There are many reasons you might decide to consider a memory care community for your loved one—they may have Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia, and need round-the-clock care and assistance with day-to-day living tasks. There are also many options to choose from when it comes to memory care communities. The best way to find the right community for your loved one is to ask around, do some research online, and tour as many communities as possible before making your final decision.
Here are some programs and services that can be found in memory care communities. By learning about the amenities and services provided, you’ll be able to find out which community is more suitable and will be a better fit for your loved one. By spending more time on research, you can ensure your family member’s needs are met, and they can stay safe and happy during their time in memory care.
Medication Management and Administration
Dementia medications are used to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Anti-psychotic drugs can be highly effective in treating behaviors that are difficult for caregivers to manage; however, these meds can cause extreme side effects, including serious weight gain. If your loved one is suffering from severe paranoia or delusions, anti-psychotics may be necessary; but they also might not be. Talk with your doctor about what’s suitable for your situation; you want to make sure that any medication prescribed doesn’t bring further harm or risk of memory loss or confusion complications.
Bathing or Showering
Older adults in memory care facilities in Blue Ridge often require assistance with bathing and showering. Depending on their cognitive abilities, residents may need help using a shower head or tub faucet, shampooing or rinsing; drying; dressing, and staying safe when walking to and from bathroom areas. Furthermore, many seniors living in memory care facilities deal with incontinence issues due to changes in their physical ability (which causes them to no longer be able to recognize when they’ve gone). You will be better prepared to handle it all when you know what needs to happen during each bath/shower session.
Exercise and Range of Motion
Daily exercise and physical activity help reduce stress and provide a sense of well-being. It also keeps aging family members mentally alert and physically active. Most aging family members enjoy stimulating activities such as social events, playing cards, or board games with friends and family members. Older adults under 65 years old need at least thirty minutes of aerobic physical activity three times a week to maintain good brain health. As such, doctors recommend that they do more than thirty minutes of exercise at least five days a week or participate in activities like dancing or Tai Chi for better brain health and slower memory loss.
Assistance or Supervision during Mealtimes
Some adults in their golden years have difficulty chewing or swallowing. Some are physically unable to cut their food into pieces or manage utensils. Others may experience paranoia over certain foods—perhaps believing they are being poisoned—that can lead to refusing to eat. That’s why memory care facilities offer help with dining for all residents regardless of whether they have Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia. Team members in the community can either feed your loved ones in their rooms or provide them with a separate dining area if they feel anxious about eating with other residents.
