Assisted living and memory care communities offer similar key services for your loved one, from providing assistance for day-to-day activities to stylish amenities. However, the key difference that sets them apart is that memory care communities provide the addition of tailored dementia-specific activities and personalized care. How do we know it is time to move from assisted living to memory care? Identifying the signs can help us be mentally prepared, making the transitions smoother and less terrifying.
Safety
Have you been extra cautious and worried about the safety of your loved one lately? Some safety concerns include increased instances of forgetfulness (especially for medication), confusion, wandering/getting lost, or the inability to express themselves coherently. If safety is a cause for concern, it can be a sign to move to memory care. Memory care communities offer round-the-clock supervision and a smaller team members-to-resident ratio to better provide personalized care.
Cognitive Abilities
When there is a decline in the cognitive abilities of your loved one, they may require additional help on top of the existing assisted living services. They may face more difficulties completing daily activities even with some assistance. They may also find it harder to problem-solve, make decisions, engage in conversations, or participate in group activities meaningfully. When their cognitive abilities are not being met, your loved one might not be able to socially integrate with other residents in the assisted living community. This can lead to social isolation and loneliness.
In this case, a memory care community would be recommended as more cognitively appropriate activities would be offered to your loved one. Memory care communities also offer specialized therapies, such as sensory and reminiscence, with the intention to reduce cognitive decline and manage memory deficiencies.
Happiness And Self-Esteem
In order to provide comfort and improve the quality of life for your loved ones, their happiness and self-esteem are crucial. Signs of depression or social withdrawal can indicate that they are not enjoying their time as much in assisted living. They might not have been able to build a meaningful connection with the other residents due to their difference in cognitive abilities or increased dementia symptoms. Another cause of their depression could also be due to an over-stimulation from the social settings in assisted living.
They may also exhibit lower self-esteem or confidence as they are no longer able to keep up with the independent style of living in assisted living communities. If your loved one is no longer happy or feels comfortable in an assisted living environment, transiting to memory care could be the better option. In memory care communities, they are able to receive more assistance with daily activities and have easier tasks to complete. Memory care professionals would also plan social activities that are appropriate and at a comfortable level for your loved ones, helping them to enjoy such activities more.
Memory Care Community at TerraBella Southport
If you are considering a switch to memory care communities, TerraBella Southport offers a person-focused program aimed to work with your loved one on the complex difficulties caused by dementia. As we offer two senior living options in one dynamic setting, you can get professional advice from our skilled team members on whether you should make the switch. Our flexible lifestyle options make it easier for your loved ones to adapt and change according to their needs.
