The time may come when a loved one needs memory care. The challenges that come with Alzheimer’s disease or any type of dementia can be extensive. For this reason, a family cannot choose a centre based solely on location, price or any single factor. Numerous things must be taken into consideration. The following are some things every family must remember when searching for a facility of this kind.

Cost 

Be prepared to pay more for a professional memory care facility. The reason for this is the care at this type of facility is more comprehensive. While a typical assisted living centre helps seniors with tasks such as dressing, bathing and preparing meals, the memory care centre takes this much further. They understand the challenges that exist for those with any type of dementia and ensure each resident receives the care needed, regardless of the stage of their disease. Look for leaders in memory care, ones that are using new tools and techniques to provide the highest level of care, as opposed to those that are low cost.

Behavioural Issues

This type of facility can be of great help to those who have behaviour problems. Wandering is something that is commonly seen with patients who have Alzheimer’s and the staff has programs in place to handle this problem. The same is true of those who memory impairment or other behaviour challenges that need to be addressed.

Quality of Life

Seniors who are placed in a facility that is designed with dementia patients in mind tend to need less medication. As a result, they don’t experience many of the side effects commonly seen with these medications. Falls become less of a concern, and fewer residents need to be treated at a hospital. In addition, the residents often witness better health and wellness, and they are more independent and interact more with fellow residents. Some residents even notice an improvement in their mental functioning.

Security

One reason many families choose to place their loved one in a facility is they are concerned about this individual’s safety. A memory care facility has measures in place to make certain the residents stay safe and cannot wander off or do harm to themselves in another way. For example, hallways may be colour-coloured to help residents find their way to different parts of the building. When a person feels safe, they are more likely to remain independent, which is of great benefit as well.

Family Support

Families often find it difficult to deal with the changes they are seeing in their loved one. It’s hard to walk into a room only to find your parent no longer recognises you and this may leave a family feeling as if they no longer want or need to visit. The staff at a memory care facility can be of help with this. They are available to offer hints, tips, and tricks for interacting with the patient and may even offer programs designed specifically for loved ones to connect with others dealing with similar issues.

When researching memory care options, don’t simply look into each placement online. Spend plenty of time at each community. The loved one needs to feel safe and comfortable at this facility and family members must feel welcome at all times. If any centre leaves a family feeling as if visits are a burden or the patient requires too much care, it’s best to look elsewhere. Furthermore, communities do vary in terms of their features and treatments. The family needs to locate one that caters to the specific needs of the senior and nobody else.