When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care
Maris Pointe
Oct 18, 2021
Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties
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If you're reading this article, most likely someone you love is struggling with dementia or cognitive decline, and you're wondering if its time for more assistance. Maybe you're taking care of them at home and think it might be time for Memory Care. Or maybe you're wondering if they should transition from Assisted Living to Memory Care. If so, we've put together this article to guide your thoughts as you consider this important change in your loved ones life. Continue reading or feel free, if you have additional questions, to contact us.
How is Memory Care Different From Assisted Living?
Its important to know the differences between Memory Care and Assisted Living. Memory Care is a specialized form of Skilled Nursing focused on providing targeted care to seniors with dementia and dementia-related conditions. Memory Care facilities work to provide as much independence, creativity, and sense of community within an environment built around the nuances of caring for cognitively impaired seniors. Some of the major differences between Assisted Living and Memory Care include:
Specially Trained Caregivers
Everyone at a Memory Care center including administrators, doctors, nurses, and housekeepers participates in ongoing training geared to help gain a deeper understanding of what its like to live with dementia and what its like to love someone with dementia.
Focused Activities
Most Assisted Living communities offer residents activities that coincide with their interests and abilities. Memory Care facilities go one step further and offer programs that are structured to help slow down the progression of dementia while working to cheer, calm, and stimulate residents without triggering anxiety or worry. Many Memory Care centers also offer schedules that promote a healthy circadian rhythm by leveraging daylight hours for activities so residents are more likely to rest well. This can also help mitigate sundowners syndrome.
Architectural and Interior Design
Many Memory Care facilities incorporate architecture and interior design to create a safe, positive, calming environment with plenty of common areas and social gathering spaces. Most facilities don't provide kitchens to residents, which significantly reduces burn injuries and fires. Security features also help make sure residents don't wander off the premises without alerting caregivers.
Is it Time to Transition From Assisted Living to Memory Care?
If you're wondering if its time for your loved one to transition from Assisted Living to Memory Care, take a moment to consider these questions regarding their well-being:
Is it safe for them to continue living in their current environment?
Are you worried about them getting lost or wandering?
Are they neglecting their health or hygiene?
Could their behavior cause harm to others?
What do medical professionals and other family members suggest?
Are there resources to help them age in place, or is a move necessary to provide care and protection?
Finally, ask yourself, If it were me, what would I want done? These questions will help you think more clearly and objectively when considering this difficult decision.
Helpful Tips
Fortunately, you are not the first person to wonder if its time for Memory Care for a loved one. Many, many people including family members, caregivers and doctors have been through exactly what you're experiencing and have a lot of wisdom to share. We've highlighted a few helpful ideas below, but its just the tip of the iceberg. A wealth of knowledge is available from caring individuals and professionals who know what you're going through and want to help.
Choose the Right Facility
Do your research to find the facility that's the right fit for your loved one. Know the community policies and procedures, the security protocols, and the amenities and treatments available.
Make Several Visits Before Moving Day
Help give your loved one a sense of comfort and familiarity by visiting the Memory Care community as often as necessary, for as long as necessary, before the move.
Be Positive About the Facility
When you visit the prospective Memory Care center, point out positive aspects of the community. Focus on the possibilities, and try to be as excited as you would be about moving to a new apartment or home. Where would be the perfect place for Moms antique chair? Is there a piano Dad could play?
Validate Their Feelings
If your loved one expresses anger or frustration about the idea of moving, take time to listen, empathize, and validate their feelings. Tell them you understand why they feel the way they do and that you would probably feel the same way in their situation. Validating their feelings doesn't mean you have to change your course of action, but it will help your loved one feel heard and cared for.
How Can We Help?
If you have additional questions about when to move from Assisted Living to Memory Care, please don't hesitate to call or contact us. We look forward to meeting your needs with kindness and consideration. Explore a Eagle Senior Living Community near you.
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For professionals serving seniors, a home can sometimes be the biggest piece of the transition puzzle.But what happens when that home isn't an ordinary property?What if your client owns a $1 million, $2 million or multimillion-dollar luxury or waterfront home?A senior may be downsizing, transitioning to independent or assisted living, moving closer to family, settling an estate, or simply deciding that maintaining a large property no longer makes sense.For senior living professionals, elder law attorneys, estate planners, financial advisors, care managers, move managers and other professionals helping with that transition, there is an important option worth knowing about:The homeowner may be able to sell a luxury property privately and directly, without first putting it on the public market.Why Can Selling a Senior's Luxury Home Be Different?Luxury and waterfront properties can present challenges that aren't always present in a typical home sale.The property may be a waterfront estate on Casey Key, a residence on Bird Key, a condominium overlooking Sarasota Bay, or a distinctive home on Siesta Key or Longboat Key.The owner may have lived there for decades.The home may contain valuable possessions, artwork and deeply personal belongings. It may need updating. Adult children may live hundreds of miles away. And the family may already be coordinating a significant life transition.For some homeowners, maximum exposure to the real estate market is the priority. In that situation, publicly marketing the property may make sense.But other seniors have very different priorities:Privacy. Simplicity. Certainty. Flexibility.They may not want strangers repeatedly touring their home.They may not want photographs of their home's interior and possessions published online.They may not want to renovate, stage or prepare the property for the luxury market.And they may not want their move dependent upon months of marketing, inspections and a buyer obtaining financing.For those homeowners, a private direct sale may be another option worth considering.Can a Senior Sell a Luxury Home Without Publicly Listing It?Yes.A luxury homeowner can explore a direct sale without first broadly marketing the property.Private Luxury Home Sales considers select luxury, waterfront and distinctive properties throughout Sarasota and Florida's Gulf Coast for direct purchase. A homeowner can request a confidential property review before deciding whether a private sale or broader market exposure better fits their objectives.This can allow an owner to explore an offer without first going through the traditional process of preparing and publicly marketing the property.Why Might Privacy Matter to an Older Luxury Homeowner?For some affluent seniors, privacy isn't simply a preference.It can be an important part of the selling decision.Imagine a homeowner who has spent 25 or 30 years in the same waterfront residence.Inside may be family photographs, artwork, collections, jewelry, antiques and other personal possessions.A traditional luxury marketing campaign can involve professional photography, video, aerial photography, online advertising and numerous people entering the property.Some homeowners are completely comfortable with that exposure.Others aren't.A private direct sale provides another route. When Private Luxury Home Sales evaluates a property for potential direct purchase, broad public marketing isn't necessary merely to consider the home. For a senior who values discretion, that difference can matter.Does the Luxury Home Need to Be Renovated First?Not necessarily.One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding high-value real estate is that every luxury property must be extensively updated before it can be sold.A longtime owner may have an exceptional property in an exceptional location while the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring or other features are dated.Preparing that property for the retail luxury market could potentially involve substantial renovations, contractors, staging and months of work.A direct buyer evaluates the property differently.Private Luxury Home Sales considers properties as-is, including residences requiring updates or significant renovation. That can be particularly relevant when an older homeowner or the homeowner's family doesn't want to oversee a major renovation before selling.Which Senior Clients Might Benefit From Knowing About This Option?You don't need to determine whether a private sale is right for your client.You simply need to recognize situations where having another option could be valuable.Consider the homeowner who is:Downsizing from a large luxury residence. Transitioning into independent or assisted living. Moving closer to adult children. Managing a home after the death of a spouse. Selling an inherited luxury or waterfront property. Handling a property through an estate or trust. Living out of state while responsible for a parent's Florida property. Facing substantial deferred maintenance or renovation. Concerned about privacy and public exposure. Looking for greater certainty about the timing of the sale. Those are situations where understanding both the public-market and private-sale alternatives can help a family make a more informed decision.What's the Most Important Question to Ask Your Client?There is one question professionals can ask that may reveal a great deal:What matters most to you when the home is sold?Listen carefully to the answer.Is it achieving maximum exposure to the marketplace?Maintaining privacy?Avoiding repairs?Controlling the closing date?Avoiding repeated showings?Reducing uncertainty?Making the transition as simple as possible?There isn't one correct answer.The homeowner's priorities should help determine which selling strategy deserves consideration.Private Sale vs. Traditional Luxury ListingA private direct sale and a traditional luxury listing serve different objectives.Traditional public marketing provides broader exposure to potential buyers and may create greater price discovery and competition.A private direct sale can emphasize privacy, simplicity, convenience, an as-is transaction and greater certainty about the process.Neither approach should automatically be assumed to be right for every senior homeowner.The value to your client comes from understanding that there is more than one option.One More Resource for Your Professional ToolboxProfessionals serving seniors don't need to become real estate experts.But they are frequently the first people to recognize a problem.A senior living advisor may hear:Mom is ready to move, but we don't know what to do with the house.An elder law attorney may be helping a family deal with an estate containing a multimillion-dollar residence.A move manager may discover that preparing a 4,000-square-foot waterfront home for the market is becoming overwhelming.A financial advisor may have a client whose largest single asset is a luxury property.Knowing that a confidential direct-sale option exists gives you another resource to share with the family.Private Luxury Home Sales specializes in select luxury, waterfront and distinctive properties throughout Sarasota and Florida's Gulf Coast. Its Seniors Blue Book profile specifically includes waterfront estates, Gulf and bayfront homes, boating properties, inherited luxury homes, second homes and properties requiring substantial updating. When You Encounter the Right ClientIf you're working with a senior or family who owns a luxury or waterfront property, consider asking one additional question:Would they like to understand their private-sale option before deciding how to sell the property?There is no obligation to accept an offer simply because the property is evaluated.Sometimes the homeowner will determine that traditional market exposure is the better choice.Sometimes privacy, simplicity and certainty will matter more.Either way, knowing the options before making the decision is valuable.Private Luxury Home SalesSarasota & Florida Gulf CoastPrivate Direct As-Is Close on Your Timeline For more information, please contact Jeff Nemeth at 941-202-6957
When to Consider Knee Replacement Surgery
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Discover Comfortable Senior Living at Suncoast Club at Prestancia
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