4 Benefits Of Memory Care For Senior Adults

4 Benefits Of Memory Care For Senior Adults

4 Benefits Of Memory Care For Senior Adults

Many families face the challenge of caring for an aging loved one, especially as their health declines. Apart from losing strength and agility, the elderly can also struggle with cognitive impairment and may gradually lose the ability to care for themselves. In some cases, an aging adult can develop dementia, defined as the decline of cognitive functions that include thinking, reasoning, and memory. With this condition, patients may be unable to regulate their thoughts and feelings and experience drastic changes in their personalities.


For this reason, some seniors may require round-the-clock supervision, therapy, and assistance for their daily living needs. Being under constant care ensures that the patient will be given the proper nutrition and receive help with caring for personal hygiene. They also need protection from safety hazards that can ocld be ideal.

Memory care services come into play, providing senior adults a fully structured day. They receive assistance with medication management and activities of daily living (ADL) from experienced staff. Memory care professionals deliver personalized care approaches, optimizing each resident’s skills and boosting participation in group activities.


If you're wondering if getting assisted living with memory care services is suitable for your elderly loved one, here are some factors you can consider:

1. Access To Medical Assistance

Medical observation and treatment are integral parts of elderly care, so it's ideal to select an assisted living facility such as Vivante that allows easy access to both. Moreover, some memory care treatments require medication and regular checkups to ensure that the patient is in optimal health, both physically and mentally. Hence, it'll be more convenient for the patients and their families to access medical assistance right where they reside.


2. Obtain Counseling Services

It's common for the elderly to feel frustrated and upset about the symptoms of cognitive decline or dementia that they experience. For instance, some patients may report having lowered self-esteem, anxiety, or fear due to changes in their personality and behavior. Hence, they may opt to isolate themselves or disengage in activities that they usually enjoy.

To help patients cope with the feelings of memory loss, their memory care plan can include counseling sessions wherein they can talk to a specialist about their experiences or difficulties. This way, they'll receive guidance from specialists and find ways to handle challenging situations.


3. Availability Of Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy involves several approaches to provide elderly patients with mental exercises to help them stay alert, focused, and mentally strong. Here are some examples:

  • Reminiscing
    Reminiscing involves making personal documentation of important people, events, and details in a patient's life. Creating this unique record aims to help the patient strengthen their ability to retain information from past and present experiences.
  • Cognitive Stimulation
    Cognitive stimulation therapy helps patients strengthen their ability to think, concentrate, communicate, and retain information through various exercises and activities. This therapy comes in the form of activities or practices such as one-on-one and group discussions, allowing patients to interact and share thoughts with one another.
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation
    This therapy involves teaching a new skill to a patient depending on their interest, which commonly includes cooking or baking, creating artwork, or playing an instrument. This activity will help strengthen memory retention, comprehension skills, critical thinking, and other cognitive processes.
    The doctor will recommend the best form of therapy that would suit the type of cognitive impairment a patient has. You can also explore other forms of treatment that you want to include in your loved one's memory care plan.

4. Assurance Of Safety And Protection

Caring for the patient's safety and protection is critical, especially when they suffer from memory loss and cognitive decline. For one, it's essential to monitor their movement to ensure that they remain on safe grounds and that the patient won't be able to leave the facility unaccompanied. Also, the patient's safety may be compromised if they're not under supervision when doing activities such as eating, walking, or bathing since their ability to focus on a task and avoid hazards has begun to decline.

While in a senior living facility with memory care services, the patient will be assigned a nurse to ensure they're accompanied and assisted when required. Under constant supervision, you can be assured of your senior loved one's safety and security.


How To Choose Memory Care Services Benefit Seniors

When choosing memory care services for a senior with cognitive impairments, it's vital to begin with a thorough assessment of the individual's specific needs. Take into account the senior's stage of cognitive impairment, any accompanying medical conditions, and personal preferences for making an informed decision.

Gathering recommendations from healthcare professionals, support groups, friends, or family who have experience with memory care services is essential. Moreover, real-life testimonials and referrals can provide invaluable insights and point you in the direction of reputable facilities.

Look out for safety and security features, staff qualifications, and overall cleanliness. Engage with staff and observe their interactions with residents. Assess the range of services offered, including medication management, meal plans, and daily activities. Talking to current residents and their families during visits can provide further insights into the quality of care provided. Evaluate the costs and available payment options while also considering the convenience of the facility's location for family visits. Ensure that the facility can adapt to the changing needs of seniors as their cognitive condition progresses. Checking for licensing and accreditation is another critical aspect of this step, as it confirms that the facility meets certain care standards. Legal and financial advisors can offer guidance when necessary.



Conclusion

When your senior loved one joins an assisted living facility with memory care, you can rest assured that they'll receive the support they need to avoid cognitive decline and its risks. They'll have access to guidance and therapy that will allow them to exercise their cognitive abilities and boost their retention. Also, memory care services can be individualized to suit a resident's needs when retaining their cognitive functions. By getting this specialized service, you'll be able to give the best care you can provide to your senior loved one.