What is Memory Care?

The reality is that memory loss is not a new phenomena, even though Alzheimer’s disease and general dementia are often in today’s headlines. In 1906, a woman passed away from ‘an unusual mental illness’. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. Her doctor was Dr. Alzheimer.

Memory care homes are widely available for those who suffer from declining or lost memory. It can be devastating to witness a loved one who has started to lose their memory. Caring for a person suffering from memory loss can be challenging, and many of those challenges are often beyond what the average person can handle, which is why memory care is such a valuable asset in any care facility. We have one home that specializes in memory care, but all our homes can handle memory care residents to some extent.

Who Needs Memory Care?

Technically, people of all ages can suffer from memory loss due to various reasons. But when we think of memory care, we most often think of help for the elderly who suffer from general dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s. But the truth is that anyone who suffers from memory loss that affects their ability to function on a day-to-day basis is a prime candidate for memory care.

It’s easy to think you are having a ‘senior moment’ when you can’t remember where you put your car keys. The difference between that kind of forgetfulness and true memory issues is the person needing memory care can’t remember what their car keys are used for.

What are the Effects of Memory Loss?

Memory loss can go far beyond not remembering the faces of loved ones, although that is heartbreaking in and of itself. The challenge with memory loss is that it can also manifest in dangerous ways, such as:

• Forgetting where one lives
• Forgetting how to operate an oven
• Neglecting personal hygiene
• Being prone to angry outbursts and “acting out”
• Wandering away from home at odd hours

What is Included in Memory Care?

People with memory loss don’t all need the same things in terms of assistance. That’s why homes such as our that offer memory care typically have varying degrees of help for their residents, depending on how far along they are in the progression of memory loss. Services relating to memory care may include such things as:

• Medication reminders
• Medication dosage regulation
• Housekeeping and laundry service
• Meal preparation
• Overnight sleep monitoring
• Bathing/toiletry assistance
• Companionship
• Encouragement of activities/hobbies

Many people who suffer memory loss also are cognizant of their issue, and feel embarrassed by it. They tend to withdraw and isolate themselves socially because they don’t want to look foolish. Social settings like a memory care home will help them to feel like they fit in again. Social interactions can help slow down the memory loss and keep the mind active.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with memory loss, it is advisable to seek out an assisted living home that can provide the specialized memory care your loved one needs. When you find one you’re interested in, be sure to carefully review what services are offered, because they won’t all be the same. You want to ensure that your loved one is receiving the correct level of supervision, in a care regimen designed to specifically address the issues relating to their memory loss.

To learn more about assisted living, please visit our website at http://www.aparadiseforparents.com, email us at Cam@aparadiseforparents.com or call (Cam) at 623-295-9890.