Seniors needing memory care in The Valley may be diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive impairments and struggle with memory loss. Memory care is a form of care that supports seniors through physical activities and cognitive stimulation.
Signs A Senior Needs Memory Care
Seniors exhibiting any of the following signs of memory loss may need memory care:
- Changes in behavior: Seniors with dementia may start acting in strange ways. A few behaviors they may develop:
- Fear of driving
- Anti-social attitudes
- Withdrawing
- Forgetting to take care of daily hygiene (bathing, grooming, brushing teeth, etc.)
- Anxiety or agitation
- Confusion and disorientation that creates physical dangers: Seniors with dementia may become confused and disoriented, and increase their risk of car accidents. For example, they may forget the rules of driving and run a red light. Others may take a walk and forget how to return home. These risks to physical safety can be eliminated through quality memory care in The Valley.
- Declining physical health: Seniors who become frail or thin may be forgetting to shop for groceries or to take medication as directed. Some seniors may take more medication than necessary if they can’t remember taking their medication earlier that day.
- Incontinence: Most caregivers are unable to handle a serious incontinence problem. They may begin to feel overwhelmed and question their ability to continue caring for their loved one. This can affect both family caregivers and medical professionals who provide in-home assistance.
Memory Care Services And Activities
Facilities that provide memory care typically offer activities that promote cognitive stimulation and support physical health. These activities may include:
- Games or puzzles to maintain fine motor skills
- Outdoor walks in groups to promote social interaction
- Exercises to maintain muscle strength and balance
- Crafts such as knitting, collages, coloring, and ceramics to stimulate the senses
- Mental health therapy to address depression or anxiety
- Music therapy to boost mood and emotional well-being
- Art therapy to promote self-expression
What Is The Average Length Of Stay In Memory Care?
On average, residents at senior living facilities receive memory care for two to three years. However, because memory loss progresses in each patient at a different pace, the length of stay in memory care can range from a few months to a decade. To determine whether a senior needs memory care, their physician will evaluate the severity of symptoms and their overall health. The caregiver’s ability to care for their loved one will also be taken into consideration.
Questions to Ask When Touring a Memory Care Facility
As you visit facilities offering memory care in The Valley, ask the following questions:
- How many residents is each staff member responsible for during the day and at night?
- Does the facility provide 24/7 medical care?
- Do residents receive on-site medical services? Emergency care?
- Does the facility offer multiple levels of memory care? How are they priced and what is included in each package?
- Are residents grouped by cognitive level?
- How are confused or combative seniors treated?
- Do staff members provide updates on the resident’s physical and cognitive health to family members and their physician?
There are many facilities offering memory care in The Valley. Visit Total Senior to find pre-vetted memory care facilities in the area.
