Memory Care Living Checklist

As we age, mild memory loss can occur, with symptoms ranging from taking longer than usual to remembering and learning new material to forgetting to pay bills. 

Proper and full-time medical care becomes a necessity only when your loved ones start showing more severe signs, such as those of dementia and Alzheimer's. 

It's tough to watch your loved ones live through a memory impairment, not to mention the various difficulties it brings to their usual routine. That said, finding your loved one the proper memory care can help immensely. 

The possibility of shifting to a retirement community can be daunting at first, but rest assured, all your doubts and queries will be answered in this detailed account of memory care.

What is memory care?

Memory care includes providing specialized care and services to assist those living with dementia or Alzheimer's, no matter how minor the symptoms.

Staff members at such centers are exceptionally trained to assist and tend to the needs of older adults living at all the different stages of dementia. They are also responsible for managing people who may experience frustration, anxiety, aggression, communication issues, etc., due to cognitive impairment.

These locations often offer the necessary security measures to keep the residents safe.

Why is memory care important?

Why should your loved one move to a place they're not familiar with when you can tend to them in the comfort of your home?

Mental health issues such as dementia bring memory loss. This means that even familiar places like their home or own room can become foreign and unknown.

Loud noises or distractions can overwhelm and upset them or cause disruptive behaviors.

An average person won't know the most effective way to deal with such issues concerning their loved ones, and unless the entire home is altered, they can only do so much to keep their loved ones calm and protected.

The ideal memory care living checklist

Memory care is not an easy venture and requires responsibility and vigilance with so many factors to consider and look into. The locations in charge of providing medical care also have to abide by set standards to ensure optimum care and rehabilitation.

That said, it's not entirely impossible to give the necessary memory care to an older adult at home. Below is what an adept memory care living checklist looks like. This will help you decide on whether seeking the help of a memory care location would be the best option.

Care plans

An individualized care plan that caters to the needs and requirements of your loved one and is tailored to their routine is needed. It ensures that your loved one has their particular needs well taken care of and that they are treated with respect and dignity.

Food and meals provided

A well-balanced diet should be provided three times a day to maintain mental and physical health. A person living with dementia can quickly change their eating habits, and this is an important consideration and must be adeptly handled. 

The daily meal services should be tailored according to their meal preferences and routine.

Maintenance of privacy

People with cognitive aging can be easily upset by even the slightest disturbances. As such, residents must be given adequate privacy, and this privacy should be well-respected and managed.

Care center requirement: Residents should choose whether they wish to live individually or in shared spaces according to their comfort level or the seriousness of their condition.

Safety measures

People living with memory loss are more vulnerable to risks and accidents. So naturally, the safety of a loved one is usually the key reason why families resort to a memory care center.

From motion-sensor technology to secure windows and keypad doors, memory care communities include various safety technology and features for protection.

The top safety features for memory care are:

● 24-hour supervised care

● Alert systems for emergency

● Keypad entry

● Alarms on emergency exits

● Interior courtyards

Building layout

The memory care center needs to have a more basic layout and include easy-to-navigate floor plans and other environmental designs for residents.

This will keep the residents oriented, decrease confusion, and minimize or even prevent wandering. When you get to tour a memory care location, make sure to look for the following features:

● Emergency call buttons

● Automatic bathroom lights

● Fall prevention such as low handrails to enhance stability

● Mobility assistance and disability-friendly platforms for people in wheelchairs, crutches, etc.

● Therapy gardens for relaxation and to reduce negative feelings of aggression, anxiety, panic, etc.

● Shorter and less repetitive hallways

● Personalized frames and room doors for easier recognition

● Soundproof walls, etc.

Endnote

Choosing the ideal memory care center that will cater to your loved one's needs requires a detailed understanding of the requirements of your loved one.

Another thing that needs your attention is the cost of the memory care center. Enquire about monthly expenses, additional fees, move-in incentives, etc., that will determine your overall budget. With all the final factors in place, you can now work toward finding your loved one the best possible memory care center.