3 Surprising Offerings Of Memory Care Facilities

September 25th, 2017 by admin

There may eventually come a time when you'll have to make a decision about your loved one's long term care. And if your loved one is struggling with the effects of a dementia disease, that decision can be especially important. Considering that one in every three seniors passes away with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, there are all too many families who must make a difficult choice: whether to care for their loved one at home or to explore the available senior memory care programs available to them.

Safe Freedom Of Movement

For seniors, staying physically active can help keep their minds and bodies vital for much longer. But dementia diseases do come with added concerns in regards to movement. Many dementia patients have a tendency to wander, which can present a significant safety risk (and can cause increased anxiety for family members).

At home, it can be nearly impossible to track a loved one's movements, particularly at night. But memory care facilities will typically keep patients in a large yet contained area to ensure they can't wander off or hurt themselves.

Many facilities will even offer enclosed outdoor spaces that allow patients to experience nature and fresh air without exposing them to safety risks. Finally, many senior memory care programs will offer physical activities and therapy sessions that can help them move their bodies in a controlled environment.

Nighttime Care

Those who suffer from dementia diseases often experience sleep disruptions. A patient's circadian rhythms may easily become disrupted with these conditions, thus forcing a caregiver to be up at all hours to keep their loved one safe. Some facilities will address these issues by planning activities that are meant to correct sleep patterns.

And while most senior housing facilities are likely to have more staff members present during daylight hours, memory care facilities will typically have just as many employees working during the nighttime as they do during the day. These trained staff members are typically better equipped at handling any after-hours issues than the average familial caregiver. Plus, unlike family members, they won't be running on low sleep and patience!

Sensory Stimulation

Family caregiver burnout is a real phenomenon. When you constantly have to worry about your loved one's needs and their safety, there isn't a lot left over to make their time enjoyable.

At senior memory care centers, sensory stimulation is a huge part of everyday life, simply because they have the time and resources to dedicate to it. Music is often a vital part of these programs, as music-related activities are particularly evocative and can bring back memories patients didn't even know they still had.

Arts and crafts and dance therapy are also big hits for these reasons. Even the choice of food can help stimulate the brain and memories from patients' lives. While it'd be ideal if families could participate in many of these activities at home, that's not always realistic with all of the obligations that need to be met. But in senior memory care centers, family members have the chance to experience these activities with their loved one without having to take on that stress themselves.

Although a dementia diagnosis will never be easy to receive, there are things you can do to help your loved one stay active for as long as possible. If your loved one is struggling with a dementia disease, talk to their doctor about the next steps and whether a memory care facility might be a feasible option.

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