If you have noticed your loved one is more forgetful than usual or seems confused during regular visits, you might wonder if assisted living is the best choice for them. Knowing when moving from assisted living to memory care is the right call can feel tricky, but the right move can often result in enhanced quality of life, increased stability, and more peace of mind for you and your aging loved one.
What is Memory Care?
A memory care residence is a senior living residence specifically designed to support those living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Caregivers are there to provide personalized assistance 24 hours per day, and nurses are available to oversee care plans, medication management and communicate with physicians.
Memory care residences are specialized environments, offering environmental and associate interventions that help combat the challenges of cognitive decline. For example, care givers are trained in the best practices of dementia and are there to assist with personal care tasks, encourage reminiscing and socialization, and create meaningful moments throughout the day that enhance the quality of life.
Is Assisted Living or Memory Care Best?
Assisted living and memory care residences are similar in some ways, including around-the-clock caregiver support. However, if you wonder if assisted living or memory care is best, the answer comes down to diagnosis. For someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, memory care communities offer tailored interventions, routine daily rhythms, and other adaptations that cannot be found at home or in an assisted living residence.
More About Memory Care Requirements
In general, memory care requirements are similar to assisted living requirements, but with the addition of a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
While seniors living with early-stage dementia can live successfully in an assisted living setting, it is wise to begin researching memory care options sooner than later. In many cases, seniors in the early stage of memory loss will isolate themselves from family members and friends, have increased feelings of depression and anxiety, and experience sleep disturbances. Each of these factors can contribute to more rapid cognitive decline. In a memory care residence, residents can find the support and socialization they need to slow cognitive decline, build self-esteem, and stay connected to their daily routines.
Your Next Steps
If your loved one would succeed in a memory care residence, begin by speaking with the associates at their current assisted living residence. Assisted living residences often have memory care neighborhoods in the same building, making the transition for your loved one even more manageable.
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