Consider putting a loved one in a memory care center if they are displaying symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It may seem daunting, but the right choice can make a difference for your loved one and you.
Memory care is a subset of assisted living or nursing home care with a smaller staff-to-patient ratio. It is designed to meet the social, medical and safety needs of people with dementia or other cognitive impairments.
Staff
. Both offer meals, housing, supervised care and help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing.
However, the staff at a memory care facility like the ones from https://villasatsanbernardino.com are specially trained to work with seniors with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s and dementia. They often hold higher credentials than the staff at assisted living communities, such as nursing certifications.
They can also offer specialized activities and programs to keep residents engaged. These may include reminiscence therapy, puzzles and music groups.
These programs are designed to stimulate and slow the cognitive decline of people with memory issues and comfort those who can’t communicate.
Safety is a top concern for memory care staff, especially since six in 10 people with dementia will wander at least once. Most memory care facilities contain safety precautions to reduce this danger, including motion detectors, railings, and emergency call buttons.
Activities
A high-quality memory care facility will offer a range of activities designed to support cognitive function and engagement. These include brain training, social events, stimulation therapies and club meetings.
Many communities have autonomous engagement stations where residents can explore their interests or practice life skills independently. Such activities reduce anxiety and slow cognitive decline, studies show.
Arts and crafts are excellent activities for seniors with dementia, especially those who have lost their skills. These hands-on projects encourage independence and promote self-esteem.
Caregivers can make art-related activities part of their routine in a memory care community. They can incorporate them into home-based programs, too.
For example, if a resident used to be a gardener, encourage them to plant bulbs or pull weeds in their community garden. These activities can improve their physical health and mental well-being while fostering friendships with others in the community.
Meals
The mealtime experience can be challenging for people with dementia, incredibly picky eaters. They may have trouble recognizing colors and temperatures, using utensils, sitting down to eat or swallowing correctly.
But memory care communities can help alleviate some of these challenges with small procedural changes and staffing adjustments. Dining teams create meals stimulating appetites with visual and sensory cues, ensuring residents get the proper nutrients and a positive experience.
By assessing a resident’s stage of dementia, staff can build a person-centered approach to food selections that reassures and stimulates.
The community’s dining services also offer residents a variety of meals, including choices for those who cannot read a menu or communicate with caregivers. They’re also committed to preparing healthy foods, like heart-healthy salads and pureed, eye-pleasing selections that are easy to eat.
Safety
Regarding safety, a memory care facility must take many precautions to keep its residents safe and secure. For example, most facilities use alarm systems to alert staff when residents wander or escape from their rooms.
These facilities also have security cameras in hallways and common areas. They may also have specialized access control to prevent people from entering a particular building section accidentally.
In addition, residents should have wireless pendants that connect with nurse call systems and sound an alarm when they’re taken out of their beds. These pendants can also alert staff if someone is going to go out of an exit door without permission.
The safety of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia should always be a top priority, but it’s essential when choosing a memory care facility. The best communities have a caregiver/resident ratio of five or fewer, and staff undergoes specialized training to care for seniors with memory loss.
