You should know that Alzheimer’s or memory care is a type of assisted living specifically created to off significant care to seniors with memory issues and diseases. It is a special care unit, mainly because seniors will get long-term skilled nursing that focuses on people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
As a result, most units and specialized care facilities offer 24/7 supervised care by staff who underwent specific training for caring for people with dementia and other memory issues. Therefore, they must provide exceptional care to ensure a safe living environment, especially since memory issues are progressive and may lead to cognitive impairment.
It will offer you a structured and safe environment with already-created routines to reduce the overall stress among people who suffer from specific issues. Therefore, staff will help residents handle personal care tasks, cook meals, and act like any other assisted living facility personnel.
However, residents will get additional supervision combined with potential incentives and activities to help stimulate memory, among other things. We are discussing aspects to prevent confusion and ensure everyone is as safe as possible and engaged throughout the process.
You should know that memory service features:
- 24/7 supervision
- Lower staff-to-resident ratio
- Structured activities and layouts
- Trained nursing staff and dimension practitioners with certification
- Structured activities and layouts
- Housekeeping service
- Cognitive therapies and treatments
- Emergency call systems
- Peer support
- Social work services
- Dietary support
Assisted Living
When it comes to assisted living facilities, you should know that residents will live independently and have a little help with daily routines and activities. You can find numerous assisted living communities that will offer services to people with numerous problems.
However, if the treatment does not require intensive support due to medical problems, you can rest assured and choose assisted living instead of more specialized programs such as memory care. The service includes:
- Help to dress and bathing
- Medication management
- Meal assistance
- Mobility
- Environment
- Lifestyle differences
- Special transportation
We recommend you to enter here to understand everything about Alzheimer’s disease.
Differences Between Assisted and Memory Care Facilities
Apartments
Most rooms and apartments within the assisted living communities feature a kitchenette or kitchen, while memory care units do not work due to safety issues. At the same time, you can find environmental elements, such as:
Calming colors
More significant windows to ensure considerable natural light than other apartments
Inviting communal spaces
Meal Plans
You should know that both options will offer you three meals a day plus additional snacks, depending on the place you decide to choose. Since the choice is essential, you can choose different meal options specifically catered to your loved one.
For both options, professionals or nutritionists create relevant meal plans to ensure everyone gets proper nutrition. For instance, if your loved ones cannot handle silverware, the diet can feature finger food as much as possible.
Nutritionists will create specific meals to help people with dementia and slow the disease’s progress. We are talking about colorful meals, including white potatoes combined with brown gravy and yellow corn, to help seniors distinguish plates from the food.
The Expenses
Since memory units feature more professional, licensed staff and additional care combined with an extra level of supervision, you will get more significant monthly expenses than assisted living. Of course, everything depends on the location and type of living area, which is important to remember
Staffing
You should know that skilled nursing homes will offer you a hospital-like atmosphere and situation, meaning residents will receive numerous medical services from occupational and physical therapists, licensed nurses, audiologists, and speech pathologists, among others.
The crucial difference between nursing homes and other traditional facilities include the following:
Counseling options
Occupational therapy
24h supervision
Certified dementia-care professionals
Group activities
Help with additional chores
Proper meal plans
Special Training
You should know that assisted living communities require staff who can help residents with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, living, and moving around the community.
On the other hand, memory care staff need special training to treat and address the needs and requirements of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Besides, they should get familiar with dementia-caused behaviors and how to communicate and respond to specific situations people with dementia undergo.
By checking out this link: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm you will understand the importance of specialized treatments for people with memory issues.
Remember that staff members who work in memory communities, from housekeeping to administration, must go to continuing education that will cover a wide range of empathy activities to ensure the best treatment possible and learn the latest changes and solutions.
