When Alzheimer’s Affects Your Loved One

1. Memory Care Assisted Living CommunitiesMemory care is a specialized form of assisted living that focuses on residents with memory-related challenges. These communities offer: Secured Environments: Prevent wandering and ensure safety. Trained Staff: Professionals experienced in dementia care. Structured Activities: Programs designed to promote cognitive function and social engagement. Memory care facilities are ideal for individuals who need daily assistance and a structured routine. 2. Skilled Nursing Facilities with Memory CareFor individuals requiring medical supervision in addition to memory care, skilled nursing facilities often provide: 24/7 Medical Assistance: Nurses and doctors available to manage complex health conditions. Specialized Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech therapies tailored to residents with memory loss. Comprehensive Care Plans: Addressing both cognitive and physical health needs. These facilities cater to residents with advanced dementia or coexisting medical conditions. 4. Adult Day Care CentersAdult day care centers offering memory care services provide daytime support for individuals while allowing them to return home in the evening. Key benefits include: Respite for Family Caregivers: Time for caregivers to rest or focus on other responsibilities. Engaging Activities: Socialization opportunities, games, and exercises tailored to memory care needs. Professional Oversight: Ensuring safety and well-being during the day. This option is ideal for families who want to balance professional care with at-home living. 5. In-Home Memory Support ServiceFor those who prefer to remain in their own homes, memory support can be brought directly to the individual. In-home services may include: Caregiver Assistance: Help with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. Cognitive Engagement: Memory exercises and stimulating activities provided by trained professionals. Safety Modifications: Recommendations for making the home safer for individuals with dementia. In-home support allows for familiar surroundings while ensuring proper care. 6. Community and Nonprofit OrganizationsMany local organizations and nonprofits offer memory support programs, including: Support Groups: Providing emotional and practical guidance for families and caregivers. Educational Workshops: Teaching coping strategies and care techniques. Day Programs: Offering structured activities for individuals with memory challenges. These services are often more affordable and widely accessible.

1. Safety and SecurityMemory support programs prioritize creating environments that minimize risks and promote independence. Key safety features include: Secured Entrances: To prevent wandering and ensure residents stay within safe areas. Emergency Call Systems: Allowing immediate access to assistance when needed. Easy-to-Navigate Layouts: Thoughtfully designed spaces that reduce confusion and enhance mobility. These measures provide peace of mind for residents and their families while fostering a sense of freedom and security.2. Specialized Care and Trained StaffCaregivers in memory support facilities are specifically trained to address the unique needs of individuals with memory challenges. They provide: Behavior Management: Using calm and effective techniques to handle agitation, confusion, or anxiety. Personalized Assistance: Tailored care plans designed to meet each residents specific needs. Emotional Support: Building trusting relationships to foster comfort and reduce fear. This expertise ensures compassionate and professional care every day.3. Engaging ActivitiesMemory support programs focus on activities that promote cognitive function, creativity, and social engagement. Examples include: Reminiscence Therapy: Using familiar music, photos, or objects to evoke positive memories. Art and Music Therapy: Encouraging self-expression while reducing stress. Puzzles, Games, and Physical Activities: Enhancing focus, mobility, and overall well-being. These activities help residents stay mentally active and emotionally fulfilled.4. Family SupportMemory support services extend beyond residents to offer valuable assistance to families. This includes: Education: Providing information about memory loss conditions and their progression. Counseling: Offering emotional support to help families navigate their loved ones journey. Connection Strategies: Guiding families on how to maintain meaningful relationships with their loved ones. By equipping families with knowledge and resources, memory support programs help strengthen bonds and alleviate stress. 5. Access to Specialized ResourcesMemory support facilities provide access to additional resources that enhance care, such as: Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to improve mobility, daily living skills, and communication. Medical Support: On-site or nearby medical care for residents with complex health needs. Educational Workshops: Helping families better understand dementia and stay connected with their loved ones. These resources empower both residents and their families to navigate challenges more effectively.

Watching someone you love experience memory loss and confusion can be emotionally challenging. Youve come to the decision memory care is the best form of support your loved one needs and will offer them the best quality of life. In this blog, we will dive into what steps are next, giving you the knowledge and resources to make the essential choices for your loved one. We all want our loved ones to receive compassionate care and the correct amount of attention, so lets get started. #1 Research Memory Care Communities  After deciding, an easy first step to research is typing in memory care facilities in you or your loved ones area. Click around and spend some time on the websites that appear. When researching in the designated area, take the time to focus on pricing. Some facilities offer a monthly fee or all-inclusive, while others offer prices based on the level of care your loved one needs. Pricing can have a significant impact where you choose, but other factors like amenities, services, location and reviews also play a role.  When it comes to amenities, its important facilities offer assistance with daily activities. Daily activities include bathing, dressing, and medication management. Activities with cognitive stimulation and social engagement will be vital to your loved ones overall well-being and cognitive function. Locate the top facilities within budget that you believe will promote the best sense of belonging and a reduced feeling of isolation. #2 Take a Tour Its important to see the facilities in person rather than on their website. Observe your visit closely. Pay attention to whether the staff are friendly and helpful, if the residents look happy, and if it feels comfortable. Explore the kind of activities going on, art therapy, puzzles, music, are some of the stimulating activities memory care facilities should be offering. On this tour, its important to be able to ask questions and come prepared. Evaluate the safety and security measures being followed, handrails, well-lit rooms, and secure outdoor areas. The fun stuff on a tour is important, keep tabs if the amenities match what they advertise on their website, if they are up to standard as well as checking to see if their nurses are Certified Dementia Practitioners. When touring a facility, ask questions regarding the staff to resident ratio to evaluate if proper personalized care will be provided. This is your time to express any concerns, ask questions, and see the physical environment for yourself. #3 Evaluate Financial Planning and Support To understand and be up to date, youll need to explore funding options. Consulting with a financial advisor to look at your loved ones financial situation can help you determine the best payment options. Familiarize yourself with the different costs like meals, accommodations, and specialized programs. Create a budget if needed, and plan for any future needs for your loved one as the disease progresses.  Evaluate your loved ones financial situation; their income, savings, and assets. You can explore funding options to help with the cost of memory care, like Medicaid. If you plan on creating a budget, take into account any ongoing costs for your loved one, medical and personal, to make sure you or your loved one does not have any financial strain in the future. Joining a support group can help you learn from others experiences and get advice from others in similar situations. #4 Discuss a Care Plan in Advance Its important to develop a care plan which is individually based on your loved ones specific needs. This disease will eventually take away their ability to make cognizant decisions when it comes to health. Its important to lay out from the beginning what the necessary steps are to take as this disease continues to progress. Creating a will in advance will allow your loved ones assets and belongings to be distributed how they specified before the turn of the diagnosis. Choosing a power of attorney, AKA proxy, should be someone close and able to make proper medical decisions. Check out more about financial planning when choosing memory care. Include family members and healthcare professionals when creating and deciding on your loved ones treatment. Discussing treatment options with doctors and geriatric specialists can help lead you to make the proper decisions about care options, for treatment, medication, and symptom management. Remember to consider your loved ones preferences so you can make decisions tailored to them and their needs. One of the most important reminders with a loved one in memory care is regularly review and update the plan. If your loved ones condition has changed, it may be time to reevaluate the care plan and treatment options.  #5 Plan and Prepare for the Transition As your loved one moves into memory care, here are three main things to remember: -Change the mailing address to your loved ones new address. -Cancel any cable and Wi-Fi subscriptions. -Update addresses on cards and accounts. Being prepared will make the transition much smoother and more efficient. Prepare for the emotional transition as well, openly communicate with your loved one on their needs and preferences. For example, validate their emotions, take part in activities with them, create a personalized living space to keep your loved one comfortable, seek support for yourself if you need, and stay positive! Click here for more information on packing for memory care. When preparing for the transition of your loved one into a memory care facility, make sure to share all relevant information with the facility staff. Letting the staff know their medical history, needs, and daily routines will help to ensure a proper transition because it will be a big change for them. From then on, actively staying engaged with your loved one, staff, and the facility will help you to stay up to date on their well-being and any changes.  Deciding memory care is the best form of care for your loved one, is not easy. But, by taking the proactive steps needed, you can help ensure your loved one has the best possible care and life. This transition can bring many mixed emotions to you, your family and your loved one. Remind yourself you are making a decision to prioritize your loved ones health, safety, comfort and well-being. Stay on top of your and the facilities communication and always openly address concerns. Embrace this new chapter. You are not alone in this ride, seek help and assistance where needed, spend time with your loved one, visit them for events, connect with their stories and remember to always celebrate small victories.