When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care
Have you noticed that your loved one has started to exhibit signs of worsening memory loss when you visit them in their assisted living facility?
Addressing these cognitive declines is never easy and can be particularly complicated to discuss with your loved one, as well as other family members.
Despite these challenges, you know your loved one better than anyone else–and if your instinct is signaling that something is amiss, it probably is.
In this blog, we’ll explore the signs it’s time for memory care, as well as strategies for making the transition from assisted living to a memory care community easier on all parties involved.
Read on to learn more.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living refers to a model of communal living that provides various levels of care to individuals. Staff is available 24/7 to assist with care, and physicians make house calls to residents as needed.
These communities feature activities, outings, and other happenings that encourage community building and resident interaction.
The needs and realities of assisted living are unique to the indiciald, with some needing more support than others.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care is a care community specifically designed for individuals suffering from memory loss. These unique facilities are custom-designed to support individuals as their conditions evolve. These communities are designed with memory care needs in mind, including color-coded walls, enhanced safety precautions, and defining features that make identification and location easy for residents.
These communities can be part of a larger assisted living community, or be free-standing entities focused solely on providing memory care to their residents. Regardless of affiliation, these communities provide 24/7 care for their residents, with a focus on the individual and person-centered care.
Most memory care communities offer services including:
- Medicine management
- Transportation
- Housekeeping
- Activities and events
- Toileting and feeding
Given the progressive nature of dementia, these facilities are equipped to meet your loved ones needs as their condition evolves.
Signs It’s TIme to Move to Memory Care
While assisted living facilities offer many of the same services as memory care, there are definitive signs it’s time to move to memory care.
If you’ve noticed one or many of these items, it’s time to talk to your loved one’s care providers about what they’ve noticed behaviorally. Although the decision to move your loved one to memory care may feel devastating, rest assured that the care they receive within these communities is what they need, when they need it.
- Persistent struggles with activities of daily living (ADL)
- Lack of maintenance of living conditions
- Struggles with critical thinking and decision making
- Indications of depression and/or sudden mood swings
- Feelings of loneliness and isolation
- Frequent forgetting of people, places, and things
While this list of potential indicators is by no means exhaustive, it does provide a conversation start that can guide you through your next conversation with care providers or family members.
Be sure to document any of the above behaviors to help ease these conversations and to provide context to your concerns.
How to Make a Smooth Transition to Memory Care
As much as we’d prefer change to be easy, it never is.
For your loved one, the move to memory care can induce considerable stress and concern. To offset and uncescarry angst, consider packing for your loved one while they enjoy a meal or some time outside.
In this vein, also be sure to have an agreed-answer that is socialized among your family about where your loved one is headed. You want to take every opportunity to avoid confusion.
Lastly, encourage your loved one to engage with the activities at the memory care community. There will be ample activities on the calendar, but jumpstarting your loved one’s engagement on day one can go a long way in ensuring they feel immediately supported in their new home.
When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care Conclusion
While making the decision to move your loved one from assisted living to memory care is never an easy decision, being able to identify the signs it’s time to move to memory care can eliminate any ambiguity or apprehension.
To learn more about the memory care support and services offered by The Moments, contact us today.
