Age-related memory loss is a natural and common occurrence that does not interfere with older adults’ ability to work, socialize and lead a productive life. Some forms of memory loss are more severe and worsen over time. When the decline in mental abilities affects daily living, a medical diagnosis may reveal the onset of dementia.

What is dementia?

Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with cognitive decline, including memory loss, difficulty organizing thoughts and thinking logically, and problems with language, such as struggling to find words and comprehend sentences.

Can people with dementia live independently?

There is too much risk for a senior diagnosed with dementia to be living alone. Dementia patients tend to experience changes in mood or behavior, which can create a challenging home environment.

What are the options in long-term senior care for dementia patients?

There are over five million people in America living with age-related Alzheimer’s. Seniors with mental impairments are not well-served by independent living facilities geared towards healthy older adults with active lifestyles.

Some assisted living communities have an on-site memory care unit catering to residents living with dementia. There are also exclusive memory care apartments and memory support neighborhoods designed to help elders with cognitive impairment lead comfortable, dignified lives.

What services do memory care facilities offer?

Memory care communities are designed to enhance the quality of life of seniors who’re unable to live independently. Like any senior living community, convenience and safety are also assured in the form of services including and not limited to three meals a day served in a dining room, daily linen change, laundry and housekeeping, and 24/7 access to staff.

Special amenities include meal assistance, controlled access, on-site nurse for 40 hours a week, and nurse liaison with laboratories and healthcare professionals. Many memory care neighborhoods customize care to the individual resident’s unique requirements.

For instance, if your parent’s memory loss isn’t severe, a memory support package that assists him/her with activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, and occasional memory monitoring may suffice. When more memory support is required, you can choose a package offering incontinence management, direct assistance from a staff member for ADLs, and more frequent behavior monitoring.

Level up to more holistic and comprehensive memory support

Some memory support communities provide additional benefits and value offerings at a higher cost.

A nutrition program that supports brain health, incorporates fresh seasonal produce, and prepares meals modified to suit residents’ religious or ethnic preferences. Art, photography, spiritual wellness and adult-learning programs. A broad range of physical exercises to protect fine and gross motor skills. Access to dementia research professionals. These assurances by top-tier memory care neighborhoods combined with a highly personal style of care can undeniably enrich your parent’s life.