How can you accurately compare providers near you? What qualities should you look for in a dementia care community? Are there key considerations that you need to carefully evaluate? As dementia care experts, we're here to set the record straight for you.

What To Keep In Mind When Comparing St. Louis Dementia Care Options

As you start to develop a shortlist of options for dementia care near St. Louis, remember to keep the following factors in mind.

Quality And Type Of Care Services

One thing that you must keep in mind during your search is the quality and type of memory care services each provider can offer.

As you look through options, you'll likely find some assisted living communities that have specialized memory care units on-site. While this might seem like an appealing option right now, we urge you to look elsewhere!

If a residence is not 100% dedicated to dementia care services, they likely cannot provide the type of care that your loved one needs. Eventually, that assisted living facility will likely ask you to pay extra to bring in additional outside assistance for your loved one.

You can avoid that scenario by taking the time now to carefully evaluate each community's quality and type of memory care services.

Security & Safety

As you compare providers, evaluate how they keep residents safe and sound at all hours of the day. After all, a diagnosis of dementia brings about a number of safety concerns. Symptoms of dementia, such as impaired judgment and wandering behaviors, can pose risks to the well-being of your loved one (SeniorLink).

For that reason, the top facilities on your shortlist should rely on state-of-the-art surveillance tech and have low patient-to-staff ratios. If you want absolute peace of mind, consider dementia care communities that are located outside of the city.

The Aspen Creek of Troy, for instance, is just a 25-minute drive from St. Louis, MO in the small community of Troy, IL. This safe and scenic rural landscape is the perfect location for our memory care facility. Our residents are perfectly safe in this quiet town, thanks to our monitored exits and 1:5 staff-to-patient ratio.

Memory Care Therapies

There is no cure for dementia. Once your loved one is diagnosed with dementia, their condition will slowly progress and worsen over time. Fortunately, there are many innovative therapies and treatments that can greatly benefit those with dementia and even alleviate their symptoms.

Medications, like Cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists, are the most common treatment for dementia. However, psychological and behavioral therapies can work wonders for those battling with dementia.

Aromatherapy, for instance, can help prepare residents for bed by preventing and reducing wandering behaviors associated with dementia. Pet therapy is another great treatment for those with dementia as it can help improve mood, increase social interaction, and reduce behavioral problems.

As you research dementia care providers, be sure to consider what kinds of therapies and treatments they can offer your loved one.

Community Atmosphere

This factor can be a little difficult to gauge online, but it is nevertheless important. You want to make sure that your loved one will fit in and feel comfortable in their new environment. For that reason, you'll want to carefully evaluate the general atmosphere of the community. Here are just a few qualities to look for in each residence:

• A home-like environment - Does the community look and feel like a home? Or does it generally feel more like a nursing home?
• Social activities - Do residents participate in daily games and activities? Do they take day trips and social excursions to nearby attractions?
• Home-cooked meals - What can you expect to see on the menu each day? Are special diets catered for? Do residents eat together regularly?
• Friendly staff members - Do caregivers make the time to sit and chat with residents? Do they show genuine interest in the backgrounds of residents?

The best way to gauge the general atmosphere of a dementia care community is through an in-person visit. So when you tour each facility, don't forget to consider how the community feels to you.

Visit The Creeks: Top-Tier St. Louis Dementia Care Services

The Aspen Creek of Troy is one of your best options near St. Louis for dementia care services. Our specialized memory care community has certified caregivers on staff 24/7 to provide personalized care to all of our residents. With plenty of unique amenities, features, and beneficial therapies, we know that our residence will feel just like a home to your loved one.

Contact the Aspen Creek of Troy today to schedule your tour of our exceptional dementia care community.