Smaller spaces, such as one-bedroom or studio apartments, are often an excellent option for those who are looking for memory care support in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). These accommodations are easy to navigate and provide convenient access to almost everything in one room.
Having a smaller apartment in a CCRC can actually provide residents, especially those living with memory loss, with a higher quality of life by allowing them to maintain a level of independence while not being too overwhelmed by space and clutter. Let’s explore the other benefits below.
Large spaces can be disorienting for people living with memory loss. With too many rooms and too many things, larger and multi-room living spaces can cause confusion and disorientation. Having a smaller one-bedroom space ensures everything is in one room—easy to see and access.
As older adults move into assisted living memory care, they often need to downsize. With a smaller apartment, they can still choose the furniture and decor that mean the most to them, without cluttering their new home.
They can fill their new home with their favorite pieces, so it feels like the space is truly theirs. Downsizing into a smaller apartment also means there’s less to clean or trip over and more to enjoy in the community at large, just beyond their private apartment.
Most retirement communities have large, beautiful common areas where residents can engage with staff and neighbors whenever they feel like it. Then, when they return to their apartment, they’re in a cozy, comfortable space that meets their needs. This way, they have access to both social and private spaces, depending on how they’re feeling on a given day.
By living in a smaller apartment, residents are encouraged to leave their rooms to explore the retirement community. Social engagement is critical for slowing cognitive loss—it lifts residents’ spirits and helps them enjoy the day.
Premier retirement communities have superb dining services that allow residents to enjoy the food they want, when they want it. At Marjorie P. Lee in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood, for example—residents come together for delicious meals in the dining room. Group dining offers additional opportunities for social engagement. On days when residents aren’t up for visiting the dining room, meals can be delivered to their apartment. That way, they can count on a balanced meal plan without worrying about cooking.
A move to a smaller assisted living memory care apartment means gaining professional support from well-trained staff. At Marjorie P. Lee, our residents have access to many of the healthcare services they need, even as their needs change. We also provide a suite of researched-based memory support services like SAIDO® Learning, Art Therapy, and Music Therapy, available to residents in our assisted living memory care households. These programs use a combination of music, art, and other holistic interventions to engage residents and stimulate their minds in a positive way.
For seniors living with memory loss, healthcare needs evolve over time. By choosing a continuing care retirement community that offers services above and beyond what your loved one requires now, you can rest assured knowing they’ll be well taken care of and supported as their needs change. Also, moving into a smaller apartment allows your loved one to take advantage of the independence, social engagement, and safety these spaces offer.
To learn more or to request a complimentary tour of the assisted living memory care apartments at Marjorie P. Lee, call us at (513) 327-5266 or fill out our information request form.