Dementia, cognitive decline, and memory impairment can be challenging conditions. When a loved one is diagnosed with any form of cognitive impairment, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed at first. Fortunately, there’s an answer to getting your loved one the care they need: memory care. So how can you tell when a loved one needs memory care?
If your loved one is experiencing memory impairment, behavioral changes, or any other negative effects of dementia, it’s time for a move to memory care. However, there’s no need to wait for symptoms to start. An earlier move to memory care can be an excellent way to preserve cognitive abilities to maintain your loved one’s dignity and quality of life.
What Is Memory Care?
Dementia is a group of neurodegenerative conditions that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and cognitive capabilities. These conditions can cause memory issues, judgment changes, behavioral difficulties, and more.
So what do you do when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia? You think about memory care.
Memory care is a specialized type of long-term care designed specifically for older adults with dementia, cognitive decline, or any other type of memory impairment. These communities aim to support your loved one through this journey and meet their unique needs—all while offering a home in a safe, secure, and loving community.
It’s not just about treatment. Memory care aims to preserve your loved one’s dignity by focusing on what they can do while offering support for the things that give them difficulty. It’s a safe, stimulating, and warm environment customized to help people living with dementia.
How Can Memory Care Help?
Memory care communities take a wide-range approach to helping people experiencing any kind of cognitive decline. In memory care, a team of caregivers is available 24/7 with extensive experience in supporting seniors with these conditions. These communities help by offering:
- Safety and security features
- Health and wellness programs
- Activities and events
- Health care and medical support
Safety & Security
Dementia is an extremely complicated condition. Due to this, one of the primary concerns for the teams in memory care is the safety of your loved one. Memory care offers an environment that provides:
- 24/7 access to trained caregivers
- Secure entrances and exits
- Emergency response systems
Meanwhile, the physical environment itself is tailored towards helping your loved one safely navigate the community. The layout is simple and intuitive, with maps located in easy-to-access areas so your loved one doesn’t need to worry about feeling disoriented. This means that your loved one will be safe and well taken care of.
Health & Wellness
Health and wellness are crucial to maintaining a person’s quality of life, and this is taken into account. Memory care communities offer:
- Nutritious meal services
- Relaxed dining areas
- Support for residents who need help with their meals
This way, your loved one can enjoy a healthy, vibrant life in a calm and welcoming environment.
Activities & Events
Engaging activities are crucial to a person’s quality of life. In memory care, your loved one has easy access to all kinds of exciting and entertaining activities designed to help them maintain cognitive abilities and enjoy their time. These can include:
- Arts and crafts
- Music therapy
- Exercise classes
- Social events and gatherings
From therapy programs to interesting new hobby ideas, your loved one can enjoy pursuing their passions and making the most of every day!
Signs It’s Time for Memory Care
So how can you tell when it’s time for a loved one to move to memory care? Keep an eye out for the following signs of cognitive decline and memory impairment.
- They’re struggling to care for themselves. Dementia often affects a person’s independence, making it difficult to perform tasks like managing responsibilities or personal grooming.
- They’re beginning to become disoriented. This is a sign that your loved one is beginning to forget where they are.
- They’re showcasing communication difficulties. Dementia often affects speech and language abilities, making it challenging to communicate effectively.
- They’re beginning to feel isolated, depressed, or alone. Dementia can have a significant effect on your loved one’s mental health and quality of life.
- You’re worried about their safety. Even if you want to, it can be difficult to be around 24/7 to care for your loved one.
If any of these signs are present, it’s time to talk about memory care. It’s about more than just preserving their cognitive abilities—it’s about giving them a home with trained caregivers who truly understand the challenges they face every day and help them in their journey.
Memory Care in Hanson
If you have a loved one showcasing the signs of dementia, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Instead, reach out to our team at All American Assisted Living at Hanson. We’re here to help you and your loved one. To speak with a member of our team about trying memory care, schedule a tour with us today, or contact us to learn more.
