5 Benefits of Memory Care Facilities
Many family members have a hard time making the decision to move their loved one to a memory care facility. Moving a loved one to a memory care home benefits not only seniors with dementia, but also their family caregivers. Keep reading to explore some of the many benefits of memory care facilities.
Provide a Safe and Secure Environment
Confusion is a common symptom of a person living with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia. To prevent them from wandering or becoming lost or confused, memory care facilities are well designed with residents’ safety in mind.The physical environment displays dementia-friendly features, such as clear signage, color-coded areas, locked and alarmed exit doors, enclosed outdoor spaces, and monitoring systems.Falls are also common among elderly residents. To reduce the risk of falls, and injuries, many memory care facilities implement safety interventions such as:
- Making sure floors are not uneven or slippery,
- Eliminating clutter,
- Providing visual cues,
- Lowering noise levels,
- Simplifying furniture arrangements,
- Using proper lighting, and more.
Additionally, memory care facilities have highly-trained caregivers, nurses and day-to-day carers to help with the daily needs of its elderly residents, from general hygiene, bathing and toileting to nutritional and medical needs.
Since dementia is a progressive disease, it can be dangerous for loved ones with memory loss to walk unattended. At memory care homes, expert care is available whenever your loved one requires it, providing the much-needed peace of mind to families.
Stimulate Cognitive Abilities
As dementia advances, so does cognitive impairment and memory loss. One of the benefits of memory care facilities is that they have programs and activities that promote cognitive stimulation and health. Captivating activities, programs and social events can help slow down the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of older adults with dementia.Both physical and mental activities can help stimulate cognitive capacity. Typical activities include low-key physical exercise and movement, puzzles, storytelling, dancing, music and arts-and-crafts.Moreover, family members may encourage staff members to choose activities that their loved ones used to do prior to being diagnosed with dementia. For example, if the person used to have a garden or enjoyed dancing, the memory care specialist may assist them with simple activities such as watering the garden, or listening to music they used to dance to.
Manage Behavioral Problems
As your loved one's condition continues to progress, behavioral disturbances such as aggression, paranoid delusions, hallucinations, and sleep disorders often become more than a family can handle.Memory care professionals are trained to support a person with dementia displaying this type of behavior. They know how to approach and handle challenging situations by using effective strategies such as:
- Staying calm and reassuring,
- Enabling social contact,
- Keeping the environment simple and familiar,
- Simplifying daily tasks and routines,
- Adjusting lighting and noise levels,
- Incorporating music and aromatherapy,
- Building trust with the resident, and more.
By identifying each specific behavioral symptom of dementia and addressing it, memory care staff can help senior residents overcome challenges and maintain proper behavior.
Provide Personalized and Individualized Care
Since individuals who are dealing with dementia (of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most prominent) need personalized care, it’s essential for memory care facilities to offer individualized care plans and programs to accommodate their unique needs and preferences. It’s also important to find staff who genuinely understand what caring for dementia residents requires.In memory care facilities, each staff member knows the story, experience, and health condition of its senior residents. This allows them to take the appropriate safety and emergency measures.
Offer Better Quality of Life
Since dementia affects a person’s ability to function independently, it significantly impairs their quality of life. However, living in a memory care community can improve the overall quality of life of elderly residents. Memory care homes implement programs and therapies that can help dementia and Alzheimer’s residents manage symptoms better. Trained staff are available all time of the day to assist senior residents with their daily routines, and memory care needs.Moreover, by providing ample opportunities for social interaction and memory stimulation, along with nutritious meals, an enclosed outdoor courtyard, and access to health services, you can rest assured that your loved one will have a dignified life in acommunity where they will feel empowered and productive.At Arbor Trace Memory Care Center in London, Ontario, we understand how challenging it can be to determine whether moving your loved one to a memory care facility is the right decision.Arbor Trace memory care community provides custom care with 24/7 on-site staff, personalized daily assistance, multiple meal selections, secured outdoor and indoor common areas, memory-focused programs and activities, along with personal housekeeping, laundry and linen services.As you're thinking about professional memory care, we hope that you'll understand the amazing benefits memory care can have on your loved one’s life.Contact us to schedule a tour for Arbor Trace retirement community and discover the benefits of this memory care facility in London, Ontario.