3 Things To Consider When Choosing A Memory Care Community

When it comes to a senior living community, there are various living options to choose from, all specifically catered to meet the different care needs of loved ones. If your loved ones have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory loss-related illnesses, a memory care community is the living option to go with. Here at TerraBella Southport, our Memory Care community is specially designed to address and provide a solution for the complex challenges faced by loved ones living with dementia. As such, you’ll notice that our memory care community provides a structured environment where your loved ones are surrounded by accommodating team members who have the experience in treating patients with dementia. In order to choose a memory care community that’s suitable for your loved ones, there are a few things you need to consider.

Amenities and Features

Amenities and features play a crucial role in a memory care community as they allow your loved ones to achieve a well-rounded lifestyle. We recommend determining which interests are a priority to your loved ones before choosing the most important feature. Here are some questions that can act as a guide:

• What types of accommodations are offered? What is the floor plan and how big is it?
• How many meals are served daily and what is the general assortment of meals? Will snacks be served throughout the day?
• Is there a special program that assists loved ones during mealtimes?
• What types of fitness and wellness programs are provided?
• Are there specific memory-enhancing programs as part of residents’ daily activities?

Team Members

In a memory care community, your loved ones will be constantly surrounded by team members. As such, it’s important to make sure the team members have the expertise and knowledge to care for your loved ones. To find out more about the team members, you can ask these few questions:

• Are the team members knowledgeable in their specific fields? Do the team members show kindness towards all residents and are they patient?
• What training has the team members underwent and how many hours is it?
• Have the team members been in the memory care community for a long time? Do they have a good relationship with the residents?
• How do the team members calm a loved one during times of distress? And how are aggressive behaviors and triggers prevented in the community?
• What is the ratio of team members to residents for both day and night?
• What are some dementia techniques the team members use?
• Are residents assigned the same team member/s?

Safety Features

There’s no need for explanation on the importance of safety features in a memory care community. Since loved ones with dementia have a higher likelihood of exposing themselves to danger, the community should constantly provide a safe and secure environment. Some things to take note of during your tour of the community include:

• Are both the community and apartments secured at all times? What are the policies regarding visitors?
• Are the apartments individually installed with emergency call systems, climate control settings, and other safety devices?
• How is the community designed to enable loved ones to recognize their apartments easily?
• Is there a nurse or medical personnel on-site in the community 24/7? What happens when my loved one is in need of medical attention at night?
• Are my loved ones supervised while they’re roaming around the community?

With these things in mind, you will soon be able to find a suitable memory care community for your loved ones.