Worldwide, nearly 50 million men and women suffer from some form of dementia including Alzheimer's disease, and every year, nearly 8 million more are diagnosed. This means that every year, tens of thousands of caregivers—often adult children—look for a memory care community they feel is the best choice for their aging loved one.
Choosing a memory care community is a tremendous responsibility, and given the wide array of choices available today, making sure the community you select is the best one can seem almost as impossible as providing the care yourself. If you're starting your search, there are four factors you need to consider when choosing a memory care facility for your loved one.
1. Certifications and Licensure
This should be first on anyone's list. Residents with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia require skilled care from healthcare providers who have the educational background and training to provide an array of care services focused on memory and cognition. Be sure to ask about the credentials of the staff providing care for your loved one, as well as the community’s licensure status. Also, inquire about the specific training provided to the direct care to help them care for residents with memory issues. Classes can be on dementia, communication techniques, and innovative therapies, to name a few.
2. Staff-to-Resident Ratio
It just makes sense. When a larger staff is responsible for a smaller resident group, residents benefit from more individualized attention. That's why staff-to-resident ratios can provide an effective measurement when comparing one memory care facility to another. When asking about ratios, be sure you receive information about the staff members who will be directly involved in caring for your loved one. For instance, ask how many residents a single nurse will be responsible for on any given shift. When discussing ratios, some memory care facilities may include ancillary staff members like cleaning or kitchen staff to provide the appearance of a better ratio than the actual proportion of caring giving staff to residents.
3. Safety Features
People with dementia tend to wander. Choosing a memory care community with safety features like alarmed doors or closed-circuit monitoring systems for hallways and public areas like outside patios is important for limiting unintentional exits. Also, look for handrails in hallways and bathrooms, wide halls that are easy to navigate, and signage that helps residents locate important areas like dining rooms, therapy rooms, and other non-residential spaces to avoid the frustration of becoming lost.
4. Décor
Although it may not seem as important as the other three factors in this list, multiple studies have shown décor and environment play critical roles in helping people with Alzheimer's or cognitive loss adjust to their new residences and can even help slow the progression of the disease and its symptoms. A community that cultivates a soothing and relaxing environment reduces stress and anxiety that can often lead to more significant episodes of confusion—as well as higher levels of general unhappiness and increased risk for chronic diseases. Elements like color, home like furnishing, and even plants have been shown to reduce stress and unhappiness among residents with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Although caring for people with dementia demands some design features to prevent injuries and wandering, look for memory care facilities that look and feel more like your home and less like a medical facility in order to help your loved one feel comfortable and at home in their new environment.
Choosing a memory care household for a loved one can seem overwhelming to even the most organized person. Taking your time to get a "feel" for the communities you're considering—even making a list for comparison purposes—can help you feel more confident in your decision. With the right caregiving in place, you can finally enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is receiving the great care.
To schedule a tour, contact Jennifer Schlotbom at (513) 960-5093 or on our website.
