Moving a loved one to Berea, SC senior memory care is never easy, but it can be the best for them and you. However, before choosing a community, you must ensure it’s the right fit for your loved one, which goes beyond their physical needs.
Determine Your Loved One’s Needs
Before you start looking for a memory care center, it’s crucial to determine your loved one’s needs. Memory care facilities are generally divided into three levels: basic, assisted, and skilled. Here’s how these facilities differ with increasing levels of care:
- Basic-Level Facilities: They assist with activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing but do not offer specialized services such as medication management or dementia-specific treatment plans.
- Assisted Living Centers: These facilities offer more individualized care than basic-level facilities. They may also provide services such as personal laundry service or transportation between home visits with family members.
- Skilled Nursing Homes: They offer 24/7 medical supervision by doctors and nurses who specialize in treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Find Out if the Community Is Licensed and Accredited
A license means that the community has met state requirements and passed inspections. State agencies issue these certifications and licenses that govern healthcare communities.
Accreditation means that an outside organization has determined that a community meets specific standards of quality care. This means the facility can be trusted to provide good service without being monitored directly by regulators or inspectors from state agencies.
Ask About Their Training Programs And Staff Members’ Certification
Your loved one’s new home must be staffed with trained professionals who can help them maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent accidents. So, ask what kind of training each caregiver has undergone.
You should also ask if the community offers memory care best practices classes. They should have capabilities in handling behavioral issues or communicating effectively with residents who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Check How They Care for Other Residents
To get a feel for how the community cares for its residents, ask to see the grounds and meet others who live there. A sign of quality is when you are in contact with them; if they seem happy and content with their stay, that’s a good sign. You’ll also want to ask about any extra services they offer (such as transportation) and what activities are organized on-site or nearby by team members.
Try visiting during mealtime to see how well-fed the residents are and ask if food preferences can be accommodated if necessary. Look at how clean everything is: Is there clutter? Are there bugs? If so, this may indicate team members aren’t caring for themselves or their surroundings.
Consider Cost and Payment Options
You should find out what kind of packages are offered by the community, as well as whether or not there are any financial aid programs available. In addition, ask about daily rates that include room and board, meals, activities, and more-or if these things can be added onto an existing package at an additional cost.
Maybe you’re on a budget or worried about paying for long-term care services without help from Medicaid or Medicare. Look into financing options such as flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
These accounts let individuals set aside money from their paychecks before taxes are deducted. They can use it later for medical expenses like assisted living costs at memory care or other medical costs not covered by insurance plans.
