If your parent or loved one has dementia, the beginning of a new year could be the perfect
opportunity to discuss their senior care plans. While it might not be an easy topic to bring
up, starting the search early can allow your loved one to be as involved in the process as
they like before their condition progresses.

Memory care is a type of senior care that meets the needs of individuals with conditions like
Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Memory care support can
be provided within a residential assisted living community, where seniors typically have a
private or shared bedroom within a larger communal home.

Why Choose Residential Assisted Living with Memory Care?

The needs of seniors with dementia are complex and can vary immensely from person to
person. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia can therefore
benefit from the support of understanding caregivers trained in identifying and addressing
their unique needs.

Senior living homes with a memory care program are often structurally designed with the
needs of seniors with dementia in mind and provide targeted activities and therapies. The
following benefits of choosing a specialist memory care facility can allow seniors to enjoy a
calm, happy, and fulfilling retirement for longer.

Improved Social Life and Targeted Recreational Activities
Many seniors find themselves feeling more isolated during retirement. While issues like
declining mobility and bereavement affect most seniors, those with Alzheimer’s disease or
dementia may face even more barriers that prevent them from enjoying the social life they
deserve.

For example, suppose a senior is experiencing memory loss and confusion. In that case,
tasks they once found easy, like driving or meeting a friend or loved one at a specific
location, may become much more daunting. Equally, dementia can lead to a reduced desire
to socialize, even when this may be beneficial in preventing loneliness and maintaining good
mental health.

Moving to a residential assisted living community with a memory care program takes the
complexity out of socializing. Residents naturally spend time with fellow residents, family
members, and caregivers in the community environment.

Another key benefit of choosing a senior living community with memory care is that
residents can typically access a range of targeted therapies and social activities. For
example, some communities offer pet, art, or music therapy, and others have dedicated
sensory rooms to support seniors in the later stages of dementia.

Support With Financial Management
When a senior has dementia, keeping tabs on bills and finances can become much more
difficult. They may need help remembering critical financial details or paying bills on time.
Unfortunately, seniors with dementia may also be less able to recognize email, phone, or in-
person scams.

Suppose you and your loved one are interested in setting up power of attorney to protect
their finances in the future. In that case, their memory care community should be able to
offer support and resources. Finances can be significantly simplified in a residential assisted
living facility where utilities are often included in an all-encompassing payment plan.

Easier Living in an Adapted Home
Declining mobility is an issue most seniors face at some point in their retirement. With
reduced mobility, moving around the home can become much more challenging. This could
impact a senior’s ability to safely carry out activities of daily living like showering, using the
bathroom, and cooking. When a senior also has dementia, they may face additional
challenges with balance, coordination, or visual perception.

By choosing a residential assisted living home offering memory care, your loved one can live
in an environment specially designed with the unique needs of seniors with dementia in
mind. Alongside standard adaptations for reduced mobility like grab rails, roll-in accessible
showers, and elevators, these homes typically have a unique dementia-friendly design.

This design might include an easy-to-navigate layout, color coding, or high-contrast dishes at
mealtimes to support visual perception. Many residential assisted living communities also
have a great range of on-site amenities that allow seniors with dementia to live
independently within a safe and supportive environment.

Enhanced Safety and Round the Clock Care
While there is a range of common symptoms, every person with a condition like Alzheimer’s
disease has a unique experience. As dementia progresses, attentive 24/7 care often
becomes necessary to protect a senior’s well-being. The right professional support can allow
your loved one to continue living a happy and fulfilling life for as long as possible.

Patient, compassionate support, and skilled communication from professional caregivers
are vital for any senior with dementia. In residential assisted living facilities with a memory
care program, staff should be trained and experienced in dementia care. When searching
for the right community, ask about the training caregivers, and other staff members receive.

Start Your Search Today
Moving to a residential assisted living home with memory care can improve health, safety,
and quality of life for seniors and provide peace of mind for family caregivers and loved
ones. With your relative’s specialist needs taken care of by expertly trained and highly
diligent professionals, you can spend quality time together, free from the pressures of
caregiving. To learn more about our memory care program and how we could support your
parent or loved one’s unique needs, give us a call today and arrange a tour.