Understanding Memory Care
Memory Care communities, such as those offered at some Charter Senior Living residences, provide comprehensive care and housing to seniors who suffer from memory loss. You can assure your clients that these communities provide residents with a safe environment while focusing on improving quality of life, maintaining dignity, and reducing the negative behavioral effects related to memory loss.
Candidates for this level of care are seniors with memory impairment who can no longer live alone, either at home or in the care of a family member.
When To Make a Memory Care Referral
Sometimes it may be challenging to help a client accept that their loved one needs additional support. Moving out of a home, which is a known comfort, can be stressful. We encourage you, as a professional, to place a great value on the health and unique medical needs of your client’s loved one, and suggest the client observe and even document changes in their loved one’s physical and cognitive behavior.
For a better understanding of how you can support someone you know who might be struggling, share these questions with them for them to ask their loved one:
- Has your loved one fallen recently? Are they at risk for frequent falls?
- Is your loved one becoming increasingly more isolated?
- What is the condition of the home? Is it messy and/or unclean?
- Is personal hygiene being neglected?
- Is there an abundance of clutter? What about stacks of unopened mail?
- Are bills being missed?
- Is your loved one losing weight without explanation?
- Are they having trouble remembering how to do simple, familiar tasks?
- Are you finding unexplained purchases in their home?
- Is your loved one experiencing heightened anxiety about driving?
- Are they getting lost when going to familiar places?
- Are you noticing increased defensiveness or paranoia?
- Are you finding yourself increasingly confused after speaking with your loved one on the phone?
- How is medication being managed? Are doses being missed or mismanaged?
If your client answered yes to any of these questions, it’s definitely time for them to think about a Memory Care community for their loved one.
What To Look For in a Dedicated Memory Care Community
When a client comes to you about their loved one beginning to lose their memory, it’s likely that they may experience uncertainty or despair, and they’ll undoubtedly have many questions. Do they need assistance right away? What care does their loved one need, and where can they find it? Charter Senior Living can help with these questions.
What’s provided in Memory Care?
A Memory Care community like Charter Senior Living offers more than an expert dementia-trained staff. Residency also includes:
- Private, accessible and customizable apartment homes
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, grooming, dressing and medication management
- Specialized dementia programming
- Anytime dining that meets dietary restrictions
- Housekeeping, laundry and maintenance services
- Amenities and services that include a beauty salon, activity room and library
- Beautifully landscaped grounds
- Temporary respite stays
- Flourish™ programming – a unique, research-based approach to Memory Care
It’s essential for loved ones to be informed of their possibilities. As they research potential communities, make sure your client knows to ask about payment methods, admission costs, monthly costs, and any financial aid.
Many families are concerned about the costs of living in a Memory Care community; however, Charter Senior Living can connect you with or make recommendations for a variety of services and alternatives, including:
- “Try before you buy” Short-Term Stays
- Medicare coverage
- Long-term care insurance plans
- Life insurance plans
- Pensions, annuities and investments
- Real estate experts
- Loans (including bridge loans)
Helpful Memory Care Resources
It’s also a good idea for people living with memory loss to visit sites such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimers.gov and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. All these sites offer practical information for family caregivers as well.
For additional resources, your client can contact us to request a copy of Seeking Support: A Guide to Navigating Memory Loss, the perfect resource to help navigate Memory Care decisions with confidence, as well as Charter’s Knowledge is Comfort guide, another comprehensive booklet filled with helpful information about senior living that Charter is glad to provide at no cost. For additional reading, check out our “Ask the Expert” blog.
Charter Senior Living: Come See How We Can Serve You Best.
Charter Senior Living’s mission is To Enhance the Human Spirit through our various offerings, services and amenities. We’re a family-owned senior living organization that’s committed to providing high-quality lifestyles to our residents and their families.