As we grow older, forgetting a few things here and there is to be expected; in fact, absent-mindedness is fairly common. When memory loss becomes more than just a little absent-mindedness, it might be a sign of a degenerative illness such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Although memory processing may slow with age, forgetting details like your home address or the current year are signs of a considerably different issue.
The statistics regarding Alzheimer’s and dementia in the United States are staggering. According to www.alz.org, more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease and nearly 15 percent of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s are long-distance caregivers.
In response to this trend, many senior living communities now offer services that accommodate older adults with memory impairments. In our case, we call this service “Memory Care” or “Life Guidance.”
But, what does this mean?
It is our position that a person with dementia can continue to live an engaging, meaningful and joyful life. Why should their experience with aging be much different? Emotionally, they seek the same thing we all do – security, fulfillment and joy.
For these individuals and their families dealing with the challenges of dementia, we offer a forward-thinking memory care program featuring thoughtfully designed spaces, innovative programming and industry-leading quality standards.
We purposefully structure an intimate setting that allows our specially trained staff to provide more personalized care and attention. We also create welcoming, vibrant neighborhoods that feature comfortable amenities and secure outdoor spaces.
But, most importantly, we employ a whole-person approach to events programming that offers abundant opportunities tailored to personal interests.
For any memory care community, there are a few expectations you should keep in mind when you are considering your options.
First, there should be private or semi-private rooms available for your family member. This allows for as much independence as possible, with appropriate monitoring given the state of the resident’s impairment.
Of course, you should expect regular services such as daily meals, housekeeping and laundry service. There should also be careful and documented medical management services available.
An effective memory care provider should feature a full calendar of engaging events, specifically designed for those with memory impairments. Daily engagements should be planned and the caregivers should be equipped to handle these types of residents with confidence and meaningful attention.
And, of course, 24-hour assistance from a personalized team of caregivers is a necessity.
