The Most Important Factors to Consider When Selecting a Memory Care Facility for a Loved One

It may be tough to navigate the emotions of a dementia diagnosis but a high-grade dementia treatment center can serve as an educational tool for the family as they begin to comprehend the diagnosis while providing comfort, support and protection for your loved one. The most important factors as you begin your search for memory care facilities should be consideration of the location and the environment created, the safety features, the dedication of the staff, the lifestyle of the community, and the quality of the commitment shown.

Home Comforts

Begin with the surroundings and design when looking into facilities. It is important that your loved one feels welcomed by the community they are joining. Design features that should be avoided are clinical features and harsh lighting. No one wants to move into a hospital. Many facilities provide comforting elements like a piano and framed paintings to allow the patients to reminisce and feel at home. Even the nurses’ station should not be stark and clinical but rather an additional area where the community know they can seek help or guidance.

Safety

As much as creature comforts are vital, safety elements provided by the memory care facility are essential to have on your checklist. Code-protected entrances can prevent someone from leaving the area unaccompanied. Inquire about further safety measures in place for patients to call for help as and when needed.

Lifestyle and Activities

A large part of memory care programming includes purposeful and engaging activities for its residents. The minds and hearts of the residents need to be nourished by delivering a variety of choices that bring joy and connection to their interactions. Patients must have tailor-made programs set for them that suit their interests and capabilities. These programs should empower them, keep them occupied, and provide therapeutic benefits.

When researching different facilities, inquire about the programming calendar to see if there are any activities that your loved one could enjoy, as well as outing options for residents to see the surrounding areas. For example, Brandywine Living at Reflections memory care, Brick, NJ, an assisted living complex, is just a short distance from the seaside village of Point Pleasant. This means that residents can be allowed outings to the beautiful beaches, promenade, and aquarium. These features can be a great draw-card when choosing a facility that suits your loved one and their needs.

Staff

The staff are at the heart of the care provided. Inquire about the type of training that employees receive in addition to the mandated education. Ensure that staff receive regular dementia care training to be informed about new interventions for the residents. Look for philosophies that underline the importance of prioritizing the resident’s choices and requirements in their planned care. Inquire about the involvement of your family in the community. If relatives do not live close by, a good dementia care program will provide adequate time and incentive for them to participate, as well as inventive means of communicating about the loved one.

On your hunt for the right place for your loved one, it is vital to remember that they can still have many happy moments and create more memories. Even when their cognitive impairment increases, the degree of care provided by today’s memory care facilities can help people retain their quality of life. It can be tough to determine whether memory care is the best fit for your loved one but this is all about making life better for the person you love.