According to the CDC, over 11 million adults provide unpaid care for a loved one with some form of dementia and other memory-related conditions. It amounted to over 18.4 billion hours of care in 2023 alone.
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that over 75% of those with dementia will eventually require long-term care. The right community will treat your loved one like a human being and look at every aspect of their well-being.
Read on to learn how memory care offers specialized support for seniors.
Memory Care vs. Other Senior Living Options
It’s important to compare your senior living options before evaluating memory care’s benefits. Memory care may not be the best option to start with, especially if no significant memory issues have appeared.
Personal care communities provide care for seniors who need help with ADLs or activities of daily living. These may include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Medication management
At the same time, residents don’t show significant memory loss or cognitive decline. They have scheduled, optional activities to attend but enjoy a more open, free environment.
Memory care communities are tailored to seniors with various forms of memory loss or cognitive impairments. These include all forms of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Personal care communities don’t have the same specialized staff members, and the staff-to-patient ratio tends to be lower. They also don’t offer the same types of personalized care.
Personalized Care Plans
Memory care communities offer specialized senior care plans. They carefully craft them based on the resident’s:
- Needs
- Preferences
- History
- Cognitive abilities
The plan covers every aspect of the resident’s health, including the following:
- Medication management
- Cognitive stimulation
- Social engagement
The plans are adaptable and change over time, ensuring that every resident always receives the appropriate care.
It also gives them a more engaging and fulfilling experience. Personalized activities based on their interests will be more mentally and physically engaging.
Specialized Programs and Activities
Phoenixville, PA, offers plenty of senior living activities in the area. Community members can visit local:
- Parks
- Museums
- Theaters
Memory care offers all of this and more. It offers specialized programs to stimulate cognitive health and overall well-being.
These programs become part of the resident’s personalized care plan. The resident chooses what works and changes it if necessary.
Reminiscence Therapy
Have you ever watched a movie where a character tried to regain a crucial memory? A promising type of therapy can help achieve this in real life.
It’s known as reminiscence therapy. Memory care community residents are given stimuli such as old photos or videos and asked to recall a pleasant memory.
It may never be able to fully heal memory loss, but it’s a promising start in the right direction. The therapy must be personalized because memories are so personal, but expert staff can do just that.
Cognitive Exercises
A memory care community stimulates its residents’ minds. The challenge is to keep them interested so that the activities don’t feel like homework. Otherwise, they may not fully participate.
The right communities find enjoyable activities that engage both sides of the brain. Examples include the following:
- Puzzles
- Brain games
- Reading
- Learning new skills
Physical Exercise
The mind and body connection isn’t lost in memory care communities. Exercise has been shown to stimulate blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive health. It also reduces the risk of issues such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Falls
A memory care community understands the connection and bakes it into each resident’s personalized care plans. They’ll offer a variety of exercise clubs and activities to choose from. A few examples include:
- Walking
- Dancing
- Aerobics
Art and Music Therapy
Creative activities have been shown to have powerful impacts on the residents of memory care communities.
They can safely access old memories or learn new skills, and engaging both sides of their brains can ease dementia symptoms.
Doing these activities as a group has the added benefit of social engagement. Residents can create together and show each other the fruits of their labor.
Social Engagement
Social programs are what make memory care communities a community. They are also crucial for overall well-being.
Social interaction makes residents feel welcomed and valued. It stimulates their minds and can even improve their exercise and eating habits.
Secure and Supportive Environment
Residents suffering from memory issues can feel like their world is constantly changing. Trying to keep up with the changes their brain creates is like getting through a maze without a map.
Providing a stable environment and a consistent routine are two of the most essential parts of dementia support. Memory care offers both.
Even the layout helps. The simple layout limits disorientation and secure entrances prevent any wandering.
Trained and Compassionate Teams
The staff at a memory care community are trained in the unique challenges of dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
Like the professionals at any senior living community, they’ll provide help with daily activities. The difference is the extra training received. It lets them keep residents safe and prevent them from wandering into danger.
That means understanding how these conditions can cause confusion and agitation. They’re ready to handle it and won’t take it personally.
Help and Peace of Mind for Caregivers
Caregivers with loved ones in a memory care community don’t have to worry. Knowing their loved ones are in a safe environment helps provide peace of mind.
It’s an opportunity to return to their normal lives. The time they would have spent as a caregiver is now theirs to use. They can pursue their dreams or spend time with their other family members.
Find Memory Care in Phoenixville, PA, Today
Memory care goes a step above other senior living options. Residents get a specialized care plan to meet their developing needs. Caring staff help provide special programs and activities in a safe, comforting environment.
Spring Mill Senior Living provides personalized care so residents can spend their time doing what they love. That includes participating in our quality amenities and group activities. There’s also plenty to explore in Phoenixville.
Check out our SHINE© Memory Care senior living options today.
