Choosing a new home is an exciting decision. You get to look into costs, various locations, house designs and layouts to find the ultimate one that best suits you. The same considerations go into selecting a dementia care community for your loved one. It does however, come with its own set of challenges-as most persons with dementia are unaware of their condition, they may not understand why they have to move and the change in environment will cause confusion for them. However, moving to memory care would still be their best option as they would be able to receive professional care in a safe environment. Here are some factors you will need to consider when selecting dementia care in Blairsville, GA for your loved one.
Needs Of Your Loved One
Your primary reason for seeking a memory care community for your loved one would probably that they are unable to handle activities of daily living (ADL) in their own homes anymore. You will need to identify their needs either by speaking to their doctor or getting a free care needs assessment by your local authorities. Things to consider would be the type of daily tasks they require assistance in, if they require medication management and their personality type before deciding on a community.
Amenities Offered
Different memory care communities offer different on-site amenities and programs. This would include meal plans, fitness programs and cognitive-enhancing programs. If your loved one’s condition requires specific care, it is important that you find a community that can meet those needs. You should speak to team members in detail personally to ensure that what they offer suits your loved one.
Trained Staff
Caring for persons with dementia is not easy as they require specialized care. You should select a memory care community whose team members are professionally trained to provide dementia care. Team members that have been trained in this area will be able to handle dementia symptoms such as wandering and aggression. With the right care in place, these behaviors will be minimized. The team member should also care for residents with patience and compassion.
Safety Features
As dementia patients sometimes have the tendency of wandering, this makes them more injury or accident prone. Thus, it is best that the community you decide on has good monitoring and anti-wandering systems in place. Find a community that offers 24/7 supervised care and emergency alert systems equipped in every apartment suite.
Your Budget
Lastly, let’s not forget the costs involved in moving to a senior living community permanently. You will need to evaluate if this living option is financially sustainable for your loved one. Look through the charges of different memory care communities and compare that to your loved one’s budget. Should you not want to drain their finances, you can also look into the public and private resources available to assist in covering the costs required. Some options you can explore are Medicare, Mediaid, Veterans Affairs Benefits for Memory, your insurance plans or financial support by the Alzheimer’s Association.
