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Why Memory Care Makes Sense Now More Than Ever

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, family members of senior adults – particularly those with cognitive impairments – are understandably worried about the safety of their loved ones. How will they stay safe? Can family members provide better, safer and more socially distanced care at home?

“The short answer is that it’s possible, but not probable, that family members can take better care of their loved one in a pandemic than a memory care community,” says Trish McKay, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull, a memory care assisted living community in Trumbull, CT. “Obviously, the thought of putting a large group of seniors may be concerning, since that is the demographic most likely to suffer serious health issues if they contract COVID-19. But there are many reasons why a memory care community can be the safest place possible for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.”

The most important factor, says Trish, is the health and safety of your loved one. “Please know that at a memory care community like Bridges by EPOCH at Trumbull, that’s our number one priority as well,” she says. “It is our honor and privilege to care for your loved one like a family member, and that extends exercising the utmost caution and safety measures as we have throughout this pandemic.”

 

Why Memory Care Right Now?

Memory care communities are following the highest level of safety protocol.
While memory care communities are homes, they are also care facilities. Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull follows all CDC guidelines on best practices for ensuring a sanitized, safe environment. We also follow social distancing practices, making sure that groups remain small, that visitors stay an acceptable distance apart from residents and wear proper PPE, and that staff members follow all prescreening and safety protocols. Bridges® also has plans in place on what to do to keep residents safe if an incidence of COVID-19 occurs.

“We don’t want COVID-19 in our community any more than you do,” says Trish. “We’re all playing our part in making sure everyone in our care, including our team members, remain safe and healthy.”
Professional care is available around the clock.
Besides following incredibly stringent health protocols, memory care communities have professional care staff available 24/7 to meet the needs of their residents. For family members, this can provide huge peace of mind, knowing that help is just moments away if their loved one needs it or if an emergency arises. One of the biggest challenges for family caregivers is when a loved one requires around-the-clock care because, let’s face it, we all need our sleep.

“At Bridges, our team members are here for our residents at all hours of the day and night,” says Trish. “Family caregivers no longer have to worry about how they will get through the day after getting no sleep at night.”
A dedicated team can keep tabs on your loved one’s health.
Dementia care team members are trained to spot and document any changes or issues they see in those they care for. This can help keep a health issue from turning into a huge issue. It also ensures that your loved one can get medical help as early as possible, which can help improve health outcomes no matter what issue they are experiencing.
You don’t have to run errands.
Depending on the stage of dementia your loved one is in, they may still be able to run some errands, but more than likely, you or a family member are taking care of things like grocery shopping, cooking, picking up prescriptions and the like. At a memory care community, all that’s taken care of. Your loved one is cared for, and you no longer have to put yourself at risk by going out any more than you have to. That also shrinks the number of people your loved one comes in contact with, reducing their risk of contracting COVID-19 even further.
Your loved one can stay socially engaged.
Social isolation and loneliness go hand-in-hand with social distancing, and that’s especially true for seniors. Boredom is also an issue, and for those with dementia, all these factors can result in unwanted behaviors like aggression, anxiety, wandering and others. Memory care communities are specifically designed to help reduce these behaviors by providing activities, social interaction, events and opportunities for individuals with dementia to be engaged, entertained and fulfilled. Not only that, but with care team members and other residents around, your loved one will be in regular contact with other people who care for them and provide a friendly face and companionship.
“We know that the decision to place a loved one in a memory care community is a big, emotionally charged situation,” says Trish. “This is especially true when we’re in the middle of a stressful situation like a pandemic. Please know that we’re not saying that you have to put your loved one in memory care. If you are a caregiver for your loved one, we are here for you as well, even if you’re not a member of our on-campus community. Our goal is to provide support, advice and education for family caregivers, wherever they may be. We understand how important your role is, and we’re here for you however you may need us.”

 

Dedicated Memory Care

Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull delivers highly specialized memory care assisted living for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our resident-centered approach focuses on providing dignity, purpose and moments of joy in daily life for those in all stages of the disease. We offer a wellness-focused lifestyle that centers around a resident’s current skills and abilities, not those that have been lost to dementia.

 

Life-Enriching Programs

Our team members take an active role in getting to know each resident on a personal level to deliver programming that is meaningful to them. We account for the preferences, interests, needs and abilities of our residents to connect with them and encourage their involvement in daily life and boost self-esteem.

 

Warm, Residential Atmosphere

Featuring a stunning residential design, every inch of our community has been designed to benefit those with memory loss. Attributes such as soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel comfortable, safe and at home.

 

Contact us today to learn more.

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