When you realize that a loved one needs trained, round-the-clock care for Alzheimer’s or other dementias, you have decisions to make, such as choosing a specialized community. As you decide, consider the benefits of semi-private living in memory care.
The time has finally come to move your loved one into a memory care community. Did you know that your choice of room type may affect their transition into memory care and their overall experience?
While you might simply assume that a private room is better, semi-private living in memory care can offer advantages for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cognitive impairments.
The benefits of living with a roommate range from reducing loneliness and anxiety to promoting social connectedness and activity level, leading to an improved quality of life. The cherry on top – semi-private rooms are also more affordable.
An overview of semi-private rooms
Many assisted living and memory care communities offer semi-private, companion-style rooms. These rooms usually have two beds divided by a privacy curtain, screen, or wall partition. They typically have a shared private bathroom and storage space, with one or two closets for the roommates.
Advantages of semi-private living in memory care
Moving to a new environment can be challenging for anyone, but it’s especially hard for a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Your loved one with cognitive impairment may already have bouts of confusion, and going from a familiar place to one that’s unfamiliar can be disorienting. The move may leave them feeling abandoned, anxious, agitated, or even depressed and withdrawn.
A roommate can play a key role in helping your loved one adjust to their new environment and become involved socially.
The roommate already knows the community and is familiar with routines, expectations, and layout, so they can guide your loved one in learning the ropes faster – whether through direct guidance or simply setting the example. For example, the companion can show when and where to eat, how to engage in activities, and when to go to bed. But that’s just the beginning.
This new live-in companion may also offer emotional support, as they’ve already gone through a similar transition period themselves and can relate to how your loved one is feeling as they transition to the new community.
While a roommate can help your loved one adjust to memory care living, the advantages of sharing a room extend well beyond the initial transition. Sharing a room with a companion:
- Nudges participation: While a natural tendency for many older adults can be to withdraw and isolate, seeing a roommate participate in activities can nudge them to take part in activities like games, singing, arts and crafts, exercise, or excursions. Having a companion to dine with also encourages your loved one to eat regularly and not skip meals.
- Provides emotional support: Just having someone nearby throughout various periods of the day can be a source of comfort and emotional support. Instead of being alone in their room, your loved one has someone else there for company.
- Promotes social interaction: Getting out of the room and doing things with a roommate can help your loved one to meet more residents and staff and potentially make additional friends in their memory care community. This fosters a sense of belonging.
- Reduces loneliness: Having a roommate to talk with and share experiences with can reduce isolation and loneliness, which have long been linked to cognitive decline.
- Increases monitoring and support: Since there are two residents living in the room, each one gets more frequent monitoring from staff and more opportunities to engage with employees.
- Gives the family peace of mind: There are benefits for the family, too. Knowing your loved one has a companion beside them and another set of eyes watching them can help to ease your mind.
- Saves money: The costs of a companion-style room at memory care are typically 10-15% lower than the price of a private room. Your loved one will receive the same quality of care as those staying in a private room at a reduced cost.
If you think semi-private living in memory care might be a good fit for your loved one, you may be wondering how the roommate will be selected. This varies by community, but in general, the staff will match your loved one with a roommate who is compatible based on considerations like personality, sleep habits, routines, and care needs.
Moving to a new community inevitably presents challenges, and adjusting to a new roommate can be a challenge, too. But the benefits of semi-private living in memory care promise to ease the transition and provide a better long-term experience.
