Senior Family  Services 

When it becomes difficult to care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia at home, you may want to consider memory care.  Memory care is a form of residential long-term care that provides intensive, specialized care for people with memory issues.

Many assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes have special memory care “neighborhoods” for dementia patients. There are also stand-alone memory care facilities.

 

Memory care is designed to provide a safe, structured environment with set routines to lower stress for people with Alzheimer's or dementia. Caregivers and staff provide meals and help residents with personal care tasks, just like the staff at an assisted living facility, but they are also specially trained to deal with the unique issues that often arise as a result of dementia or Alzheimer's. They check in with residents more frequently and provide extra structure and support to help them navigate their day.

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Because people with dementia are prone to wander (6 in 10 do so, according to the Alzheimer’s Association), memory care facilities have alarmed doors, elevators that require a code, and enclosed outdoor spaces to keep residents on site. Many offer tracking bracelets that give residents the freedom to explore but still allow staff to monitor their location.  Activities are designed to improve cognitive function and engage residents at different stages of the disease.

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Many facilities have struggled with staffing in the wake of the pandemic, and the quality of memory care units varies widely. It's important to visit and ask questions as you consider whether memory care is the right fit for your loved one. 

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