About 70% of seniors need some kind of long-term care, whether in a nursing home or a memory care facility, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. If you have decided to get your senior loved one into a memory care facility, your next task is finding the right community for them. This can be a daunting process, especially if you don’t know what to expect. A suitable memory care facility should suit your family member’s needs. To help you understand better the things to look for, we have listed a few tips to guide your search for a suitable memory care facility.
Know Your Loved One’s Needs
While most memory care facilities work to ensure they cover everything a senior may need, some facilities are more suitable for some seniors than others. With that said, you need to carefully assess your loved one’s needs before starting your search for the best facility. A great memory care facility should identify and prioritize your loved one’s needs. For instance, you want to know whether your senior loved one has a chronic condition or has difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating, bathing, and dressing. This will help you assess and enquire how the staff will assist your loved one.
Understand Memory Care Features and Amenities
Once you know your loved one’s needs, your next step is to match these needs with what the facilities offer. Ideally, facilities will have standard memory care amenities and features such as specific meals for specific diets and concierge services. While all these are important, you may want to focus on the unique ones that make the facility stand out. You can also have a priority list to ensure you don’t skip the essential features.
Focus on Comfort
Comfort is the most crucial feature in a memory care facility. You want to make sure that you leave your loved one in good hands and an environment they will enjoy living in for the rest of their sunset years. Ask about the type of accommodation available, the living arrangements, and the entertainment features offered. You can also ask to be taken around to assess whether the facility feels homelike, steering away from hospital fluorescent lighting and linoleum floors. Check for features such as comfortable seating, vintage photographs, and plenty of space for group interactions.
Assess Safety
Seniors have to deal with age-related conditions such as dementia which can manifest in the form of aggression in the later stages. Ask how seniors with dementia are cared for, especially if they verbally or physically abuse others. You also want to check the lighting in the facility to ensure there is plenty of natural light and well-lit dark areas to prevent falls. The floor should not be slippery, and rooms and corridors should provide plenty of space for movement. Other safety features you need to consider include security cameras, motion sensor technology, keypad entry, alarms and emergency exits, 24 –hour supervised care, and secure courtyards for secure wandering.
Enquire About the Available Memory Enhancing Therapies
Helping your senior loved one with their memory can improve their quality of life. If your loved one has not yet started showing signs of memory loss, they can still take therapies, tests, and treatments that help reduce the risk of memory loss, dementia, and other associated health conditions.
Assess How the Memory Care Facility Focuses on Your Loved Ones’ Interests
Since every senior is different, make sure that the facility you choose includes customized memory care activities that can add meaning, purpose, and fun to a senior’s life. Ensure that the staff is more focused on knowing your loved one and helping them with their specific needs. Review the facility’s calendar of activities and determine whether they offer enough programs for residents to engage in. Some of the activities you can expect a memory care facility to provide include cooking, board games, painting, gardening, music programs, and community events.
