If you’ve got a loved one among the seven million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia, you don’t need us to explain the difficulties for your family.
Caring for someone with cognitive issues can be stressful and it never gets easier. If you don’t have the tools and expertise to deal with the unique challenges that their symptoms bring, it’s time to think about assisted living.
There are many types of senior living options, but memory care is the only one capable of handling your loved one’s needs. Today, we’ll discuss memory care living, explain some of the benefits of memory care, and tell you how to find the right memory care community for your loved one.
Thousands of memory care services dot the country. Keep reading and you’ll know exactly what to look for to ensure your loved one gets the care they need.
What Is Memory Care?
There are a few types of assisted living services in America. You’ve got independent senior living for healthy seniors who want to downsize their current living situation. Assisted living, on the other hand, is best for seniors who need help with daily tasks, like dressing, bathing, and cleaning.
Assisted living for memory care offers the same services as assisted living, but with added services to deal with dementia symptoms. As you know, these symptoms present a wide range of challenges that are difficult to deal with at home.
The community’s staff are highly trained and experienced in caring for seniors with dementia. Memory care residents stay in a safe, secure environment with daily exercises and activities to help reduce the effects of their symptoms. This gives them the highest possible quality of life as they navigate the many challenges of cognitive decline.
The Benefits of Memory Care Living
When you’re deciding on memory care, it’s important to know what benefits your loved one should receive. Understanding this, you can choose the best possible community for their needs.
Customized Care
The biggest benefit your loved one will see in memory care is a personalized care plan. With our SHINE® Memory Care program, which has been recognized with a National Certificate of Recognition by the Alzheimer’s Society, your loved one will get a person-centered approach to memory care.
We use the latest scientific principles to provide proven care methods. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every person’s needs are unique and our highly trained staff makes sure that all residents are given the best care in a safe and supportive environment.
Safe Environment to Boost Independence
Speaking of a safe environment, safety is a major priority in memory care communities. One of the concerns with dementia patients is wandering, which can be dangerous and frightening for seniors.
All residents of memory care are supervised at all times by 24/7 staff. The building itself is secure to prevent any mishaps. There’s also a major emphasis put on safety to avoid any falls and injuries that occur from falls.
Mind-Engaging Activities
One of the most important tenets of memory care treatment is a personalized plan of mind-engaging activities. A lot of factors contribute to an individual’s Alzheimer’s symptoms. That said, with the right approach, the effects of these symptoms can be minimized as much as possible.
The activities in memory care combine sensory experiences with relaxing moments. Some activities are one-on-one with staff members, while others are group activities that include non-competitive games catered to each person’s attention span.
Socialization
Being in senior living is a great way to improve elderly socialization. Social isolation is a huge problem for the American senior population, with one in three adults between 50 and 80 feeling socially isolated.
When your loved one enters assisted living, they’ll be surrounded by their peers. Every situation is unique in memory care, but residents are given every opportunity to improve their social life. This can decrease feelings of depression and anxiety while increasing their sense of self-worth.
Help with Medication
Another big difficulty with cognitive decline is remembering to take important medications. Whether your loved one is experiencing heart disease or diabetes, memory issues make it hard to stay on top of medications.
Assisted living staff are always on top of each resident’s medical needs. They’re always around to administer medication on top of a resident’s other needs. In memory care, there are also registered nurses and medical professionals available to help as needed.
Improved Physical Health and Nutrition
Physical fitness is important for seniors, whether they’ve got memory issues or not. It’s recommended that seniors get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This helps them prevent major illnesses, as well as improve muscle and joint health.
The activities in memory care aren’t just mind-based. Residents will be able to take part in various fitness classes, such as Tai Chi, walking, and light outdoor games. Staff will help encourage them to get the requisite amount of exercise, so you don’t have to worry about your loved one being idle.
Another aspect of senior health is nutrition. As we age, our dietary needs evolve because the body loses efficiency. The diet your loved one eats will have a direct effect on their physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
Those dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia may not have the ability to cook healthy meals for themselves. That’s why memory care communities provide excellent dining options geared toward senior health. When seniors have a nutrient-packed diet, they can avoid things like heart problems, diabetes, and stroke.
How to Find the Right Assisted Living for Memory Care?
Memory care living can greatly increase your loved one’s quality of life. It can also decrease the burden on family and friends, which is very real. To get the best possible memory care for your loved one in York, Seaton Springwood is the top choice.
Our community offers unmatched care and the best amenities your loved one can hope for from assisted living. As mentioned, our SHINE® Memory Care is one of the top in the nation. With our help, your loved one can live a fruitful existence even in the face of cognitive decline.
To take a tour of our community, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
