Memory Care: Before Your Loved One Moves In

Memory Care Centers Offer Diverse Options

There are numerous options when choosing the right care. Often, a facility is attached to a larger senior living community; this branch looks similar to other types of senior living, but is devoted solely to the care of those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other types of memory loss issues.

Generally, the entire staff – including housekeeping and kitchen staff – have specialized training to interact with memory challenged residents. The team consists of specially trained staff, who interact with residents and work to make them feel as comfortable as possible.

Questions to Ask When Touring

When visiting a prospective facility, consider taking notes so you ask the most important questions and can look back on the information later.

Some questions to consider:

• What kind of training does the staff receive?
• Does everyone who comes in contact with your loved one have some kind of training? If so, ask them to define the extent of the training.
• How often do staff members update their training?
• If you’re touring a senior facility, ask them if they have different training for memory loss patients versus general seniors that are in need of managed care.
• What kind of extracurricular activities do they have?

Memory Care Facility Group Activities Reduce Loneliness

When touring a center, pay attention to what kind of activities they have for their residents.

Are their activities geared toward different levels of memory loss? Bingo, for example, is popular, as well as trivia. Sometimes staff invite outside guests, like a musician, to play songs reminiscent of years gone by.

Art classes and art therapy often caters to individuals needs.

Supervised field trips may also be possible depending on your loved one’s level of memory loss.

Also, look for outdoor space: many memory care centers have courtyards and gardens for residents. Just be sure they have security to prevent wandering.

Emotional Support

For many, the decision to move their loved one into a memory care center is difficult; and you may be feeling the same way. It’s so difficult to witness the cognitive decline of someone you care about. But, you may realize that it’s simply no longer safe to manage their behavior in your own home.

If you struggle with the transition, you are far from alone. In fact, some facilities offer educational family support groups.

And just keep in mind: memory care facilities are a way to transition your loved one and yourself into the next phase of your lives with as much compassion as possible.