Many people think that all senior living communities are alike. But services can be very different. Every person has different needs, so senior living services need specialization. Memory care facilities are growing popular across the country. Yet few people know what kind of care they provide. What is memory care? Here are the basics you need to know.
What Is Memory Care?
More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. That number is expected to rise over the next few decades. By 2050, nearly fourteen million Americans will be living with Alzheimer’s.
People living with Alzheimer’s need specialized care. Early-stage Alzheimer’s involves memory loss and fatigue. People are unable to remember family and friends, and they start to grow confused in new situations.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, individuals have greater trouble remembering things. They get more confused and start having trouble sleeping. Late-stage Alzheimer’s impairs the abilities to think, speak, and control emotions.
Memory care provides services for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Caregivers monitor these types of communities twenty-four hours a day. They respond to residents as soon as their needs arise.
What Distinguishes Memory Care From Other Types of Senior Care?
Memory care is different in several ways.
Memory care buildings are designed with memory in mind. Many residents living with Alzheimer’s wander or forget where important rooms are.
Memory care facilities have easy-to-navigate layouts and smaller buildings or wings. Other facilities may be larger with unclear floor plans.
Memory care facilities also have more safety features than other facilities. They contain secured doors to keep people from wandering out.
To provide a sense of nature, many memory care facilities contain gardens and courtyards. Outdoor spaces are fenced in to keep residents from leaving.
Many people living with Alzheimer’s experience sundowning. They become more agitated as the day progresses, and their symptoms become more pronounced.
Memory care provides more comprehensive and personalized services in a secure setting.
Memory Care Treatment
Memory care provides many different services. Treatments facilitate memory production and sensory skills.
Some communities feature memory boxes. Families can place pictures and mementos in the boxes to trigger memories and comfort residents.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils such as lavender and lemon oil, which can reduce aggression.
A caregiver can also use scents to trigger memories, associating certain scents with certain objects. This encourages memory retention over the years.
Art therapy can also activate memory. Working with colors encourages residents to express how they’re feeling. Residents can portray their memories on the canvas, which keeps the memories fresh in their minds.
Storytelling is a great way to socialize and maintain memories. Residents are free to fictionalize, so they don’t have to remember every single detail. They can express how they feel and what they want to accomplish during their stay.
Residents are encouraged to make new connections through many means. Residents play games like bingo and go on scenic bus rides. Group activities can stimulate the mind and provide uplifting social interaction.
Additional Care Services
Many communities offer support groups for families. Families can meet with other families and facility staff to discuss the needs of their loved ones. These meetings usually take place once a month.
Communities also offer guest speakers. They talk to families and the public about dementia, Alzheimer’s, and eldercare. These events build a sense of community in and out of the facility.
These facilities can provide for those living with disabilities and physical needs. Caregivers are trained to address mental, physical, and psychological symptoms. When they are in doubt, they refer to professionals based outside of the facility.
Get the Care Your Loved One Deserves
It’s time that your loved one gets the care they deserve. But many people think that all communities are alike.
What is memory care? It is a distinct treatment for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It provides services and therapies designed to promote memory retention and emotional awareness.
Memory care facilities offer several services, from art therapy to aromatherapy. They also provide resources families and community members.
Consider the different services in your area and compare them. Exceptional Living Centers offers services for people of all backgrounds. Contact us today.
