The Transition to a Memory Care Facility

Mother and daughter enjoying coffee

When you reached the decision that the time had come to transition your loved one either from their current home or an assisted living apartment to a memory care facility, it was probably not a decision that was taken lightly. It is an emotional time for all those involved, especially when you’ve already been dealing with the decline of your loved one’s mental health.

Many of today’s assisted living facilities offer special wings or “neighborhoods” designed specifically to meet the needs of those dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The demand for memory care facilities is already on the rise, as the number of retiring baby boomers and dementia cases increases.  More and more assisted living communities could be adding memory care units over the new few years to meet the demand for quality memory care.

In addition to all the services an assisted living facility already offers, like planned activities, meals, laundry and housekeeping services, medication management, etc., a memory care facility provides specialized services for the memory impaired. They usually offer 24 hour supervised care in a secure environment. Sometimes they’ll have color-coded hallways to assist dementia patients with navigation, for example. They’ll also offer therapeutic programs that address each stage of the disease, as well as wandering and behavioral issues.

Memory care facilities recognize that no two dementia patients are alike, and will offer personalized care for each individual.

Making the Transition to a Memory Care Facility Easier

When you’ve decided that the right choice for your loved one is to transition to a memory care facility, there are some steps you can take to make it easier and less stressful for all those involved.

1)      Do your research. Talk to your loved one first to understand their needs. Before choosing a memory care facility, research facilities and their amenities to know whether it is the right choice for your loved one. Know the community policies and procedures, the security available, and the features and treatments available.  When you do choose a facility, make frequent visits there, bringing your loved one along if possible, before the move. This will help your loved one get familiar with the setting and the staff.

2)      Tell staff about your loved one’s background. If the staff of the memory care facility is aware of your loved one’s hobbies and interests, it helps them build a relationship, putting your loved one more at ease in their new situation. It also aids the staff in helping your loved one make new friends with similar interests.  Having someone to relate to and talk to can ease the transition to the memory care facility.

3)      Keep it familiar.  To help ease your loved one into their new living arrangements, bring items from home that are meaningful and familiar. Try to arrange the room to be similar to the way the bedroom back home was. Keeping familiar belongings close by can help aid in the feeling of comfort and security.

American Senior Communities offer memory care assisted living apartments for your loved ones in the beginning and middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease. For those further along in their diagnosis, our Auguste’s Cottage memory care program provides quality care through our trained Memory Care Facilitators, giving residents the highest quality of care possible.

For more information about memory care through American Senior Communities, please visit www.asccare.com.

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Disclaimer: The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The author does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical advice.

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