If you’re a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, you know that, at some point, your Loved one will require around-the-clock care. Should they remain at home and be looked after by family and home care providers, or should your loved one make a move to a memory care community? The best answer depends on your family, your circumstances, and your loved one.

Families that have faced this question say that the best thing to do is evaluate the current situation and gather as much information as possible. The questions below may be helpful when determining what kind of care your loved one needs:

• Is my loved one safe here at home? Can I ensure that someone will supervise them around the clock to prevent wandering or an accident?
• Can I physically manage their needs?
• Is my physical health at risk due to the pressures of caretaking?
• Is my mental health suffering because of stress, lack of sleep, or isolation?
• Am I able to balance my obligations to work or my family?
• Would my loved one benefit from more structure, social interaction, and activities?

Even with careful planning before a move, making the transition from home to a memory care community can be a stressful experience. You may feel guilty and wonder if you are doing the right thing. Remember that whatever you decide, the priority is to ensure your loved one has the proper care.

Many families mistakenly feel that moving a loved one to a memory care center means “giving up” on their loved one’s health as the disease progresses. But in fact, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients who are residents of good memory care communities are shown to have a higher quality of life.  Specifically, these residents take fewer medications, have fewer falls, and spend less time in the hospital. They also enjoy more independence and better nutrition.

And even though Alzheimer’s and dementia are progressive diseases, studies show that as many as 75 percent of residents in memory care communities with personalized therapeutic programs experience a periodic slowing or stalling in the progression of their symptoms.

Research is critical when considering a memory care community for a loved one.  Invest the time to tour several places, ask hard questions and explore all options before deciding.  Make an unscheduled visit if you’d like to see the community at different times of the day.

When you tour a community, observe how the staff interacts with community residents.  Ask what types of dementia-specific training is provided and how behavioral and medical issues are handled. Find out what might happen if your loved one has a medical emergency. Getting these answers now will ensure that you can feel confident in your choice if the time comes to make  a move to a memory care community.

Be sure to ask how their memory caregivers communicate with family members. They should have a plan that clearly states how often family members receive updates and how often a family planning meeting will occur.

At Avalon Memory Care, we can assure you that placing your loved one in the hands of our memory care specialists will significantly benefit them and you.  Every aspect of our community is specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, so your loved one can maintain a high quality of life even as the impairment progresses. We prioritize safety and security, so you can be assured that your loved one is safe. Our memory care community values good communication with our families. We are here to be of support to your loved one in their everyday life so you can spend quality time with them as a loving family member.

If you have questions about memory care or would like to visit our community, give Holly Bagwell a call at (469) 693-9543. We would love to show you around.

Resources:

https://aging.com/how-to-decide-on-the-best-memory-care-to-suit-your-loved-one/

https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy-aging/what-is-memory-care/

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2019/memory-care-alzheimers-dementia.html

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/long-term-care

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-memory-care-facility-190140.htm