Things To Know While Moving From Assisted Living To Memory Care

Assisted Living

It might be necessary to move your loved one from assisted living to a facility that specializes in memory care if they are currently living there. People with a variety of medical conditions, including cognitive impairments, can benefit from assisted living and memory care. Memory care, on the other hand, is created especially for those with dementia and memory loss. The community itself is intended to be a welcoming and secure setting for persons with memory loss, in addition to having staff who are trained to cope with cognitive impairments. Depending on where you are in your unique journey, some families believe assisted living is the greatest place to start, while others believe memory care is the best option right away.

Here are some ways in which memory care can be a more all-encompassing option for people who are dealing with cognitive impairment and memory loss.

Secure Setting

Seniors who have mild to advanced dementia may roam and have diminished decision-making abilities. Memory care facilities use safety features like door alarms as well as environmental considerations like motion-sensor lighting or one-touch sinks to keep residents secure while allowing them to maintain as much independence as possible. These added features not only make it safer for residents to live there, but they also maximize their level of independence.

Expert Care

The workforce at assisted living facilities and memory care facilities is comparable, including nurses and nursing assistants. However, staff members at memory care facilities have additional training and expertise in dealing with memory loss. Memory care facilities are better prepared to meet these people’s needs since most states mandate that all staff members (from administration to cleaning) undertake ongoing training on memory care.

Sensory Stimulation

A person with dementia or memory loss may get overwhelmed by unfamiliar sights, sounds, and even odors. Environments in memory care facilities are created to keep them in a stimulating setting without being overpowering to their senses. They are also adept at giving memory loss sufferers sensory stimulation that is suited for them and may even improve their overall mental and physical well-being.

Socialization

Social skills loss frequently follows memory loss. Most everyday tasks, including maintaining their social lives, can be managed independently by residents of assisted living facilities. Memory loss patients may require additional assistance with socializing with others, maintaining an active lifestyle, and forming deep connections. Memory care facilities can also include exercises, therapies, and activities that are intended to help people who are losing their memory.