Planning Guide to Memory Care
8 Step Planning Guide: Deciding Memory Care is the Best Option
There is a lot of planning that goes into making the decision of choosing memory care for yourself or for a loved one. This guide can help to spark your thinking on important factors to consider.
#1 RESEARCH MEMORY CARE FACILITIES IN YOUR AREA
When the time comes for you or your loved one to decide on memory care, where you choose to spend it is important. After deciding an easy first step to research is typing in memory care facilities in you or your loved one’s area. Click around and spend some time on the websites that appear. When researching in the designated area, look at pricing as well. Some facilities offer a monthly fee or “all-inclusive” which covers everything, while others offer prices based on the level of care you or your loved one need. Pricing can have a large impact where people choose, but other factors like amenities, services, location and reviews play a role as well. Some facilities offer solely memory care, and others offer multiple care services like independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
#2 TAKE A TOUR
As you narrow down facilities, book appointments to visit them. It’s important to see the facilities in person rather than on their website. Observe your visit closely. Pay attention to whether the staff are friendly and helpful, if the residents look happy, and if it feels comfortable. On this tour, it’s important to be able to ask questions and come prepared. Deciding to go into memory care is not a decision to rush, which is why should put in the time to research the best fit. The “fun stuff” on a tour is important, do the amenities match what they advertise on their website, if they are up to standard as well as checking to see if their nurses are Certified Dementia Care Managers. It can be difficult to see which will be the “perfect” fit for you or your loved one, an in-person tour is a step in the right direction. On the tour, make sure to ask staff members how they plan to care for residents with dementia, and ask about individualized care plans.
#3 TALK TO YOUR FAMILY
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s important to talk with family as soon as possible to create a game plan. Discuss financials, legalities, and create a long-term care plan shortly after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Talk to the people you love or talk to your loved one. When making a significant transition such as this, leaning on others for advice and to talk about plans will be beneficial. The transition to memory care can affect everyone differently, you or your loved one may be having second thoughts or anger towards this decision. It’s possible you could be alone on this journey. It can be scary to go through a big life change with no family or support, if that is the case there are many online therapy websites for elders, this is to be able to speak your feelings and talk to someone out loud about coming to terms with your diagnosis. Check out elderly counseling.
#4 DISCUSS A CARE PLAN IN ADVANCE
It’s important to develop a care plan which is individually based on you or your loved one’s specific needs. This disease will eventually take away you or a loved one’s ability to make cognizant decisions when it comes to health. Lay out from the beginning what the necessary steps are to take as this disease continues to progress. Creating a will in advance will allow your loved one’s assets and belongings to be distributed how you specified before the turn of the diagnosis. Choosing a power of attorney, AKA “proxy”, should be someone close and able to make proper medical decisions. These conversations can be difficult but having someone make personal medical decisions for someone else is not ideal. Planning will save you or your loved one trouble and possible resentment. Check out more about financial planning when deciding to go into memory care.
#5 MAKE SURE HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS ARE TAKEN CARE OF
If a loved one moves into memory care, here are three main things to remember:
- Make sure to change the mailing address to you or your loved one’s new address.
- Cancel any cable and Wi-Fi subscriptions.
- Update addresses on cards and accounts.
Hopefully, there is someone to help you or your loved one dive deep into what is the best plan for moving into memory care. Being prepared will make the transition much smoother and more efficient. It’s important to discuss this when it’s still early in the diagnosis so you or your loved one can still have input.
#6 CREATE A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT
When setting up for you or a loved one’s room, it’s important to create a sense of familiarity. Bring a favorite chair, favorite blanket, or pictures of family and friends to provide comfort. Being in a new space, anything familiar can make a difference. Arranging the furniture in a similar setup to the previous living room can help, as living in a new space can feel overwhelming. As the Alzheimer’s or dementia progresses, being around familiar objects and photos of family will help to stimulate the brain even if there is no recollection.
#7 PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES
With a 24/7 activities calendar to take part in, there is always something to do. With Alzheimer’s or dementia, staying active and social can help increase cognitive function and boost overall mood. Activities are offered at all times of the day to give each type of resident the chance to participate. Activities are not mandatory, however, strongly encouraged. Participating in these activities will help your loved one see how important it is to engage with others and how enjoyable it can be. When someone has Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s important to stay distracted and enjoy the small moments in life. Not everything has to be to you or your loved one’s taste, but there is a good mix of different types of activities for different interests.
#8 Establish a Support System
Having people who will be there for you or your loved one will be crucial through the battle of this disease. Having family and friends that will check in, reach out, and remind you or your loved one of old memories will help lessen the burden of reality. Early in the diagnosis, establish important people who will make the effort to be there for you or your loved one. Discuss how it can become difficult to watch this disease take over and how communication will decrease. Having a support system will help not only you or a loved one but family and friends.
We’ve discussed 8 important steps to plan for after making the decision to go into memory care. Although there are many steps that correlate with making the transition, these are some main points to really consider. Make sure to do enough research and see these facilities in person. Reach out to a support system for assistance and have them help in the aid of housekeeping items that need to be taken care of. Understanding the significance of planning when facing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia will drastically help the process. Memory care is necessary for anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, it helps with the progression of the disease and creates a positive environment for you or your loved one to have the opportunity to thrive in.
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