What is a Memory Care Community?
Memory care communities or facilities are residential spaces where individuals experiencing cognitive decline can receive progressive levels of care. Some individuals move into memory care communities soon after receiving a diagnosis while others wait until family members are no longer able to care for them at home.
Pros & Cons of Memory Care Communities
Families report many advantages to seeking the support of a memory care community. While cost can be a prohibitive factor, many individuals experiencing cognitive decline and their loved ones feel a tremendous sense of relief after moving into a care community.
How Does Memory Care Differ?
There are a variety of senior care and assisted living setups that serve a variety of purposes. Memory care communities tend to specifically serve individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other forms of cognitive decline. Assisted living, independent living, and other senior living options tend to offer support to a general population of older adults. Many of these types of communities offer increasing levels of care as individuals experience declining abilities due to age or medical conditions. Memory care communities specifically tailor their care to those experiencing cognitive decline.
Preparing to Visit Your Loved One in a Care Community
Make sure you are aware of all facility requirements such as visiting hours and expectations, any preventative health guidelines for visitors, and any special event events or scheduled activities going on at a given time. It’s helpful for loved ones to set realistic expectations prior to their visit.
If loved ones are visiting infrequently, it can be helpful to talk to the staff beforehand to become aware of the condition their loved one is in prior to the visit. Loved ones visiting from out of town can often experience shock when they see how much their loved one has declined. Being as prepared as possible can help manage expectations of how the visit will go. Bringing items or photos that are familiar to your loved one can bring a sense of security and comfort to them, even if they do not recognize you.
Follow these expert tips for making your interactions during the visit feel as meaningful as possible:
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Engage with simple topics/questions
- Practice patience and compassion
- Listen to their favorite music
- Engage in simple hobbies, like drawing or puzzles
- Reminisce over old photos for memory recall
Respite Care in San Diego
At RanchView, we offer respite care accommodations. The respite care program enables family caregivers to take time to rest, recover from stress, and restore much-needed balance in their lives. With this service, we open our doors to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia for a limited stay in our memory care community. This gives family caregivers the opportunity to have temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, without the need for families to make an immediate decision about long-term care.
Creating a Supportive Environment for Alzheimer’s Impacted Individuals
When people think of Alzheimer’s disease, the first symptom that usually comes to mind is memory loss. However, Alzheimer’s affects much more than just memory. It is a progressive disease that impacts various aspects of cognitive and physical functioning, making daily tasks increasingly difficult.
For families and caregivers, understanding these diverse symptoms can provide greater insight into the challenges their loved ones face. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, educating ourselves about the full range of symptoms can help create a more supportive environment for those living with the disease.
Senior Care, Hospice Care, and Palliative Care Accommodations in San Diego
RanchView Senior Assisted Living is a family-owned and operated independent assisted living community in Encinitas, California. We offer progressively increasing levels of care according to our residents’ needs. Experience memory care in a relaxed, home-like environment.
