The Top Seven Benefits of Memory Care for Dementia Residents

The progression of dementia is different for each person who’s been diagnosed with the disease. It can begin with random forgetfulness and escalate to create hazardous conditions around the house.

A person who is struggling with dementia needs supportive care. When it becomes too challenging to provide that support, family members might decide to transition their loved one to a long-term care facility that is dedicated to memory care.

Memory care is a type of long-term residential care similar to a nursing home, but it focuses on helping people living with dementia maintain a quality of life through targeted care plans designed to meet each resident’s individual needs. The following are the top seven benefits of memory care.

1. Trained Staff

Residents who are dealing with dementia need specialized care. The staff attending to these residents have undergone additional focused training that provides them with the skills to care for people with dementia.

These skills include helping manage shifting behaviors that are often prevalent in dementia patients, such as paranoia, anxiety, and disorientation.

2. Around-the-Clock Support

When your loved one’s dementia advances, they will have struggles with completing simple tasks like dressing, brushing their teeth, and staying clean. There could also be developing issues with using the bathroom. Your loved one will get direct help with all those tasks at a memory care facility.

Specialized staff will be on call throughout the day and night.

3. Customized Care Plans

Every person struggling with dementia has different needs, including personal care and engagement.

For instance, some residents might benefit from listening to music, while others find engagement with particular television or radio programs. Your loved one will have a customized care plan to address their physical, emotional, and medical needs.

4. Safe Environment

Many potential hazards in the home are compounded when someone has dementia. A stove can be left on, or faucets can be left running. There is also the risk of the person wandering off. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in 10 people who are suffering from dementia will wander off at least once.

Memory care facilities are safe environments with locked doors that prevent residents from wandering off without supervision.

5. Engaging Activities

One of the goals of a memory care facility is to keep the residents engaged. A schedule of activities tailored to the residents’ interests will be provided. These activities can include art and music therapy, games, stretching, and general socialization.

Many studies have demonstrated positive results in improving cognitive function through consistent engagement.

6. Focused Health Care

When someone is diagnosed with dementia, they will need focused health care. Along with the plans for engagement activities, the memory care staff will have a special plan that addresses all the health care needs of your loved one, including the administration of prescription medication.

7. Promote Independence

As mentioned, every dementia patient is unique. Although it might not be feasible for them to live independently, they could still do a lot to care for themselves.

The memory care staff will promote independence and allow your loved one to continue dressing, bathing, eating meals, and making decisions about their daily schedule. Those same caregivers will be ready to provide whatever support they need to promote their independence.

Above all else, memory care provides peace of mind to the family. You might be caring for your loved one who is struggling with dementia. There is nothing wrong with admitting that this is a considerable challenge that impacts the entire family.

When you help your loved one transition to memory care, you’ll be able to get back to spending more quality time with them without the added responsibility of providing them with the around-the-clock care they need.

If you’re considering memory care, you’ll find helpful resources at My Nursing Home Abuse Guide.