Questions to Ask About Memory Care Programs
You don’t have to transition a family member into a Memory Care program without having all the facts. A great deal of research can be required to ensure you’re making the right decision at the right time for someone living with a form of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’re getting ready to choose a Memory Care program in a senior living community, you may like to ask providers some of the following questions to help you make an informed decision:
1. What’s Involved In Memory Care?
Memory Care is a care program within a senior living community. They involve specialized care and living arrangements for people living with memory issues such as dementia. In most situations, care associates taking care of residents living with dementia receive specialized training.
Residents in Memory Care programs can access special services, Memory Care programming, and help with daily living. Most importantly, they live in a safe and secure environment.
2. What Services Are Available?
It can be worth asking your preferred Memory Care program provider about the services your loved one can expect to receive when you transition them into care. You can then decide whether they’re going to get all the help they need or whether you need to consider care elsewhere.
Many of the best senior living communities provide comprehensive service offerings, including:
- Nurse oversight
- High team member-to-resident ratios
- Medication administration
- Daily living assistance – help with dressing, bathing, and personal care
- On-site therapies
- Memory-enhancing activities
- Salon services
- Dining services
- Housekeeping
- Laundry and linen services
- And more…
3. How Do You Know Someone Is Ready for Memory Care?
Dementia is progressive. This means signs and symptoms can start as mild and slowly worsen. As a result, you may not know when your loved one is truly ready to move into a Memory Care program.
Now might be the right time to explore specialized care assistance, such as a long-term Memory Care community or receiving short-term dementia care services, if you can relate to these signs:
- Regular memory lapses and forgetfulness
- Accidents resulting from forgetfulness
- More aggression and agitation than usual
- Challenges performing daily activities by themselves
- Communication challenges
- Confusion
- Disorientation and wandering
- Family caregivers are burned out or can no longer provide care
4. What Security Measures Can You Expect in Memory Care?
Wandering and confusion are common symptoms associated with forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease. People living with dementia can wander off, become lost and confused, and struggle to return to their home environment of safety.
Rest assured, most of the best senior living communities that offer Memory Care programs have several security measures in place for peace of mind. Entries and exits are typically secured and/or monitored. Residents can also be supervised during their daily activities. Most communities also prioritize dementia-friendly layouts and designs to reduce confusion and promote familiarity.
5. What Senior Housing Options Are There?
When you want your loved one to live safely in a senior living community, asking about their housing can be important. After all, you want them to be safe while sleeping and relaxing in their accommodations.
Many standout senior living communities provide private housing in the form of studio apartments and sometimes one-bedroom apartments for Memory Care residents. With comfortable bedrooms and living areas, residents can rest and relax in their private spaces. Accommodations also typically have safety-equipped bathrooms with grab bars and walk-in showers for peace of mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about Memory Care housing so you can be confident in your decision about which senior community to transition your loved one into.
Ask Questions to Learn More About The Harrison of Wildwood
It’s okay not to have all the facts while you’re starting to research senior living communities for your loved one living with dementia. If you have questions about Memory Care and everything it entails, reach out to the team at The Harrison of Wildwood. We’re here to answer your questions so you can make a well-informed decision about your family member’s care.
