The journey of caring for a loved one with dementia begins at diagnosis. Whether you are the primary caregiver, or share the responsibility with others, caring for them will have its ups and downs. At some point, you may need an alternative to taking this on yourself.
Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions out there about memory care.
Maybe you’re worried that most memory care facilities are filled with sedated residents and uncaring staff or that residents surrender their decision-making rights and independence.
In reality, memory care and dementia communities are wonderful environments where seniors can lead meaningful and enjoyable lives and you can experience peace of mind.
Here’s a look at five common fears families have about memory care and what a positive approach to memory care really looks like.
The Staff Won’t Know How to Handle My Loved One’s Dementia Behavior Problems
Does your loved one’s mood change near sunset? Do they become fearful, agitated, or sad? Do they lash out? These are common changes many caregivers see in their loved one’s behavior in the early evening — a phenomenon known as sundown syndrome, sundowners, or sundowning.
The staff at quality memory care communities are specially trained professionals who receive initial and ongoing training so they understand how the disease manifests, why dementia patients may exhibit disruptive behavior, how to respond to it, and how to communicate with individuals with dementia. Additionally, memory care units usually require a higher staff-to-patient ratio to adequately provide the care needed for one with dementia.
Whether it’s nighttime wandering, confusion, repetitive questions, incontinence or just wanting “to go home,” the staff at memory care and dementia communities understand and have the expertise to handle these concerns.
My Loved One Will Be Isolated from the Rest of the Assisted Living Community
If dementia has led your loved one to become isolated, moving to an assisted living community will actually combat this. Although memory care can often be located in a separate unit of a larger assisted living facility, social engagement and involvement in meaningful activities are some of the critical elements of good dementia care. Memory care staff encourage residents to stay as physically, mentally, and socially active as possible by providing exercise classes, music therapy, and a variety of activities and outings for fun.
In addition to leisure programs, therapeutic activities that address memory impairment, wandering, and other common dementia behaviors help residents maintain their functional abilities and can enhance quality of life. These stimulating activities help stir memories, foster emotional connections with others, encourage self-expression, lessen the anxiety and irritability that dementia may bring, and make people with Alzheimer’s feel more engaged with life.
My Loved One Will Decline More Rapidly Because They’ll Surrender Their Independence.
Research shows that more intellectually active people are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s in the first place, so you’re right in thinking that maintaining that activity as long as possible may help delay the disease’s progression. That’s why memory care communities actually encourage independence. The staff understands that when residents lose the opportunity to make choices, they disengage, and their emotional and physical health suffers.
To help those living with dementia to make the most of what they have left, memory care facilities create an environment of positive encouragement and use a variety of techniques, such as being at eye level when offering choices, to help residents feel confident as they make decisions. Even when residents have trouble doing things for themselves, there are still ways to encourage independence. For example, if a resident has trouble eating, a staff member can help guide the fork to their mouth rather than feeding them.
My Parents Won’t Be Able to Stay Together
At many facilities, spouses can either live together in the same suite or be just a short walk away from each other, regardless of care needs. For instance, if your mom has dementia or Alzheimer’s and your dad doesn’t, your mom can live in the memory care community and your dad can live in the assisted living community. Because both communities are on the same campus, they can be together as often as they wish. Best of all, with staff providing care, your parents can enjoy time together as a couple.
My Family Can’t Afford Memory Care
Memory care costs vary from community to community, but the average cost of memory care does tend to be more expensive than assisted living because the facilities provide comprehensive 24-hour supervised care for patients at all stages of the disease. However, there are many options to cover the cost of memory care, including long-term care insurance, life insurance funding, and veterans benefits.
Plus, some communities offer companion suites. Not only would this help reduce costs, but it also eases the transition when you bring two compatible seniors together to share an apartment and it reduces loneliness.
Processing an Alzheimer’s or other dementia diagnosis is a lot to take in. The more you know about memory care, what to expect, and how to prepare, the more it can make the journey feel less daunting. And you don’t have to go through this alone.
Looking for a memory care community for your loved one? Visit our website to learn more about Highgate's memory care program.
