Are you the family member of a senior with Alzheimer’s or dementia near Washington, DC? 

You’ve probably tried managing on your own, but it’s increasingly hard to cope when you’ve got your own life to live too. Have you considered an assisted living community with memory care services?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, perhaps 60-70% of all cases. Dementia is a chronic and progressive syndrome that affects memory as well as many other cognitive functions. Though there’s no cure, the support of a skilled memory care community can improve the lives of sufferers and their families.

If you want to manage your loved one’s dementia better while optimizing their physical and mental health, it’s time to consider a memory care facility. You and your loved one need the long-term support of memory care experts to restore your quality of life.

We’re going to run through the major benefits of providing memory care to seniors who are challenged by the activities of daily living. Read on!

1. Specialized Training

An assisted living facility that provides memory care for seniors should benefit from highly-trained care providers. These caregivers will be educated and experienced in addressing the needs of a senior suffering from dementia.

Since dementia affects all areas of life, there’s a wealth of information to know and apply. This means that it’s hard for a family member to deliver the same level of skilled care.

Memory care professionals will be up-to-date with research by experts in the field and can address your emotional needs as well as your loved ones.

2. Individualized Plan

To maximize memory care benefits, techniques need to be tailored by one-on-one interactions. Dementia brings unique challenges to every person since our minds are so complex.

A memory care specialist will have extensive experience to draw on, so they can formulate a plan that has worked for other seniors with similar personal challenges. Caregivers can also draw on resources that won’t be available in a home environment to help a senior adapt to their changing needs.

3. Healthy Eating

Mealtimes can be a particular challenge for people with dementia. Too many choices overwhelm those who have declining cognitive functions so they may skip meals. They may also be finding it hard to use utensils at the table.

Senior housing with memory care addresses nutritional difficulties by providing food choices developed with dementia health in mind. A caregiver’s diet plan will tackle poor appetite, encourage hydration, and promote nutritional supplements between meals if necessary.

Many retirement communities have more than one dining room, so seniors who need an environment with fewer distractions can enjoy a simpler experience at their own pace.

4. Memory Programs

What is memory care? Aside from the intensive, specialized care provided by staff for activities of daily living, what about recreation? Seniors with memory issues need their brain stimulated by fun activities that will boost their cognitive functions.

Caregivers will usually formulate several timetables of activities that run simultaneously because not everyone enjoys the same hobbies. In an assisted living environment for memory care, arts and craft activities might involve creating a painting from memory. Games might focus on history and nostalgia.

Individual activities may also need to be personalized for seniors with different symptoms of dementia.

5. Night Safety

One of the great benefits of memory care facilities is that they are geared towards 24/7 safety. This means that they will have nighttime security in place that will be a great benefit for those who suffer sundown syndrome. Symptoms like agitation, confusion, and anxiety can ramp up at night, and this could be a serious problem for those suffering at home.

The availability of non-stop support is great peace of mind for family members who might otherwise be kept awake at night with worry. 

6. Maximize Independence

In addition to having secure entry and exit points, many memory care facilities will have interior courtyards or walled gardens. This is so that residents can safely enjoy time outside without the unpredictable hazards that they might otherwise encounter. 

The benefits of memory care facilities support independent living. The design of the building, floor plans, flow of rooms, and décor may all serve this goal. For memory care, rooms are often decorated in uncluttered ways to avoid confusion and sometimes have color-coded hallways to help residents find their way around more easily.

7. Stronger Families

It can be a huge relief of stress to see a loved one get the care they need. When a family is relieved of this worry, they can shed the role of primary caregiver and enjoy having a family-oriented dynamic again.

Family members can still be involved in a memory care plan, and they will be able to enjoy their visits more fully without the caregiver role.

8. Social Environment

Trying to help a senior with memory care needs at home can be a lonely experience for both of you. In an assisted living community, social interactions occur frequently, but with a private bedroom, a senior can feel at home with their familiar furniture and belongings. 

Staff and residents will provide the variety they need and are missing when isolated at home. In addition to social events organized at the residence, seasonal trips may be planned to suitable local attractions.

9. Local Connections

Lastly, a memory care facility will likely be connected to all the local amenities that a senior might need. This means that services like hairdressing may be available in-house or might visit the residence regularly. For those struggling to care for a senior at home, a trip to the hairdresser could be a stressful experience.

Our beautiful assisted living and memory care community has amazing amenities like a theater, exercise room, private gardens, and bistro with world-class dining.

Memory Care in Washington DC

We’ve shown that proper memory care is vital for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Don’t let the worsening cognitive abilities of a family member make daily life frustrating. 

If you’re the family member of a senior looking for an assisted living and memory care residence, we can help you. We are a retirement community in beautiful Washington, DC. We’ll provide a sense of community that’s unlike any you have experienced.

Contact us today to schedule a tour.