Who is a Good Candidate for Memory Care?
People who require a higher level of attention than what is offered in an assisted living facility, or who have advanced forms of dementia that make it unsafe to reside at home alone, may find memory care to be their best long-term option. Nursing homes provide 24/7 medical attention, but they don't usually offer the same level of personal care that memory care facilities and caregivers can.
We should note that some memory caregivers can provide care directly in patients’ homes. However, individuals who need memory care services often need consistent care and attention, which makes it more difficult for home caregivers to provide adequate care. For many individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it makes more sense to move into a memory care community.
Residents of memory care facilities are generally free of any serious health issues aside from Alzheimer's or related conditions, and they can no longer safely live in their own homes. Those individuals might become lost while taking a walk outside, or they could become injured due to falls. At memory care communities, these risks are drastically reduced.
Services Offered by Memory Care Homes
Memory care facilities are designed to provide residents with a safe environment where they can live comfortably while receiving the assistance needed to maintain their independence. These settings often include amenities like private apartments/suites, three daily meals, housekeeping services, personal laundry and linens services, and daily social and recreational activities. They also feature on-site medical professionals, like 24/7 nursing care, to ensure residents are always healthy, comfortable, and safe. Some facilities even offer in-unit medical alert systems to help staff keep a watchful eye on residents.
How Memory Care Compares to Other Types of Long-Term Care
While memory care is sometimes confused with assisted living, the latter is generally thought of as being less restrictive. Assisted living offers independent living options and may only provide minimal services, such as meal preparation and housekeeping, whereas memory care communities' focus on providing round-the-clock support.
The majority of people who enter memory care do so because they've been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. However, residents who require skilled nursing care due to injuries or illnesses unrelated to dementia are also eligible for memory care.
Residents' needs vary depending on their age and level of cognitive impairment. Some residents might require constant monitoring of vital signs, while others might just want someone around to talk to. Staff members must be trained to provide the appropriate level of care to each resident.
Really Though, What Does "Memory Care" Mean?
We've given you a few examples of what a memory care facility is like, what services they offer, and how it compares to long-term care. The term "memory care" encompasses a wide range of services and is a reliable senior living solution for individuals will all kinds of memory-related conditions or issues including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and others.
Memory care facilities often include skilled nursing units where residents receive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and physical therapies. Some memory care facilities also offer assisted living apartments, independent living suites, and respite options.
If your loved one requires long-term residential care, he or she may benefit from memory care services.
Ready to Start the Transition to Memory Care?
Now that you know what memory care means, you should have an easier time deciding where to place your loved one. At The Creeks, we manage multiple innovative assisted living communities that specialize solely in memory care services. We have locations in Troy and Sullivan, Illinois, along with Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Contact us today to schedule your tour of one of our amazing memory care facilities.