What Memory Care Includes

According to the CDC, nearly 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. This does not include other forms of dementia such as vascular and frontotemporal. This means the total number of affected people is much higher. This number is unfortunately only likely to grow as the US’s aging population continues to expand in scope. If your aging loved one is affected by Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it is important that they adopt a lifestyle that will both keep them safe and help them get the most out of every day in a comfortable and supportive environment.

Oftentimes, this lifestyle can only be achieved in the memory care setting provided by a senior living community. As wonderful as it would be if we could provide the level of support our dementia-afflicted loved ones need ourselves, they often require the support of trained and licensed aides. This ensures that the more unpredictable effects of these diseases - such as mood swings, aggression, and wandering - are met with anticipation and understanding. Below are some key components of memory care that can all be found in the right memory care community.

Safety

This is among the most important elements of a memory care solution. The behavior of those living with dementia can often be unpredictable. Memory-related issues can cause them to forget where they need to be or what they are doing, which means that they will need gentle support and guidance to be sure that even their base daily needs are met. For example, the aides in a memory care community can keep track of how often residents are eating and how much. This is crucial as malnutrition can be even more harmful to an aging body than it is to others.

Memory care communities will also have safety protocols in place for when residents try to wander, such as alarms, cameras, and magnetically locking doors. You may take great care of your memory-affected loved one at home, but nothing is stopping them from getting lost or wandering into a dangerous situation at night when the rest of the household is asleep.

Understanding

Dementia is an unpredictable illness, and if your loved one is affected, you may have experienced some surprising interactions with them as a result. They may forget who you are, undergo extreme mood swings, or even become angry and aggressive with you. These experiences can be troubling, and many people are unsure of how to handle them in the moment. Memory care communities are staffed with licensed aides who are familiar with the extremes of dementia and trained on how to handle them. These aides also have abundant empathy and have learned how not to take outbursts or aggression personally. This means that your loved one will always be supported on rough days so they’ll be more comfortable being themselves and getting the most out of good days.

If you would like to learn more about a Freeport memory care community that also offers assisted living, call WinnPrairie today at 815-656-4800 or contact us online.