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Aging seniors often find themselves needing assistance in their daily living. Seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia can have even more difficulties. Senior memory care provides these individuals with needed care while helping them feel valued, successful, and loved.
What is Memory Care?
Memory care, like that offered at Western Slope Memory Care, is a specific kind of assisted living or nursing home care. A memory care unit has a smaller staff-to-patient ratio and meets the social, medical, and safety needs of aging adults who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. Ideally, memory care will take a holistic look at each resident’s needs.
Memory Care Goals
The goals of memory care are to keep residents safe and maintain as much independence and dignity as possible. The amount of care will depend on each person. In the early stages of dementia, many residents can live somewhat independently. When they are in the middle stages of dementia, twenty-four-hour supervision is needed. During the final stages, care may need to be more intensive.
Programs in memory care units promote engagement and brain health. Residential units will provide physical activity, a healthy diet, and cognitive training. Memory care facilities always have careful security. Alarmed doors and enclosed outside environments keep residents safe.
Benefits of Memory Care
Memory care does not help an aging senior rehabilitate. They will not get rid of their disease. The care focuses on helping seniors learn and adapt to living with the disease so they can be as independent as possible and enjoy life to its fullest.
Cost of Memory Care
Assisted living, nursing care, and memory care are expensive. Assisted living facilities range from $4,000 to $8,000 per month per resident. Memory care costs are usually an additional $1,000.
Insurance Coverage
Health insurance doesn’t usually pay for memory care. Long-term care insurance, however, can cover nursing homes and memory care. The exact benefits will depend on the policy. Other programs that might help include Medicaid, Social Security Disability Income, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans’ Affairs benefits, Disability insurance, and state health insurance assistance programs.
What Are Memory Care Facilities Like?
Memory care facilities look and feel similar to assisted living communities or retirement homes. Most communities have a dining room where residents eat their meals, common areas like lounges, game rooms, fitness centers, and activity rooms. They often have enclosed patios or walking paths, gardens, and seating.
Typically, senior accommodations include studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. They have emergency call systems that connect with caregivers immediately. Memory care facilities usually have motion-activated lights, digital locks on exterior doors, and include cameras and alarms.
Some communities are built with curved walls to eliminate disorienting residents. Sometimes, memory boxes are put outside each room. These hold personal items that help residents remember which room is theirs. Memory care units often are painted with soft colors and have dim lighting to minimize overstimulation. This also lessens residents’ agitation.
Engaging Activities
Residents will enjoy a full social calendar that changes regularly. They stay engaged with daily planned activities that help maintain their abilities. Dancing, art classes, and music programs are some ways residents spend their days.
Just because aging seniors may be experiencing memory loss does not mean they need to sacrifice their quality of life. Experienced, caring memory care communities are ready to care for them in the most individual way possible.
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This content is brought to you by Rick Hopkins
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