For many loved ones suffering from memory loss, they are most likely diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These conditions can seriously impede not only your loved ones’ daily lives but also that of their family members and close friends. Memory loss can lead to a wide range of issues, such as forgetting the names and faces of their loved ones, being unsure of how to head home, and facing difficulty in performing mundane tasks like bathing and eating. Considering that memory loss can be progressive and worsen as time goes on, it’s important to make sure your loved ones take care of their cognitive health by being in a secure yet welcoming environment. This is where memory care in a retirement community comes in. In this article, we look into the various ways memory care helps memory loss.
Allow Loved Ones to Be in a Safer and More Conducive Environment
At times, loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia can react aggressively, which can put themselves and others around them at harm. If your loved ones are not taken care of by professional caregivers and licensed medical personnel, there’s a high chance of them getting injured by their actions. As such, memory care prioritizes your loved ones’ safety by providing them with 24/7 care and monitoring. What’s more, retirement communities tend to be specially designed to prevent loved ones from getting confused easily, through clearly identified spaces, simple walkways, and customized apartments. Most retirement communities will have a designated wing just for memory care residents in order to better promote a sense of security, safety, and familiarity among residents.
Loved Ones Receive Personalized Care
When it comes to treating memory loss and other cognitive health issues, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Most retirement communities these days recognize and are aware that everyone is different from each other, which means that loved ones require personalized care specifically tailored to their needs and expectations in order to work towards a better quality of life. You’ll find that team members in memory care communities go the extra mile to form close relationships with residents. This can be achieved through attending activities together and interacting with their family members on a daily basis. This is done so in order for the team members to get a holistic understanding of each resident and to help them achieve better well-being.
Loved Ones Are Offered a Range of Therapies
One of the biggest benefits of residing in a retirement community is the opportunity to attend specialized therapies catered for Alzheimer’s and dementia. These therapy sessions may not be widely available in public hospitals, so you can rest assured your loved ones will enjoy such conveniences. Some therapies provided in memory care include pet therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, and even aromatherapy, which is said to evoke memory in loved ones through scents. Reminiscence therapy is also used to encourage loved ones suffering from memory loss to remember certain people, places, smells, and tastes.
