The Role of Memory Care in Senior Living Communities
Learn how memory care plays a unique role in helping individuals live thriving lives in senior living communities across the country.
Across the US, there are senior living communities that help older adults enjoy their later years with dignity and purpose. Many communities offer a wide range of services – from independent apartment living to full-time memory care and assisted living.
As you or your loved ones grow older, you may wonder if memory care is the right next step. It can be overwhelming to think about making the shift to an assisted living community, but with the right knowledge, you’ll find it’s a wonderful way to enhance one’s quality of life.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care takes the traditional assisted living services provided by many senior living communities and enhances them with specialized cognitive care.
As individuals age, they often find that their cognitive abilities begin to deteriorate, which can put themselves and others at risk. Some may find that they become increasingly forgetful about recent events or start to lose track of their daily tasks – including medication and whether or not they’ve eaten.
While some family members may opt to take on the role of caregiver for their older loved ones, the sheer responsibility that comes with around-the-clock care can quickly lead to burnout. Choosing in-home care can also be difficult, as home health providers often work with several clients and may not be available as often as needed.
For individuals who require a greater level of personalized cognitive care, memory care communities offer the perfect solution.
The Many Roles of Memory Care In Senior Living Communities
Memory care is much more than a simple check-in now and again. Professional memory care services employ caring, compassionate, and trained individuals who have a passion for helping older adults live out their days with dignity and joy. Plus, they bring to the table a variety of key expertise and services that family and friends may not have access to!
Specialized Staff In A Secure Environment
A key aspect of memory care is the ability to care for individuals in a secure environment. This means a living space within a larger community that is designed for accessibility and safety – particularly if individuals are prone to falling or have trouble getting around.
In modern senior living communities, you’ll find buildings with clearly marked doors and hallways directing individuals to key areas (such as dining, laundry, bathrooms, etc.) They will also have secure access doors and elevators, as well as secure tracking systems to help monitor resident’s locations throughout the day.
Within that secure environment are trained specialists who know how to help individuals with cognitive loss continue to have a high quality of life despite their challenges.
Their training allows them to notice signs of struggle or challenge, and they can step in to help when necessary – but also help individuals maintain their independence so they feel a sense of personal fulfillment and accomplishment.
Most of all, these trained individuals are passionate about resident care, and they get to know their residents on a personal level. This daily interaction helps to keep older adults engaged and active – reducing the rates of isolation-related depression and anxiety.
Daily Routines & Structure
Memory care services in senior living communities also help to build structure and routine in the lives of residents. Rather than leaving individuals to choose how and when they’ll engage with their community and plan their days, memory care takes an active role in creating routines.
This can include building a daily, predictable schedule for getting up, bathing, eating, and interacting with others in the community. This daily routine helps to build a sense of familiarity and confidence – even when they may have trouble remembering the finer details of each day.
Days often include therapeutic activities designed to help senior adults engage their bodies and minds, from music therapy to art classes and more. The goal is to keep the body and mind moving – as well as create plenty of opportunities for connection and community.
Studies continue to show that staying busy with purposeful activities can help boost longevity in both mind and body – and memory care plays a key role in building those opportunities for seniors every day.
Creating A Continuum of Care With Residents and Their Families
The hidden danger of aging is that families are often left to figure out how to help their loved ones transition through the later stages of life. This can lead to inconvenience and frustration for caregivers, as well as risks of burnout or isolation when families feel ill-equipped to manage their loved one’s care.
With memory care, families can rest knowing that professional caregivers have stepped into the gap to provide much-needed coverage for each stage of life.
As needs change, memory care services will adapt to meet the needs of a resident and will keep families involved each step of the way. This helps to avoid the trauma of repeated transitions – keeping individuals in their familiar community even as they require more help.
Plus, having a partner in the process takes a load off of loved ones – and they can continue to engage without the fear or guilt of being the primary caretaker.
Memory Care Is Your Support Partner In Every Stage
Here at Bristol Park, our team of memory care specialists helps senior adults live thriving lives, and we invite you to see the results for yourself.
As a partner in the transition process, it’s our goal to make sure every resident feels seen, heard, and known, no matter their cognitive abilities. From comfortable living spaces to daily activities and diverse nutrition options, we take every effort to provide premium care.
Want to learn more? Schedule a tour today and see why Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain is Fort Worth’s trusted assisted living and memory care facility.