Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition synonymous with old age. It is progressive and is characterized by memory loss and poor cognitive function. As the condition progresses, its symptoms and impact on the quality of the affected older adult tend to worsen.
Essentially, dementia makes the elderly a danger to themselves. That is why you should consider moving aging relatives with the condition to memory care communities. The memory care communities are equipped with the right amenities, trained caregivers as well as a safe and supportive environment to accommodate older residents with any form of dementia regardless of the degree of its progression.
Elderly folks with advanced dementia are put under 24-hour supervision in a setting that is highly structured and secure to curb self-harm and other adverse eventualities. Therefore, memory care communities have what it takes to sufficiently look after older adults with progressive dementia and that is what we look to highlight in this article. Read on to find out why memory care communities are a perfect choice for aging relatives with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Well Trained Team and Care Givers
Advanced dementia requires specialized caregivers who are equipped to handle older adults with the condition. Progressive dementia affects how a person behaves, talks, perceives things and even feels them. Thus, they can only be handled by a caregiver that understands that. The long-term memory care communities also have counselors and speech therapists to help improve the speech and cognitive function of the residents.
A Safe and Secure Living Environment
Dementia patients tend to wander a lot a habit that can put them in harm’s way. Long-term care neighborhoods feature top-notch security features in a secure living environment to prevent this. That includes an enclosed outdoor area, in-room monitoring, video surveillance, alarm systems, and secured perimeters. Apart from that the communities work to establish the cause of wandering and address it to ensure the residents live comfortably.
Functional Living Spaces
It is difficult for dementia patients to make it in ordinary living environments. Advanced dementia is characterized by unpredictable behavior where the affected older adults are more prone to self-harm. However, memory care neighborhoods are designed to provide small living spaces that are safe, cozy, and quiet for the residents.
Dementia patients tend to function better within such spaces. Other than that, the spaces encourage visual stimulation and minimize stress. Most importantly, the communities are created with distinct landmarks, visual cues, and an intuitive layout that is easy to navigate to curb anxiety.
Practical Nutritional Planning
Most elderly people with advanced dementia struggle with nutritional problems. Acute memory loss makes it difficult for them to sufficiently take care of their nutritional requirements by forgetting to cook and shop for groceries.
As a result, they end up missing meals and adopting erratic eating patterns. To curb this, memory care communities have efficient memory programs that promote mealtime engagement to contain such problems. The caregivers are always on the lookout to ensure the residents eat a balanced diet in good time.
Encouraged Family Involvement
Family involvement is vital in managing residents with dementia. Fortunately, memory care communities understand this. That is why they make use of family suggestions and input to come up with customized care plans that will address the requirements of your loved one in the best way possible.
The information provided by family members helps caregivers provide quality services to residents with memory problems. Even if they cannot recall family members in the late stages of dementia, they still have an emotional recollection of their time together. Memory care communities encourage regular visits from family members and even organize events that bring them together.
Memory Care Communities Are Worth Trying
Indeed, memory care communities are an effective alternative for advanced dementia. Apart from well-trained memory caregivers, the memory care communities feature a safe living environment along with functional living spaces as well as practical nutritional planning. They also encourage family involvement which is vital in providing a happy and comfortable life for residents with dementia.
