There are a few reasons why you may be considering a memory care facility for a loved one. One of the first questions that people often have when coming up with a dementia care plan for a loved one is, “What is a memory care community?” First and foremost, it’s important to remember that a memory care community is a place where a loved one can expect to receive quality care from a community of experts who are on site and dedicated to giving your loved one the level of care and attention they deserve in a safe and committed environment.
A memory care community should also offer all of the tools and support required to give your loved one a productive and active life where they can thrive.
What Are The Benefits Of Living In A Memory Care Community?
1. 24-Hour Support – If your loved one requires around-the-clock support, a memory care community may be a great option for your family as well as your loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Dementia is often, if not always, a progressive disease which can become more complicated and hard to manage over time.
Support from an expertly trained staff that’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is critical as dementia worsens. If you make the decision to seek out the help of a memory care community, its staff and expert services, you can rest assured knowing that support for your loved one is there when and where they need it. Memory care communities offer a reprieve from stress and anxiety associated with having a loved one living with dementia.
2. Personalized Care Strategies – At Prestige Senior Living, we take a personalized approach to caring for your loved one. Our team members are trained in the most innovative care techniques and are prepared to assist your loved one through a myriad of scenarios that accompany dementia. When a loved one has access to care plans and resources designed specifically for them, they are in good hands.
3. Access to Programs – At Prestige, we’ve designed a number of programs to suit the needs of your loved one. Our wellness program Expressions is designed to keep residents active and engage. It encompasses five area to help residents live with fulfillment:
- Our Healthy Expressions activities focus on regular physical exercise, which has been shown to help slow the onset of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
- Tasty Expressions activities celebrate the joy and pleasure that can come from cooking and eating food.
- Artistic Expressions celebrates and encourages imagination involving the arts, poetry and music.
- Educational Expressions activities emphasize the value and benefit that comes from lifelong learning.
- Spiritual Expressions activities enable each person to develop inner peace through their own spiritual journey.
4. An Emphasis on Socialization – Socialization plays a pivotal role in slowing down the progress of many forms of dementia. If your loved one currently lives alone, they may not be receiving the socialization they need and crave. Despite a family’s best efforts to regularly visit a loved one, there often comes a time when the best next step is a memory care facility. Maintaining an active social life is a large part of a good cognitive health plan. Here at Prestige, we design programs to ensure your loved one will have access to social activities as well as quiet time when they want it as well.
5. Expert Care – In memory care communities, the staff is trained in best practices for those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. A thorough understanding of the disease is what makes the staff unique at a memory care facility. Knowing that your loved one is in the care of an expert is not only good for them but good for your peace of mind as well.
6. Health Services – When someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s lives on their own it’s very likely that they aren’t receiving the medical care that they need, such as visits to the dentist, optometrist or foot doctor. Prestige offers consistent check-ups and transportation to and from appointments to keep residents healthy.
7. Diet & Wellness – As we age it’s often difficult to get the proper nutrition our bodies need, which is especially critical for anyone living with, or experiencing, cognitive decline. Scheduled snack and meal times as well as access to a nutritionist can keep your loved one in tip-top shape. Plus, if your loved one has any dietary restrictions, the expert staff members are there to help meal plan and ensure your loved one is getting the nutritious and balanced food that your loved one needs.
If you’ve been considering visiting a memory care community with your loved one or having a conversation about senior living, there’s no better time than now. To make an appointment to visit one of our memory care communities, please reach out today.