Memory Care Facilities

So it turns out that my instincts were correct in what to look for when I visited Alden Gardens and Sun Rise. This came across my e-mail today:

Tips to Choosing a Strong Memory Care Community (From https://www.emeritus.com)

Memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia conditions is usually provided in a dedicated community, or a special care section in an assisted-living or skilled-nursing community.

Because of the nature of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, it is crucial to find a community where the staff is highly skilled and experienced in caring for this fragile population and significant safety precautions are in place.

Once you know the particular special care needs of your loved one, here are some of the things you need to look for when visiting a care community:

The Environment

• Do the residents have adequate privacy for bathing, toileting and hygiene?
• What safety measures are in place for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia?
• Are there door and window locks, motion detectors, monitoring systems, adequate lighting and no-slip flooring?
• Is there an outdoor patio or walking area that is easily accessible to residents yet enclosed to prevent wandering away from the community?

The Staff and Care Team

• How much time does the staff take to gather information about a resident in order to provide the best care for them?
• How does the staff handle challenging resident behavior?
• Do the caregivers have specialized training in effectively communicating with and caring for residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia?
• Do the caregivers interact with residents in a comforting and professional manner, maintaining their dignity and respect?
• How do the caregivers deal with the progression of the disease?

The Residents

• Are residents actively engaged in activities that are appropriate and interesting to them?
• How is their hygiene? Do they have brushed hair, are clean-shaven, are wearing matching, clean clothing, and free of incontinence odors?
• Do the residents appear to have a level of dementia that is consistent with your loved one’s current needs and behaviors? In many cases, communities specialize in a certain care level that may not be appropriate for your loved one.

For individuals living in a special Alzheimer’s or Dementia care unit in an assisted-living community, there may come a time when they need more advanced medical care, which would be skilled nursing care.