As our loved ones grow older, some of them may develop a loss of memory as part of the natural aging process. Memory care, also widely known as Alzheimer’s care, is a program that cares for the unique needs of people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and helps them lead an improved and holistic life.
Sometimes, serious cognitive impairment may arise with the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia, including:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Personality changes
- Inappropriate behaviors
People with advanced dementia may require around-the-clock supervised care, especially if they have difficulty performing routine activities of daily living, such as going to the bathroom, showering, and dressing. Affected individuals may suffer from disorientation, confusion, and they may become more guarded and aggressive.
These symptoms may cause caregivers added stress and worry over their loved one’s safety. In some cases, the severity may be overwhelming enough to become detrimental to the caregiver’s overall health. When this happens, perhaps it is time to seek some assistance in caring for your loved one.
Memory care programs provide a safe, specially designed environment that makes it easy for residents to navigate by decreasing confusion and reducing risks of wandering. Here are some basics a good memory care program should provide.
A Safe and Calm Environment
The most important component of any memory care facility is the environment in which your loved ones will receive their care. Ideally, it should be a “haven”, for both physical and emotional safety. Proper lighting and distinctly designed spaces help to reduce confusion. Enriching amenities such as a garden or private courtyard do wonders for easing anxiety in residents, and can allow them to spend time outdoors.
In addition, safety features such as security systems that prevent residents from wandering off, healthcare administered by on-site nursing professionals, and safety protocols are all essential for a well-designed memory care program.
Unique Care Programs
Memory care facilities often provide quality care coordination where team members work closely to evaluate residents and prepare activities in line with their abilities and needs. Services that encourage brain health and adequate socialization help to reduce the negative effects of memory-related illnesses are vital in increasing quality of life. These include a healthy mix of physical activity and interactive group activities to give your loved ones ample opportunity to relax in good company.
Special, Person-Centered Approach
The best experiences start with a good care team – after all, your loved ones should get access to the proper care they need. A team that is dedicated, committed to excellent caregiving, and prioritizes engaging interactions would let your loved ones go about their daily activities with ease and comfort.
With a low team member-to-resident ratio, the team can develop a deeper relationship with the residents and their family members to create a mutual understanding of what needs the residents under their care have, and how to customize a dementia care plan to meet them.
At TerraBella Marchbanks, we provide Person-Centered Memory Care to engage our residents. The program is designed and specially developed to include effective techniques and approaches to memory care, with the main goal of creating positive experiences in many areas of our residents’ lives.
