Key Things to Know about Memory Care

The National Institute of Health has set finding improved treatments and new interventions for Alzheimer’s as one of their key priorities. Before November this year, which is the National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, people with Dementia have always required memory care, which is a type of long-term skilled nursing care that is intended for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia.

Memory care is one of the most effective tools against Alzheimer’s that we have at our disposal. It is a type of senior living, which offers intensive and long-term specialized care to people with Dementia. It is expected that the demand for quality memory care will increase much in the coming years. Findings from the World Alzheimer’s Report and RAND Corporation warn that the number of senior people with Dementia would be more than double by 2040. Fortunately, the senior health care industry seems all prepared to meet the increasing demand.

New as well as existing senior care communities are involved in the development of more and more memory care units across the nation. To help you better understand the concept, below are some of the key facts about memory care that you need to know.

Memory Care is All-Inclusive

Regular assisted living communities offer their residents personal care support services like meals, help with dressing and bathing, as well as management of medicines. As per the latest statistics, it will cost an average of 3,300 dollars a month for a single bedroom apartment in an assisted living facility, while the average cost of memory care is about 5,000 dollars for a single bedroom apartment. Although the latter is expensive, these facilities offer all-inclusive and effective care for seniors with Dementia. They even provide 24-hour supervised care for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia at all stages of the illness.

Memory Care Can Help with Behavioral Issues

Apart from the leisure programs that are offered by memory care communities, they also offer therapeutic programs to address wandering, memory impairment and other behaviors shown by people with Dementia. These programs are aimed at improving the quality of life of the residents. Experts say, “Memory care is evolving as senior living providers are starting to offer more advanced memory care programming that addresses each stage of the disease and personalizes care for each individual.”

Memory Care Communities Specifically Serve People with Dementia

The atmosphere offered by memory care communities are designed specially by Dementia care experts and can cut down the dangers and risks of falling or slipping when wandering around. Usually, the hallways and other areas will be color-coded to help with easy navigation and to decrease anxiety in people with Dementia. In addition, the safe environment of memory care communities will also encourage the residents to be independent.

Memory Care Improves Quality of Life of People

Communities offering memory care programs have reported improved quality of life in many areas, like decreased need for medication and side effects from them, increased wellness and nutrition, fewer injuries, falls, visits to hospitals, and increased social interaction and independence. Almost three-fourths of residents have also experienced an increase in mental functioning and maintenance after spending some time in memory care communities.

Memory Care Communities Do Not Isolate Dementia Patients

Even though memory care facilities are usually located in a separate unit of assisted living facilities, or in some dedicated areas of a community providing a range of care, therapeutic and social programs will be arranged to make sure that the residents are always happy and engaged. As this offers a community living atmosphere, there are no risks of feeling loneliness or isolation.

Memory Care Gives you Peace of Mind

Having the knowledge that your loved one is under 24-hour care of trained professionals will offer you and your family peace of mind and will also relieve you from the difficult task of taking care of your loved one. These communities also provide specific outreach to the family members of people suffering from Dementia.

Choosing Memory Care

It is true that an efficient and quality memory care community offers education and outreach for the families of people with Dementia; however, you should also do your research to know if the facility that you have chosen is the perfect one for your loved one. Before making the final decision, you need to take into account the individual needs and requirements of your loved one, and the treatments and features that are available at the memory care facility.

In addition, you will also need to consider their policies, the safety and security offered by them, and on-site staffing. You can also check of both you and your loved one feel the same way about the memory care facility.

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