As time goes on, it becomes challenging to take care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other cognitive issues, hence the need for a memory care community. But finding the right community might be difficult.
These are a few things to consider while looking for the best memory care in Salem Village Trailer Park, VA, for your loved one:
Medical Emergency Procedures
Having an emergency medical plan is crucial in all memory care communities. You should know whether they have a medical care plan to respond to your loved one if anything happens to them. Inquire about their procedure for handling emergency situations and the hospital the community uses. Also, it is advisable to know when to receive notification of the situation at hand.
All this information will give you peace of mind and let you know that your loved one is safe, even during emergencies.
Consider Team Members’ Experiences
Memory-related problems are often progressive and can get worse with time. Is your loved one in the early stage or the late stage? Different stages have different requirements, which is why a good memory care community must be able to handle any stage.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have different symptoms that can worsen with time. Therefore, you need a community with trained and professional team members. These members must be able to adapt to the change your loved one might be experiencing. Be sure to ask about the team members’ educational background and years of experience.
Meal Plans
It is essential you consider the meal plan for each community. Do they accept special diets? Or do they only serve the same meal to all the residents? Some retirement communities include a kitchenette in the suites whilst a dining hall is more common in memory care communities. Compared to a kitchenette for self-preparation of food, the dining hall is more advisable for aging adults with dementia as they can socialize and there is a lower risk of cooking hazards.
Activities, Amenities and Events
A memory care community must have an environment stable enough to support residents. The services in the community must be tailored to the resident’s individual needs. It must have standard suites with proximity to all the amenities your loved ones need. There must be caregivers and other trained professionals available to care for residents.
In addition, the community must have various activities and events that will encourage interaction among residents. Physical, speech, occupational, and recreational therapies should be available for residents. The community must also offer emergency support in the suites, health aides, and team members for comprehensive care.
Cost of Living in the Communities
An essential factor you need to consider while looking for a memory care community is the cost breakdown. Some of the communities are more expensive than others, so it is vital to do some budgeting. Once you are done touring the communities and have chosen one, you should consider the cost. It must suit your budget, and be sure your loved ones can keep up with the payment.
