To help you navigate the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, we'll help you explore the ways your family can and will support your aging loved ones.
In-Home Care Needs
After your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or another type of cognitive decline, many families will decide to handle all their care needs as a family. These in-home memory care solutions can be demanding for family members as you'll be responsible for helping them with things like:
- Daily Living Activities (e.g., dressing, bathing, hygiene, etc.)
- Transportation for appointments and social engagements
- Medication management
On top of your regular day-to-day work responsibilities and other personal obligations and needs, the demands of in-home memory care can quickly become exhausting and overwhelming. For that reason, families often hire an in-home care specialist to provide support for those responsibilities. However, there may come a time when you realize in-home care is no longer sufficient for your loved one, and they'll need to transition to a facility that specializes in dementia care in Troy, IL.
Let's examine your family's role after this transition and what you can do to make your loved one's experience in their new community more enjoyable.
How Your Family Can Help with Memory Care in Troy, IL
At assisted living and memory care communities, family members are encouraged to visit loved ones as often as they can. Whether you stop by for lunch, an afternoon outing, or an activity in the community, your family's involvement can have a significant impact on the quality of life of your loved one. Here's how.
Emotional Support and a Sense of Familiarity
It's never easy to transition into a new environment. This move brings about uncertainty and anxiety, and when you struggle with memory-related issues, that can amplify the discomfort of the situation. Your family can help make the transition easier for your loved one by providing an emotional anchor and a sense of familiarity.
By visiting regularly, you'll provide companionship and much-needed comfort for your aging loved one. Your shared experiences and familial bond will make them feel safe and supported and you'll help bridge the gap between confusion and clarity.
Enhanced Communication and Care
Seniors who have been living on their own for years may greatly value their independence and may not properly communicate their care needs to the staff of the memory care community. You and your family can act as personal advocates for your aging loved one and ensure that they get the tailored care services they need to maintain and improve their quality of life.
You can bridge the communication gap between your loved one and the staff, sharing key information about their experiences and concerns. You know your loved one better than anyone else, so any insights you can share with the facility's memory care practitioners will greatly enhance your loved one's stay in the community.
Embrace The Joys of Life
It's a significant change in life to leave one's long-term home and move into a dementia care community. This transition is obviously difficult on an emotional level, and it's easy for people to dwell on the negatives in life when this happens. Your family's presence in the community can change that perspective!
By participating in community activities together, you can help your loved one embrace the joys of life once again. You can even contact the memory care community to see if you can lead or organize fun group activities too, such as field trips to local attractions. Your familiar face and energy will work wonders for your aging loved one and help them rediscover the positives of life.
Explore our Approach to Dementia Care Today
If you are looking for memory care communities for your aging loved one, make sure you explore our home-like community in Illinois: Aspen Creek. With a 1-to-5 staff-to-resident ratio and 24/7/365 on-site supervision, your loved one will always be safe and secure with our team. We offer tons of amazing amenities and benefits for our residents, and we welcome family members to visit and participate in our activities regularly. At the Aspen Creek, you can rest easy knowing your loved one is in the best of hands with our talented team of senior living experts.
Contact us today to book your in-person tour of the Aspen Creek and see our approach to memory care in Troy, IL first-hand.