What Is Memory Care? Understanding Specialized Senior Support
Memory loss is an unfortunate health condition across the United States. According to CNN, around one in nine seniors in the country are affected by Alzheimer's disease. This number is expected to double over the next 20 years, amounting to around 13 million by 2050.
In addition to Alzheimer's, many seniors suffer from dementia, another memory loss condition. It can be challenging for loved ones to care for a person dealing with these issues, resulting in many people exploring memory care communities. If you've never heard of this type of community before, you may be asking, "What is memory care?"
This blog will cover what type of care you can expect from a senior memory care community. We'll also discuss the benefits of this type of care for your loved one. Make the best decision possible for your family by doing your research.
What Is Memory Care?
So, "What is memory care?" This type of care provides seniors with around-the-clock supervision and support for their daily needs. Other terms for memory care that you may come across include:
- Alzheimer's support
- Dementia care
- Memory support
Memory care communities offer similar amenities and services to assisted living communities. However, they offer specialized services geared toward residents with memory loss. Memory care can be offered in standalone communities or within retirement or assisted living communities.
Memory care communities aim to create a secure environment for their residents while ensuring their highest quality of life. Employees in these communities are trained to work with seniors with cognitive impairments.
Signs Your Loved One May Be Ready for a Memory Care Community
It can be challenging to come to terms with the fact your loved one needs extra assistance that you're not able to provide for them. It doesn't help that dementia can progress slowly. That aspect of dementia can make it even more difficult to know when it's time to seek professional support for your family member.
Some signs that you may want to speak with a representative from a memory care community include:
- Irregular sleep schedule
- Dangerous or impulsive behavior
- Major memory gaps
- Feeling alone, isolated, or depressed
- Personality or mood changes
- Living alone is unsafe
- Trouble managing their medications
- Severe and sudden agitation, anxiety, or aggression
- Inability to perform daily tasks, like bathing, dressing, or eating
Keep in mind that if your loved one is dealing with dementia, they may still be able to live at home for a time under the care of a nurse or caregiver. There might come a time when even that support isn't enough.
Explore the Benefits of a Memory Care Community
There are numerous advantages you'll experience with a memory care community, in addition to the priceless peace of mind. Let's talk about some of the most common benefits of exploring this type of community.
Ensure Resident Safety
Many senior living communities offer safety features like daily check-ins and in-room alert systems. Memory living communities offer additional safety measures to protect their residents, including:
- Obscured exits
- Keypad entries
- Doorbells that signal exiting and entering
Memory care communities, including resident apartments, are designed to be less confusing for residents. This prevents injuries from falls and anxiety.
These communities also provide calming therapies within soothing environments. This additional level of care reduces the confusion and agitation that may result in self-injury or aggression for those with memory conditions.
Numerous Amenities
Each memory care community offers various amenities for its residents. While amenities vary from community to community, you can expect to find some of the following types of services:
- Barber shops and beauty salons
- Gyms and exercise rooms
- Outdoor spaces like courtyards and gardens
- Pet-friendly units
- Game rooms and libraries
- Relaxation rooms
- Activities and workshops
- Chef-prepared meals
- Daily housekeeping
- Personal care services
- Medication management
As we mentioned earlier, memory care communities are designed to make their residents' lives easier. This may include having color-coded walls that make it easier for residents to find their way around.
Highly-Trained Staff Members
Staff members in memory care communities have additional training on top of knowing how to support residents with their daily tasks. They're specially trained in Alzheimer's and dementia care. They provide residents with 24/7 supervision and care.
This support helps seniors with memory conditions achieve the following:
- Quality of life
- A sense of self
- Maintain cognitive skills
One of the things caregivers are trained in is how to compassionately and effectively manage and prevent difficult behaviors. This includes aggression and wandering. They understand how to encourage residents to be independent while ensuring they stay safe.
Memory Care Therapies and Activities
Senior living communities offer many activities that may appeal to their memory care residents. This may include:
- Book clubs
- Movie nights
- Exercise classes
- Walking groups
- Games
- Outings
- Karaoke
- Dances
Memory care residents can also receive group and individual therapy and activities that are designed for those dealing with memory loss. These types of things focus on the following:
- Sensory stimulation
- Structure
- Getting direct sunlight
- Cultivating engagement
These activities work together to eliminate and minimize sundowning. It can help residents enjoy their days while helping with their sleep patterns.
A few of the specialized therapies residents in a memory care community may take part in include:
- Art therapy, which can slow cognitive decline
- Music therapy, which reduces agitation and promotes relaxation
- Pet therapy for companionship
- Reminiscence therapy, which can help seniors remember people and events
What's great about all of these activities is that they can be tailored to meet the needs and interests of the residents. They can spend their days doing the things they love while ensuring their mind is stimulated.
Learn More About Specialized Senior Living With Heartis Peoria
Hopefully, we've answered the question, "What is memory care?" Thorough research of memory-living communities in the Peoria area is important. This will ensure that you find a community that offers cognitive impairment assistance and provides amenities that your loved one will enjoy.
At Heartis Peoria, we understand how important of a decision it is to find the right community for your loved one. Our highly-trained memory care staff members provide our residents with personalized care and support. Reach out to our office to schedule a tour of our memory care community in Peoria.