Throughout Illinois and Wyoming, we own and operate a series of memory care communities. Rest assured, we’re experts in every aspect of this service area.

What is Memory Care and What Services are Provided?

Memory care is a type of residential long-term care that provides people with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of progressive degenerative dementia with a high level of assistance. Residents of memory care facilities typically receive around-the-clock supervision and medical attention to help reduce symptoms. Residents are able to move about freely within the facility and can engage in enjoyable leisure activities like cooking meals under close supervision.

Residents of memory care facilities may have other serious health conditions aside from Alzheimer's or dementia. Memory care professionals can typically provide the additional medical services those individuals need. Seniors can choose where they want to receive their care, and even if they don’t have memory-related issues, many seniors would prefer to go into a memory care facility over a nursing home. Nursing homes are often less expensive than memory care solutions, but they lack the specialized care that memory care offers.

Memory care facilities provide many of the services offered in an assisted living facility, including three daily meals, housekeeping services and social and recreational activities. However, memory care residents may require assistance with daily living activities such as grooming, dressing, medication management, and mobility. Many memory care facilities also include additional amenities, like pet therapy programs, music therapy, art therapy, and support groups.

What Kind of Staffing and Certification Requirements Apply to Memory Care Facilities?

Now that we’ve answered the question, what is memory care, let’s dive into more specifics. Memory care facilities are regulated at both the federal and state levels. Depending on where you live, there may be additional regulations regarding staffing and certifications that apply to memory care facilities. These regulations include:

• Long-Term Care Licensing – Most states require that any facility providing memory care services hold a long-term care license.
• Health & Safety Inspections – Most states, including Illinois and Wyoming, require that memory care homes undergo regular health and safety inspections.
• Adult Protection Laws – States have varying laws about what type of background check providers are required to perform prior to hiring employees. For example, some states require criminal records checks while others do not.
• Direct Care Providers – All direct care workers, including certified nursing assistants, aides, physical therapists, and physicians, must be qualified to provide care to residents. They must complete first aid and CPR certifications and receive ongoing education.
• Certified Administrative Staff – A designated administrator must spend at least 40 hours per week on-site and be trained in long-term care.

When a loved one is suffering from dementia, you want to provide them with the most exceptional and specialized memory care services. That is exactly what you get at the Aspen Creek of Troy, the Aspen Creek of Sullivan, and the Cottonwood Creek in Cheyenne.

See Our Top Memory Care Facilities in Illinois and Cheyenne WY.

Hopefully, this blog answered your question of "what is memory care?" Our certified nurses understand the best practices for managing a wide array of memory loss conditions and symptoms in patients. Additionally, our residences feature a number of innovative amenities to keep our residents safe and happy. Between our private suites and friendly caregivers, we know your loved one will feel right at home.

Contact us today to schedule your tour of one of our memory care facilities in Illinois or Cheyenne, Wyoming.