Memory care and assisted living simultaneously converge and diverge from each other. But both aim to provide a safe environment to seniors and ensure access to adequate care. The facilities nowadays offer both assisted living and memory care in the same place, making it easier for seniors. Memory care assisted living is a residential option for seniors facing memory decline. It provides specialised, trained staff, personalised mental care activities and therapies, and a secure environment, keeping in mind their special needs to effectively manage their cognitive decline. Read this blog to better understand who actually needs it and how memory care in assisted living benefits the elderly.
Who Needs a Memory Care Assisted Living Facility?
Before moving to the benefits of memory care assisted living, it is essential to understand who really needs it so that you are able to decide whether you want it or not. Read below to know!
- People with dementia, alzheimer, parkinson
- Who have cognitive impairments
- Seniors who need 24/7 supervision
- Requires assistance in doing daily activities and structured plans
- Unable to live alone due to unpredictable behaviour
TheSeniorList reports suggest that nearly 42% assisted living residents have been diagnosed with dementia in 2026. Thus, this is the primary reason assisted living facilities now offer memory care, ensuring residents have access to the necessary care and support.
What Are The Benefits of Memory Care Assisted Living?
Memory care assisted living is very beneficial for seniors who are facing memory decline or have early-stage dementia. In such cases, a memory care assisted living facility, rather than a dedicated memory care facility, is a better option. Because it helps the elderly engage with the facility’s senior living community. While also receiving the care they need, without the intimidating environment of a memory care facility.
Read below some of the benefits of memory care in assisted living.
Safe Environment
With the early stage dementia and the gradual loss of memory, the safety concerns increase for the seniors. In such situations, they often forget things and may wander or engage in unsafe behaviour. An assisted living memory care facility helps create a safe, secure environment for residents by installing locked doors, alarms, and staff to provide care.
Mental Care Plans
The needs of seniors requiring memory care vary. A memory care assisted living facility develops personalised mental care plans for seniors, keeping their activities simple and structured to prevent confusion. It incorporates mental care activities and social interaction, and provides nutritious meals and constant supervision to ensure their daily routine is planned based on their needs.
Memory Care Activities and Therapies
The memory care assisted living community offers a range of activities and therapies, including reading, exercise, puzzles, music, and pet therapy, and group activities with the assisted living community. All these activities help them reduce stress and anxiety, enhance focus, and combat cognitive decline.
Trained Staff
Seniors facing cognitive decline require specialised staff who are compassionate, patient, and understand the needs of the elderly. Staff who are able to build fruitful relationships with seniors while also keeping a close eye on the care and activities that need to be included for them. Thus, when you are looking for an assisted living memory care near me, you should ensure the quality of the staff is high.
Optimum facilities
The costs of memory care are very high if you choose a dedicated memory care facility or a nursing home. But if you are looking for a cost-effective option, a memory care assisted living facility is highly beneficial in the early stages, when residents receive optimal care in a supportive environment. It helps provide them with all the required services, from medication management to indoor and outdoor wellness.
Families’ Peace of Mind
Families always aspire to the best care for their elderly, but as their loved ones age and have diverse needs, it becomes increasingly difficult to provide the necessary care. Thus, memory care assisted living in such situations helps both families and seniors find the right care and peace of mind. The facilities also provide regular updates on their loved ones’ health to help them stay stress-free.
When to Move From an Assisted Living to a Memory Care Community?
Assisted living facilities try to address all essential memory care requirements. But completely bridging the gap between a memory care assisted living facility and a dedicated memory care facility is practically impossible. Thus, it is essential for both the transitioning senior and the facility’s residents and staff to support the individual’s move to a memory care facility. Read below when you should consider switching.
- When safety risks increase, they try to escape the facility, aggression increases, and suffers extreme confusion.
- If a particular senior is going through physical and cognitive decline
- When experiencing mid to later-stage dementia, and the basic memory care activities are not helping.
- When the senior becomes socially isolated, even after being with his peers.
- Staff are no longer able to manage them and provide the required care.
Conclusion
A memory care assisted living facility is an ideal option when you are looking for specialised care for your loved ones due to their declining mental health. It ensures that they enjoy autonomy and independence while receiving the necessary care for their mental well-being, thereby supporting their quality of life.
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