Family caregivers face a variety of challenges when caring for someone with dementia. While managing a loved one’s behavioral changes and memory loss, the demands can be heavy—presenting emotional and physical hurdles. Common challenges when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can include:
- Balancing the number of caregiving tasks
- Long and demanding hours of caregiving
- Caregivers dealing with unmet needs
- Financial strain
- Social isolation
- Decreased leisure time
- Physical strain
Moving a loved one into a memory care facility can reduce caregiver burnout and positively impact relationships. With the senior receiving professional care, the adult child is able to focus on spending quality time together versus worrying about hands-on caregiving.
Learn more about how to support your loved one with memory care.
The Benefits of Memory Care
What is memory care? It’s specialized support for those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other forms of memory loss. There are countless benefits to moving a loved one into a senior living community with memory care:
- Quality care provided by trained team members
- Enhanced quality of life with social engagement and meaningful activities
- An environment that promotes safety and security
- Reduction of caregiver burnout
- Peace of mind for the adult child knowing their loved one is well cared for
A structured environment in a memory care facility can offer predicable routines that help promote peaceful days for seniors. In addition, residents enjoy activities, programs, and events tailored to their interests and abilities—things they may not have access to if they’re living at home.
Memory care communities will often host special events for family members and friends to participate in—further strengthening their connection with their senior loved one.
Tailored Memory Care Plans
No memory care resident is the same in terms of preferences, hobbies, strengths, and interests. Personalized memory care for seniors involves assessing a loved one’s cognitive function, health status, and personal preferences with regular reviews and adjustments along the way.
Sunrise takes a collaborative approach in memory care, ensuring familial involvement so each plan reflects the resident’s history and personality. Our team members have specialized training in dementia care techniques and communication, continuing their professional development year after year.
Individually tailored plans improve the quality of life for loved ones in memory care communities with personalized attention from knowledgeable team members as well as the professional approach to each resident’s unique needs.
Meaningful Activities in Memory Care
Residents in memory care have access to a variety of programs and activities that they may not otherwise enjoy at home.
Examples of meaningful activities from a qualified memory care facility like Sunrise Senior Living can include:
- Group activities that promote social interaction and camaraderie
- Memory games and cognitive exercises that stimulate the mind
- Music-centered activities
- Painting and art
- Reflection, meditation, and spirituality
These intentionally designed activities and events foster connection that makes memory care for seniors meaningful.
What to Consider When Choosing the Right Memory Care Facility
When approaching this topic, many caregivers might wonder what to expect from a memory care facility.
This is common question since the experience of memory care is a first for so many adult children. When researching online and visiting communities, it’s important to look out for the following:
- Confirmation of safety features like secured entries and exits
- Overall cleanliness and maintenance of memory care facility
- The staff-to-resident ratio
- Staff training, certifications, and qualifications
- Programming and activities specific to those living with memory loss
Key Questions to Ask a Memory Care Community
When caring for a loved one with dementia and seeking the right memory care facility, it’s invaluable to make more than one in-person visit and ask pertinent questions. While observing the team members and taking in the memory care atmosphere and environment, some critical questions can include:
- What types of activities and events are offered, and how are they adapted for various levels of memory loss?
- How are care plans tailored, customized, and adjusted for each resident?
- What is the initial assessment process in your memory care facility?
- How many team members are available to provide care?
Caring for someone with dementia is a nuanced and step-by-step process—one where memory care can play an invaluable role when the time comes. Quality memory care communities can enhance and strengthen relationships between residents and caregivers by taking some of the daily stress away. A memory care facility also ensures your loved one is getting the proper care in a safe environment.
Explore your memory care options by finding a Sunrise community near you today.