Accepting the fact that a loved one with dementia needs more care than you can provide at home is hard. Family members often struggle to know when it is time to look for other care options or may be unsure about which option is right for their loved one. Some may wonder if memory care is even financially within reach.
Families can find supportive memory care in various settings, from specialty day programs to assistance at home, assisted living and memory care communities, and skilled nursing care communities. Whatever the option, every family has the same goal – ensuring their loved one is safe, well-cared for, and encouraged to thrive.
In this article, we will examine a few of the most common options for memory care support and offer guidance for caregivers navigating this journey with their loved ones.
When Does a Loved One Need Memory Care?
Family members may notice cognitive changes in a loved one, which appear gradually but then become more pronounced over time. The Alzheimer’s Association defines the stages of dementia in three parts: early, middle, and late.
Mild dementia, or early-stage dementia, can be managed with a higher level of functioning by most individuals. With mild dementia, those outside a loved one’s immediate family or circle of friends may not immediately notice memory or behavior changes. During this time, a loved one may continue to live independently but experience forgetfulness and difficulty performing specific tasks, planning or organizing schedules, or losing or misplacing items of importance.
With mild dementia, most individuals continue to live at home and manage their daily routine with less assistance. At this stage, individuals may benefit from cognitive health programs, regular fitness, social opportunities, and other programs that keep the brain active and engaged. Social gatherings, like those in an adult day program, church or civic organization, or cognitive health support group can be beneficial. Basic assistance at home with maintenance tasks or routines may also be helpful. An assisted living community may be worth considering now, especially if a loved one lives alone.
Middle-stage or moderate dementia symptoms often become more pronounced and complex. A loved one may become easily confused or agitated as they cannot recall information. They may have difficulty maintaining personal care habits and daily routines or encounter challenges with eating and sleeping. Some individuals may seem prone to wandering or experience personality or behavior changes that lead to feelings of depression, moodiness, or social withdrawal.
This middle stage of moderate dementia is often when families move their loved ones to an assisted living or supportive memory care environment. This stage of dementia can last for several years, and as symptoms progress, so do a loved one’s care needs. A community setting provides a safe and engaging home environment with access to caregivers trained in dementia care best practices. Communities are also prepared to connect families with resources and support.
Late-stage or severe dementia requires care for more complex needs. A loved one with late-stage dementia will need assistance with direction and their daily routine. Individuals often have mobility challenges and need support throughout the day and night with tasks like walking or transferring, using the restroom, taking a shower, eating/drinking, getting dressed, and communicating. Later-stage dementia symptoms are best managed with the help of a memory care community specializing in higher levels of care or a skilled nursing care community.
Options for Memory Care
Below is a quick overview of standard options that can provide supportive care and services for a loved one with dementia. While focused on your loved one’s needs, these options also offer respite, relief, and essential resources for caregivers.
Adult Day Programs – Adult day programs offer a supportive care environment during the day (business hours) when an adult caregiver is at work, has an appointment, needs a break, or cannot supervise their loved one. These programs provide a safe environment for a loved one with memory loss, including supervision, access to personal care assistance, and opportunities for meaningful activities, socializing, fitness, meals, and other services. Some assisted living and memory care communities also offer adult day programs on-site.
Assistance at Home – Managing dementia-care needs at home often begins with assessing the home environment to ensure a loved one’s safety. A medical alert system, assistive mobility devices, and other safety measures should be implemented to support a loved one’s independence. At the same time, a personalized care plan should be developed to manage a loved one’s healthcare needs. Home care assistance for a loved one with memory loss or dementia is often directed by a physician’s referrals and customized for individual needs. Family members often have more responsibility for their loved one’s care when care is coordinated at home.
Assisted Living Communities – Assisted living communities provide a safe and supportive environment for those requiring assistance with daily living activities. For individuals with mild dementia, an assisted living community may be able to provide daily support for the early stage of the disease. However, as care needs increase or cognitive changes become more pronounced, a private caregiver or additional care services may be required. It’s important to remember that healthcare services available in the community will vary by location. Assisted living communities offering memory care are ideal for those with early-stage dementia, as a loved one can transition to a higher level of care without having to move offsite or to a new community.
Memory Care Communities—Memory care communities are designed to provide an engaging, supportive living environment with specialized care for older adults experiencing cognitive change. For those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other types of memory loss, these communities provide respite, a sense of routine, and consistent caregivers who can assist with a loved one’s daily needs. The setting is equipped with dementia-friendly features, such as lighting, décor, and other safety measures that allow residents to live with independence and a feeling of home.
Staffing levels are typically higher in memory care communities than in traditional assisted living communities, and staff are often trained in dementia-care best practices. Scheduled or as-needed assistance with personal care, daily transitions, medication reminders, escorts to and from activities and meals, and support for challenging behaviors is available. Daily programs emphasize one-on-one visits, favorite hobbies, social connections, meaningful tasks, exercise, healthy living, music and the arts, reminiscing, and resident-inspired activities.
Some memory care communities offer unique accommodations for individuals with dementia and their care partners to live together in a shared apartment or similar space. Inquire about a community’s options for respite care, which can provide a short-term stay for a loved one when a caregiver is away or unavailable.
Skilled Nursing Care Communities - Skilled nursing care communities provide short-term rehabilitation stays and long-term care for individuals needing around-the-clock supervision and support. A skilled nursing setting offers a higher level of care: 24/7 assistance with daily living activities, support with medical needs, on-site therapy services, and oversight from a professional care team, including a physician, registered nurses, and other licensed nursing staff.
Skilled nursing care communities commonly provide transitional care to help individuals return home successfully after a hospital stay, fall, illness, or surgery. For individuals with late-stage dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another type of memory loss, they provide residential living for those who are no longer able to care for themselves safely or independently.
Where To Start
Clarity about a loved one’s dementia diagnosis is also essential when exploring care options. Seek guidance from a trusted physician to determine the level of care your loved one will need now and in the future. Whenever possible, minimize the changes and transitions that a loved one with dementia will experience, especially as the disease progresses.
Speak with a senior care counselor or dementia coordinator who can assess your loved one’s needs and recommend an option to support and empower them to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. A senior care continuum offering multiple care levels is ideal for achieving this goal.
To learn more about when and where to begin a search for memory care or assisted living options for your loved one, contact a member of our Cardinal Bay team. Our relationship-centered communities offer a safe, comfortable, home-like environment with a competent and compassionate care team to help meet their daily needs. Subscribe to our blog for more timely resources, or schedule a tour today to see how your loved one can thrive in one of our Central Texas and Oklahoma senior living communities.