
Additionally, memory care communities can offer social engagement for individuals who may feel lonely or isolated at home.
The Legacy at Town Square builds residents’ experience around 7 Pillars of memory care.
- Choice-based living: Even with cognitive impairment, our compassionate team works to empower and support those experiencing memory challenges to make meaningful choices.
- Thoughtful dining experience: Our menu highlights health-focused dishes to support overall well-being in a dining environment created to help make meals relaxing.
- Personalized care: We recognize that all people are unique and require individualized care, support, and personalized programs to maximize their quality of life with love and acceptance.
- Collaborative support: Internal staff, outside caregivers, physicians, and families all have a part to play in uplifting older adults’ quality of life.
- Innovative environments: Using QuietCare and iN2L, we prioritize safety while nurturing your loved one’s freedom and community engagement.
- Immersive living: With cognitive and neurological decline, life can still be vibrant and full, and we encourage positive, uplifting activities to help enhance and encourage fulfilling experiences.
- Family partnership: Families are also affected by cognitive impairments, and we offer on-site support for families that can help them adapt to the experiences of memory care in a positive, collaborative way.
How Do You Know It’s Time for Memory Care?
It’s common for family members to feel hesitant about moving a loved one to a memory care community. Many people believe they can manage their loved one’s care at home, but conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia often require specialized care and may get progressively more complex to manage.
It can be helpful to consider memory care for loved ones when:
- You’re worried about their safety.
- They can’t maintain their home or their hygiene.
- They begin to self-isolate or lose interest in their favorite activities.
- Their finances become disorganized, and they miss important payments.
- They begin to wander or experience falls.
- They experience delusions or significant memory challenges.
If you feel out of your depth, burnt out, or need extra support, memory care can be the next step to supporting your loved one’s quality of life.
How to Find the Right Memory Care Community
Finding a suitable memory care community for your loved one can seem overwhelming. Researching multiple options and considering aspects like location, services, and cost is important.
Some important features and details to look for include:
- The level of family involvement that’s welcome and how staff communicate with family members.
- The ratio of staff to residents.
- The programming and activities available to support your loved one.
- The menu of meals and how staff monitor nutrition.
- The available options for other forms of senior living and support.
How to Prepare for the Move to Memory Care
Moving to a memory care community can be an emotional experience for seniors and their families. It’s essential to prepare for the move by discussing the benefits of memory care and involving your loved one in the decision-making process. Help them choose what items to bring and what to leave behind and communicate with the community staff to help create a smooth transition.
To prepare for the move, you should:
- Get support from family, friends, and professionals.
- Organize the logistics of packing and moving essential items.
- Prepare important documents such as power of attorney, insurance information, and advanced care directives.
Find Supportive Memory Care at The Legacy at Town Square
For an enriching, supportive memory care experience, visit The Legacy at Town Square for a tour. Explore our programming and meet our dedicated staff to decide if our community is a good fit for you or your loved one.