Cleveland Clinic explains that of adults aged 65 and over, between 5% and 8% have dementia in some form. Dementia is challenging for everyone involved, especially when you need to transition your loved one from their trusted assisted living in Hagerstown to a specific memory care community. This shift in location and daily routine can be initially jarring for your loved one, despite it being a necessity.
Memory care centers are more adept at caring for those with memory-related conditions, making them ideal for anyone with dementia. However, you need to help your loved one safely and securely navigate from one care center to the next, focusing on their feelings and emotional well-being.
This is how to ease senior living transitions, making the entire process a smooth one.
Memory Care vs Assisted Living
Memory care is a type of assisted living. However, it’s specifically for those with conditions that affect their memory, whereas assisted living strives to help older adults on a more generalized level.
For memory care, these conditions include:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
Since memory-related conditions can lead to struggles with everyday tasks, specialized care is required.
It’s worth noting that memory care is also more specialized than assisted living. All staff members in memory care communities have plenty of training in specific fields that relate to these conditions.
This means they’re well-equipped to handle those with memory loss and subsequent cognitive decline. Since cognitive decline comes with its own challenges, this specialized training becomes necessary to help residents thrive.
Memory care communities also focus strongly on security measures. This works to prevent residents from accidentally wandering off or sustaining some type of injury. Additionally, memory care communities are designed with comfort in mind, working to keep residents calm during their stay while also protecting them from accidents.
Steps for Transitioning to Memory Care
When transitioning to memory care from an assisted living community, it’s important to make the process as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Follow these steps to help your loved one switch to memory care for seniors.
Research Different Communities
Not all communities are created equal, so look for one that benefits your loved one’s unique needs. You should set up interviews with each community, touring the premises and asking questions. Additionally, be sure to read online reviews from third-party sites, and don’t be afraid to ask for references so you can speak with other families.
Maintain Communication
As you transition your loved one from an assisted living community to Hagerstown memory care, discuss this process with them so they know what to expect. You should also keep in constant contact with their care team so everyone is on the same page. By speaking openly about this transition to memory care, you can work to alleviate some of your loved one’s anxiety.
Be kind with what you say. Don’t position it as if your loved one needs this transition for extra care. Instead, explain that this new community has tons of wonderful amenities and is a great spot to live, making them part of the process.
Work With Staff
Before transitioning your loved one into a memory care senior living community in Hagerstown, contact staff members and sit down to talk. Tell them all about your loved one, along with the following:
- Their medical background
- Their mental health history
- A complete list of medications
Be sure to include any other pertinent information that will help your loved one transition as comfortably as possible with a trusting and understanding staff member.
This is another excellent time to share with staff members your loved one’s personal story. Let them know more about your family member(s), including their likes and dislikes, hobbies, and interests.
How Can Family Members Help Out?
When leaving the best assisted living community in Hagerstown, your loved one is bound to feel anxious. This is where family members come into play, working to make this move as smooth as possible. Be sure to do the following.
Call and Visit Your Loved One Frequently
It’s important to not only call and visit your loved one but to frequently communicate with their physicians and memory care team. Ask for updates about their progress and cognitive health care so you know what’s going on. When you speak with your loved ones, be present for the conversation and show empathy and support.
Decorate Their Room
Make your loved one’s living space as comfortable as possible by decorating it with photos and other familiar objects. If they have special bedding that brings them joy, be sure to use this in their new room, along with other items that work to reduce any confusion once they transition from their current assisted living services to a new memory care community.
Have Patience
Remember that this situation is difficult for you and your loved one, so be as patient and empathetic as possible. Reassure them whenever possible and let them know that their feelings are heard.
Learn About Memory Care
One of the best ways you can help your loved one is by learning about senior memory care, its benefits, and how it works. You can then use your knowledge about these communities to put your loved one’s mind at ease, should anxiety arise about dementia care support.
Find the Best Assisted Living in Hagerstown
When transitioning from assisted living in Hagerstown to a memory care center, you can expect your loved one to have some degree of anxiety. You can also expect to feel these symptoms yourself, as it’s never easy to watch a loved one experience challenges, especially with memory-related conditions. Fortunately, help is available in the form of specially crafted memory care communities.
No matter what special needs your loved one requires, Seaton Hagerstown has everything you could ask for. Our community in Hagerstown, MD, makes the transition from assisted living to memory care that much easier since we offer both services.
We also have a highly trained and dedicated staff who’s committed to seeing your loved one thrive. Learn more about what we offer by reaching out today.
