What are senior memory care services, and how do they differ from those provided by conventional assisted living options? Both assist the elderly in maintaining a satisfying standard of living, but memory care is tailored for people with specific cognitive health issues.
Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can cause memory loss, delusions, disorientation, insomnia, confusion, and agitation in elderly adults. In the early stages of dementia, nursing and assisted living communities can typically offer an adequate level of care. However, when symptoms worsen, these communities might not have all the resources required to deliver appropriate care to the individual. Advanced dementia patients may require specific care to help ensure their safety and comfort. A memory care community might be the best choice in these circumstances.
Services Provided by Memory Care Communities
A memory care community is specifically designed to assist elderly individuals who exhibit signs of dementia, such as Lewy body and frontotemporal degeneration, or Alzheimer’s disease. To minimize the everyday struggles brought on by the advanced stages of various kinds of memory disorders, most memory care communities will offer the services listed below:
- Program geared towards memory care
- A comfortable, relaxed environment
- 24-hour onsite monitoring
- Activities tailored to a resident’s past experiences and interests
- Signs and memory aids all throughout the community
- A clear, secure, and safe architectural concept (to reduce the risks of wandering)
Determining if Your Loved One Needs Memory Care
A person with dementia may benefit from memory care, but not every elderly person exhibiting symptoms needs dedicated monitoring. Since Alzheimer’s is a disease that gradually worsens over time, for some who are in the early stages of the condition, conventional assisted living communities may be sufficient.
To ensure you or your loved one’s safety, however, note that it might eventually be necessary for them to receive 24-hour supervision via a memory care program.
If you observe any of the following signs, it might be time to relocate your loved one to a memory care community. This is especially true if you find yourself continually concerned for their safety:
- Extreme forgetfulness, including failing to remember names and taking medications
- Ignoring personal hygiene and health issues
- Taking more meals or skipping them
- Bad posture or weight fluctuations
- Hoarding and other strange behaviors
- Making irrational purchases or handling money poorly
- Unclean living conditions
Specialized Care Program for Patients with Memory Care Needs
The memory care living option at Terra Bella Lake Norman, has been carefully designed to deliver the highest level of care and support for those dealing with dementia. In order to give our residents a space to flourish, our community thoughtfully crafts a calm and therapeutic environment. Moreover, our nationally recognized program, the SHINE® Memory Care program, is designed to retain and preserve everything that has been taken away from patients by their affliction. The specialized training and ongoing education that our nurses and nursing assistants receive in memory care enable them to care for residents in the best possible way. This includes personalizing a route of exploration for your loved one that touches on multiple important aspects of life!
