Top 5 Things You Should Look for When Selecting a Memory Care for Your Loved One

Imagine the feeling of moving to a completely new place. Having your belongings boxed up and being taken from your home with little to no say in the decision at all. Can you for one moment place yourself in the shoes of a loved one having to be the responsible person/persons in making these life changing decisions for their loved one. This is the difficult reality most loved ones of people suffering from a Dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis must cope with. The struggle to come to terms with the responsibility of placing your loved one into a Memory Care can be a challenging task, but then also having to select their new home from one or two visits to the facility, can be nearly impossible. Being a Memory Care Coordinator and seeing the tough day to day obstacles faced by Residents and their loved ones alike, I now have a better understanding as to the most important things to consider when selecting a Memory Care for your loved one.

1. Welcoming Environment

When you walk into the Memory Care Department is staff there to welcome you? Are the lights dim and hallway walls empty or are there window views and beautiful pictures hanging from corner to corner? These are some of the few things you’ll notice right away, but really pay attention to the atmosphere and first vibe feel you get as this is the prospect of a new home for your loved one. Will they be able to wander casually as their mind will sometime have them do, or are there too many turns and twists that’d confuse them even more? Considering not only the layout of the building, but also the different accommodations like; theater room, activity room and living room will make a world of difference when it comes to the comfort and homey feel you’d want anyone you love to have.

2. Levels of Care Provided

As many people know, Dementia and Alzheimer’s alike are not curable, but only treatable. This gut-wrenching reality must come with the fact, that your loved ones needs, when regarding care, can change within minutes, days, and months. When looking for a community ask questions as to what levels of care can be provided from needing help with some forgetfulness to needing bed baths and being spoon fed. Never assume all care that is needed will be provided, unless that is clearly stated.

3. Personal Assistance

With different levels of care being provided for your loved one, you must also take into consideration how much one on one assistance they will be receiving. Showering, toileting and dressing may be provided daily, but are there times when care staff can sit with Mom or Dad for small talk? Does the community you choose accommodate for companionship or is it strictly helping with their activities of daily living? Not being able to be with your loved one to assure they are getting exactly what they are needing 24-7 may have you feeling like you are no longer in control and aware of what’s going on, so take control and ask questions to be certain they are getting exactly what’s needed and desired.

4. Purposeful and Engaging Activity Calendar

Bingo, Music Entertainment, and Exercise are some of the most common activities seen throughout any kind of Senior Living, but with Memory Care you must be aware of the need for more stimulation. It’s okay to speak with Activity Directors and get a better understanding of how they will be engaging with your loved one on a day to day basis, not only through different games and music therapies, but also hands on crafts and outings to different places (at some communities). It is important for your loved one to feel they have a purpose and having their days filled with different activities to keep their mind active and their bodies busy, will only encourage this feeling for them.

5. Quality of Life

The most important thing to keep in mind throughout this entire tiring process is to keep your loved one’s quality of life at the top of your priority list. At the end of the day, you want them to still have and maintain as much of their independence as possible in the safest way and you want them to feel at home, safe and comfortable all while having their dignity intact. You, yourself want to feel at ease that they are getting taken care of and in these difficult times of dealing with their diagnosis’ living their lives to their best ability.

Selecting a Memory Care for your loved one doesn’t have to be a dreaded thing as some would see it. Let this opportunity be a moment for you as their responsible person to help make their advancing years as comfortable as possible. When choosing a Community for your loved one keep these things in mind to guarantee they will thrive.