Considering a Memory Care Facility for Your Loved One

Picture this. When visiting your mother, a senior who lives alone, you find out that she forgets to pay some of her bills. She left the oven on overnight, forgetting that she turned it on to cook dinner. Your mom misses appointments, sometimes neglects to take her medications, and has provided personal information to financial scams. You're worried and spend more time checking in on her and her safety than ever before.

These are examples of probable memory and insight impairment, and your mom is showing difficulties managing daily life tasks independently. So what can be done if a loved one is experiencing these challenges? Finding a facility with memory care might be an option. This guide to memory care will cover some important topics to consider, including:

What is Memory Care?

Memory care is a type of senior living with more intensive services for people with cognitive impairments. Residents are offered structure and oversight or hands-on care with daily life tasks, depending on need. Many skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities have special memory care divisions or special care units (SCUs), with residents moving to increased supervision as needed. There are also standalone memory care facilities. The typical memory care patient shows symptoms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Other memory care patients may have cognitive challenges resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other causes. Generally, individuals in memory care need help with IADLs and will eventually need help with ADLs.

Memory care centers ensure that residents will not wander away; exits are carefully monitored and are often alarmed. Employees and visiting specialists facilitate daily social events and therapeutic activities to promote community and resident wellbeing. They provide meals, health care, and personal care. A standard rundown of memory care services includes:

• A private or semi-private room
• 24-hour personal assistance
• Three daily meals
• Medication management
• Cognitive and physical therapies
• Exercise activities
• Social activities
• Housekeeping and laundry

Friends, family, or medical professionals may have recommendations for assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, or memory care facilities. Many facilities are open for tours, and some even offer short stays as a trial visit.

Socialization, Exercise, Intellectual and Sensory Stimulation, and Memory Care

Assisted living, skilled nursing, and standalone memory care facilities often have activities focused on non-pharmaceutical interventions beneficial for brain health and dementia.
Some activities may include:

• Games and trivia
• Exercise
• Baking
• Music therapy
• Pet appreciation
• Local field trips
• Reminiscing
• Nature programs

Physical exercise, intellectual stimulation, and social interaction have been supported in research as key for brain health.3 They can also individually and cooperatively play an essential role in dementia evolution and management. Such activities have also been shown to slow disease progression4 and agitation in those with dementia.5 A benefit of a residential or memory care community is easy access to these types of activities.

Some memory care facilities have Snoezelen Rooms (a combination of the Dutch words “dose” and “sniff”). These rooms, created by Dutch psychologists in the 1970s, are controlled environments that residents might find relaxing, comforting, and safe. They are often designed with soothing colors, relaxing sounds, aromatherapy, and comfortable chairs and blankets.

Common Questions When Considering Memory Care

Here are questions to consider if you're wondering whether a loved one could benefit from a facility with memory care:

1. Have they gotten lost in previously familiar territory, as when taking a walk in their neighborhood or running errands?
2. Can your loved one state their phone number and address in case they need help returning home?
3. Does the person forget to lock their doors, making themselves vulnerable to crime?
4. Have they forgotten to turn off a stove or other potentially dangerous appliances?
5. In the event of a fire, do you believe they would handle the situation safely?
6. Has your loved one's level of personal care declined? For example, are they “not themselves” in terms of bathing, dressing, or eating?
7. Are they taking medications as scheduled? Are you confident they'll take the correct dosages?
8. Have they become uncharacteristically suspicious or fearful of others?
9. As a caregiver, are you risking your own health? Are your caregiving duties interfering too much with your other responsibilities?
10. Could your family pay for the amount of skilled in-home care or adult day care required? A limited amount of respite care could be available for free or at a low cost. If extensive help is needed, though, a residential or memory care facility could be more affordable.

If your answers to these questions have changed in recent years or you're concerned that your loved one may be suffering from memory loss, it might be useful to speak with your loved one's doctor about memory care. Luckily, there are many different options for memory care today, so you can find one that's right for you and your loved one's needs, lifestyle, and budget.