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Memory Care

10 Things You Need To Know About Memory Care Facilities

John Trevey on Nov 8, 2024

Dementia is a challenging disease that changes the course of life of the person and their loved ones through increasing cognitive impairment. If your parent(s) is diagnosed with this condition, they do not have to go through it alone. By moving them to a memory care facility, you can significantly improve their quality of life and provide access to the support they need.

But what is memory care?

Is memory care the same as senior care options like assisted living facilities or retirement homes for the elderly?

The answer is No.

Memory care is a type of residential care that provides specialized assistance, including health care, for people with dementia. Memory caregivers understand the challenges faced by older adults with memory conditions, and they know the best way to support them so they can live better lives. Memory care services, programs, and activities are planned according to residents’ needs and interests.

If you’re considering moving your loved one into a memory care facility, there are several things you should know first. In this article, I will discuss ten essential things to consider before choosing memory care for your elderly parent with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

10 Things You Need To Know About Memory Care Facilities

1. Memory care facilities provide specialized care

Assisted Living vs Memory Care - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Lexington Memory care facilities are created to provide an exceptional level of care for older adults with memory disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They are very different from nursing home care, assisted living communities for the elderly, and other senior living residences.

Memory care facilities assist residents in handling activities of daily living (ADLs). They offer personal care, medical care, and helpful activities like music therapy and physical exercises that improve the person’s cognitive abilities as they deal with the challenges of memory loss.

2. Memory care facilities can provide a better quality of life.

Assisted Living vs Memory Care - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Since dementia and other memory diseases have no cure, memory care aims to help people with these conditions live the best life they can. Many intentional practices go into achieving this, such as limiting medication and prioritizing safety.

Thanks to specialized care, memory care residents may take less medication, limiting side effects that distort their natural metabolism. Even better, memory care facilities are functionally designed to help reduce the possibility of injuries or accidents to your loved ones.

3. Memory care facilities can provide increased socialization for your loved one.

Memory Care The Breckinridge Lexington, KY

Alzheimer’s special care facilities offer different social activities to improve interaction among people with Alzheimer’s disease.

For example, your loved one could spend time gardening, dancing, singing and playing games —these activities help relieve bouts of anxiety, depression, and loneliness associated with different forms of dementia.

In a memory care community, people with dementia and Alzheimer’s are surrounded by specialized caretakers committed to improving their well-being throughout their stay.

4. Memory care facilities have well-trained staff to care for your loved one.

Memory Care The Breckinridge Lexington, KY

Because of the nature of this disease, a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s needs special assistance with everyday activities. Memory care staff members are familiar with the best care practices for people living with memory conditions, including the latest developments in Alzheimer’s treatments, dementia treatments, and geriatric care in general.

Equipped with this knowledge, they can help them navigate dementia challenges and deal with this new phase in their lives.

For example, The Breckinridge Memory Care caregivers undergo specialized training to help them cater to the specific needs of older adults with dementia.

To ensure your loved one gets the care and compassion they deserve, memory care facilities have fewer residents per staff, increasing the caregiver/resident ratio. The standard practice is to have the ratio of caregivers to residents at five or fewer residents to one caregiver.

At The Breckinridge Memory Care, we limit our home to 24 residents at a time. This way, our caregivers can pay the highest level of attention to your parents, and meet their unique care needs, as they deal with the challenges of dementia.

5. Memory care facilities are specially designed for those with memory care disorders.

Memory care facilities - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

As dementia worsens, your loved one will find it increasingly difficult to move around at home without wandering off or getting hurt. At this point, your home becomes an unsafe environment for them, and moving them into a memory care community is the better and safer option.

Memory care is specially designed for the comfort and safety of your elderly parents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

6. Memory care facilities will help keep your loved ones engaged.

The Breckinridge Memory Care Lexington - Gardening

Contrary to what many people believe, social activities are a great way to enrich the life of a person with dementia. Research shows that indoor and outdoor socialization can help to improve the quality of life of people living with memory conditions and reduce their feeling of loneliness.

At The Breckinridge, our residents participate in indoor activities like listening to music, arts and crafts, and games. They also engage in outdoor activities, including taking a walk outside and sitting in the garden for conversations.

All of these activities lower feelings of depression and help them navigate behavioral changes.

7. Memory care facilities are highly regulated.

The Breckinridge Memory Care Lexington - Tasty and health meals

Because they provide specialized care for people with dementia, memory care facilities must meet strict requirements of state regulatory bodies in their communities before obtaining a license.

In addition, they have frequent regulatory oversight to ensure high-quality dementia and Alzheimer’s care for residents.

8. Memory care facilities provide an advanced approach to dementia care.

Assisted Living vs Memory Care - The Breckinridge - Lexington, KY

Memory care facilities require their staff to keep up with the latest advances in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. This is because they need to have a good understanding of the disease process and how to enhance the person’s quality of life.

9. Memory care facilities are secure.

Memory care facility - The Breckinridge - Lexington

Memory Care facilities need to be safe and secure. Because your loved one with dementia can wander off and get hurt, memory care facilities observe necessary safety and security precautions, such as alarm systems, fully enclosed outdoor areas with walking paths, as well as a functionally designed indoor space.

Despite these safety features, a memory care facility doesn’t feel like a prison. The whole idea is to keep residents safe without making them feel trapped or restricted. At The Breckinridge Memory Care, our memory care residents have the space to be active under the supervision of our caregivers and within the boundaries of the facility. They can spend time relaxing or engaging in some other activity in our enclosed outdoor garden because it feels like a comfortable home.

10. Memory care facilities offer opportunities for you to interact with your loved one.

Memory Care Facility - The Breckinridge Memory Care - Lexington

Caring for people with dementia takes a team, so memory care facilities adopt a collaborative effort. They often offer activities that encourage the residents’ families to visit the facilities and spend time together.

For example, a memory care community can host a family dinner, parent-child arts and crafts event, or invite you to participate in your loved one’s music therapy.

The idea here is to build deeper connections between the resident and their family members, even though they are away from them. For example, moving your parents to memory care shouldn’t affect your family bond; you can still see and connect with them in a memory care facility on a routine basis while knowing they are safe.

Summary

Moving your parents to a memory care facility isn’t an easy decision, but they will have the best care for their condition. With a memory care facility like The Breckinridge Memory Care, you can be assured that your loved one will enjoy the highest level of support and assistance as they deal with the life changes associated with dementia.

Schedule a tour of The Breckinridge Memory Care today to learn more about our community and our long-term care services for people with dementia.

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The Breckinridge - Alzheimer's Care

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Lexington, KY 40509

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at The Breckinridge!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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