When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, you’ve begun a journey that will require a lot of choices. Who will handle what? What will you do at each stage of the journey? One of the biggest decisions you and your loved ones will have to make is when to place someone with dementia in a memory care community.
“Dementia is a progressive disease, and eventually your loved one will require around-the-clock care,” says John Moniz, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. “Most people don’t like to think about placing their loved one in a memory care community, but the truth is that a community is one of the best, safest and most fulfilling places for someone with dementia to be. These communities are designed with the specific needs of individuals with dementia in mind and ensure the highest quality of life possible.”
It’s a good idea to consider your timeline for moving a loved one to a memory care community. If possible, John recommends sitting down with your loved one in the early stages of the disease to discuss future options and make plans. If that’s not possible, talk to your loved one’s care team, family members and other decision-makers to come up with a solution that will benefit your loved one in the best possible way.
When it’s time to look for a memory care community, John mentions, it’s important to remember that you’re not always comparing apples to apples. “Different communities can offer different services, and it’s always important to choose a place that meets your loved one’s physical, mental and emotional needs,” says John. “When you’re choosing a community, be sure to have a thorough understanding of your loved one’s needs, your comfort level and what sort of things are important to you and your loved one.”
Abilities and Health Needs
There are various factors to consider as you’re looking for and touring memory care communities. Before you begin scheduling tours, however, it’s important that you understand your loved one’s abilities, needs and preferences. Here are some questions for you to answer in order to help you narrow down your choices.
- How mobile is your loved one? Can he or she walk around without too much assistance? Or is there a fall risk?
- What sort of things does your loved one need help with? How is your loved one with the tasks of daily life – for example, does he or she need assistance with dressing, bathing or toileting?
- Have you observed any unwanted or troublesome behaviors? Dementia can cause issues like wandering, aggression, delusion and other issues.
- What health issues does your loved one have? People with dementia often have other health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular problems and others. You’ll want to make sure that a community can help manage these health issues as well as anything related to dementia.
Staffing, Security and Safety
You want to make sure your loved one is safe and comfortable at a memory care community. To that end, it’s important to understand how the community is set up to be a secure, professional atmosphere for your loved one.
- What sort of security is available? Since people with dementia can often wander, it’s important that entrances and exits are secured in order to maintain a safe environment. What training does the staff receive? You’ll want to find a community that has individuals trained in dementia care best practices and who also receive ongoing training.
- What is the staffing-to-patient ratio? A low patient-to-staff ratio means that individual staff members will have more time with residents. Also, is there a dedicated staff that your loved one will work with every day?
- How are care plans developed? Are family members and medical professionals brought in to help build plans? How much input is provided by the resident? How often is the care plan reviewed?
- Do off-site physicians visit regularly? If so, how often do they come, and what services do they perform?
- What medical services are available on site? And what sort of relationships does the community have with off-site healthcare centers?
Questions About Features, Services and Amenities
Healthcare is only part of the services provided by a memory care community. It’s also a “community,” meaning a home for your loved one. You’ll want to make sure that your loved one is in a homelike environment where they will be comfortable, happy, fulfilled and inspired.
- What sort of private space do residents live in? Are there private or shared rooms? Do residents live in households or in a large group?
- What is dining like? Do residents dine restaurant- or family-style? Are snacks available at any time during the day? How are special or dietary needs handled?
- What outdoor spaces are available? Being in nature is very therapeutic, so are there opportunities for residents to go outside (safely)? Are there unique outdoor features?
- What therapies are available? Are aromatherapy, physical therapy or occupational therapy offered? What other therapies are available to help improve quality of life?
Questions for You
Asking questions about staff and other team members is important … but it’s the questions you ask yourself that will be the make-or-break determination for whether a community is right for your loved one. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- How does the staff seem to be? Do they seem approachable, caring, knowledgeable and nice? How do they interact with the residents – do they treat them as valued family members?
- How do the residents seem? Are they participating in activities and events? Do they seem happy and engaged? Are staff members interacting with them in positive ways?
- Is there free access to outdoor and indoor areas? Do residents have the freedom to go where they want within the community? If so, how is safety ensured?
- Is it easy to navigate throughout the community? Is there adequate lighting? Are hallways easy to navigate and free of tripping hazards?
- How does the community look, feel, sound and smell? Is it brightly light, well-maintained and happy?
- What does your gut tell you? Is this a place that you feel would care for your loved one like a member of their own family?
“There are many questions to ask when it’s time to find the right memory care community for a loved one with dementia, and we understand what a significant decision this can be,” says John. “We’re here to help however we can, whether that’s providing you with questions to ask or giving you information about the best situation for your loved one.”
To learn more about what to look for in a memory care assisted living community, contact us today.
Exceptional Care & Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – enriching the lives of our residents every day.
Inspiring Programs for All Stages
No matter what level of care or service is needed, residents and families can rest assured that our care and life-enrichment programs address the various stages of memory decline, allowing residents the opportunity to age in place.
Dedicated Memory Care
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham, our services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for residents in various stages of memory loss.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.