What Is Memory Care? Understanding Specialized Care for Dementia and Alzheimer's
According to The BMJ, 40% of Americans over 65 struggle with memory problems. This is about 16 million people, and 1% of them will ultimately contend with dementia annually.
Memory care services aim to provide specialized care for elderly residents facing cognitive decline.
But what is memory care, exactly? Read on for a comprehensive answer!
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care is a type of specialized care for elderly individuals who struggle with cognition. It mostly caters to those with:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer's
- Parkinson's
In memory care, residents get more than just services commonly associated with assisted living communities. In addition to having help with hygiene and personal care, memory care residents access:
- A structured daily schedule that minimizes confusion and risk
- Help with remembering important tasks and events
- Activities that boost cognitive function
- Art and music therapy for sensory stimulation
- Reminders about daily activities like eating and bathing
- Apartments and amenities designed to minimize confused wandering
- Emotional support for residents as they contend with the stress/impatience/irritability that comes with cognitive decline
One of the best things about memory care is that experts are specifically trained to help those with memory problems.
They have the education needed to understand the symptoms of cognitive illnesses and how to minimize their impacts. They're also educated on how to contend with possible issues caused by dementia and Parkinson's.
The Watermark at Westwood Village partners with the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. The partnership gave way to our Prema Memory Support℠ plans that:
- Validate residents instead of correcting them
- Offer constant empathy and understanding
- Help to kickstart rhythms and routines in daily senior living
The best Los Angeles communities also provide ongoing training for staff members working in memory care. Training ensures that compassionate caregivers are up to date on the technology and best practices used for keeping seniors in the community comfortable and safe.
Memory Care vs Assisted Living: The Similarities and Difference
You may still be wondering: what is memory care as opposed to assisted living?
Families can think of memory care as a type of assisted living specializing in dementia care and Alzheimer's support. Those living in memory care communities still access necessary help with:
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Personal hygiene
- Medication management
- Cleaning
- Housekeeping
- Getting into and out of bed
- Moving around the community
However, they also get more assistance to try and help them live as independently as possible despite cognitive decline. From stimulating conversations to books that keep track of their most cherished memories, memory care goes a step beyond basic help.
People in memory care also get access to the same accessible amenities as those in assisted living do, including:
- Grab bars and grip bars to prevent falling
- Wide doorways and hallways that accommodate mobility aids
- Restaurant-style dining areas
- Fitness and wellness centers
- Lounges and game rooms
- Accessible handrails for increased mobility
- Low countertops and tables for wheelchair access
- Open spaces that are easy to navigate
Structured routines in memory care spaces also work to decrease confusion and anxiety. Therapeutic programs and invigorating social activities are part of the schedule, just as nutritious meals in restaurant-style dining are.
The main difference is that memory care residents get a few extra perks that serve to jog their memories and boost cognition.
The Benefits of Memory Care Communities
Personalized care plans are one massive benefit of memory care. Much like assisted living residents, those in memory care communities get care tailored to their individual needs.
To make this happen, compassionate care professionals:
- Sit down with new residents and their families
- Discuss what tasks the senior can do independently
- Talk about the tasks they struggle with
- Outline the specific cognitive challenges that make these tasks hard
- Create a written care plan together that meets the new resident's unique needs
Over time, if your loved one's needs change, experts will adapt the plan to meet the new needs. They'll communicate any alterations with families to keep them informed about their loved one's progress.
Activities to Boost Cognition
Memory care communities aim to help seniors retain the cognition that they already have. It's important that more memories and thought processes don't slip away. Because of this, memory care communities offer several engaging therapies like:
- Talk therapy
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
This sensory input stimulates cognitive processing to keep seniors sharp.
Cognitive support for seniors also includes activities made to maintain critical thinking. Some include:
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Board games
- Written puzzles like Sudoku and crosswords
- Gardening
- Baking
- Doing crafts
A memory care community encourages this mental stimulation to help residents maintain as sharp and independent as possible.
Social Opportunities
Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the lack of ample social opportunities can increase seniors' risks of dementia.
Those in memory care often struggle with dementia. Socializing with other residents can help to keep it contained. While existing dementia won't go away, more socialization opportunities may keep it contained.
However, not all memory care residents are contending with dementia. If your loved one has a different type of cognitive illness, these social opportunities can stave off dementia, too.
Our exclusive programs and BrainCafe℠ activities make sharpening cognitive abilities easy. They can enhance memory habits through socialization with:
- Community movie nights
- Game and card nights for residents
- Wellness workshops
- Themed parties and dances
- Live music performances
These activities and events make it easier for residents to meet and connect with others. Since people attending each event will have similar interests already, breaking the ice and getting emotionally close is easy.
Get Cognitive Support for Seniors in Los Angeles
So, exactly what is memory care?
It's a type of senior care community that focuses on boosting the livelihood of residents with cognitive decline and memory-related disorders.
Now that you know the ins and outs of memory care services, it's time to talk with compassionate care professionals at The Watermark at Westwood Village. Our team is excited to learn more about your loved one's specific needs and how to meet them.
We offer tours of our community amenities for memory care residents, so contact us to schedule one and learn more.