I've been a caretaker of an elderly woman with dementia for over two years. I've seen the effects of this mental affliction, and how devastating it can be to loved ones. This is why I am a firm believer in seeking a professional diagnosis, so the patient may receive necessary care and treatment. Once diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, a plan can be devised. Through social interaction and daily care, my charge has achieved a higher quality of life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you can make a difference. Love will find a way.
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Dementia and Your Loved One
Key Things To Assess When Touring A Memory Care Facility
Vickie Armstrong
When a loved one's dementia or Alzheimer's progresses to the point that you're no longer able to care for them at home, moving them into a memory care facility tends to be the best option. There are plenty of excellent memory care centers in most cities, so as part of the process, you will want to tour a few of them and see what each one has to offer. Here are the key things to assess as you look at memory care facilites.
1. Are the rooms private or semi-private?
At some memory care facilities, each resident has their own room. At other facilities, residents share rooms; there may be a curtain down the center of the room for privacy. Which option is best really depends on your loved one's needs and preferences. If you know they are someone who really likes their alone time, then a facility with private rooms may be best. If they're a social butterfly, a place with shared rooms may be better — and it also tends to be the more affordable option.
2. What healthcare is available on-site?
Memory care facilities are typically staffed by nurses. However, each facility offers a different level of care on-site. Some facilities have their own doctors, physical therapists, and sometimes even dentists on-site so that patients do not have to leave the property to receive care. Other facilities provide transportation to nearby doctors' offices as needed, and some facilities rely on family members to take the residents to their appointments. Make sure the healthcare options at a particular facility work for you before enrolling your loved one.
3. How is the community secured?
Memory care facilities must be secure in order to ensure the patients do not wander or leave unattended. Look into how the particular facility ensures its security. Is there a locked gate? Are there cameras at every entryway? Make sure the security measures are ones that you and your loved one feel comfortable with.
4. What is the staff to resident ratio?
The higher the staff to resident ratio, the more attention each patient tends to receive. If your loved one's cognitive decline is not so profound right now, a place with a lower staff to resident ratio may work well, but as their dementia progresses, you may find they need more continual care.
Ask the questions above as you tour various memory care facilities. Before long, you should arrive at a facility that seems perfect for your loved one.
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