Author: Sarah Williams
Reviewed By: Catherine Braxton
Memory care facilities provide a variety of practical and therapeutic services designed to support individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Trained caregivers typically follow customized care plans to help residents with necessary daily living activities, increasing care as their condition progresses. Memory care facilities often offer specialized programs to ease common symptoms of dementia, delay cognitive decline and maintain a purposeful quality of life.
Memory care residents typically live in a safe and supportive environment with 24/7 supervision and assistance, tailored activities and extra security features. Rates generally also include laundry, housekeeping, maintenance and meals, with menus crafted to appeal to the senses. Culinary teams usually offer various dementia-friendly dishes, including pureed meals and finger food. Facilities often provide transportation to medical appointments as well.
Caregivers usually encourage resident independence as much as possible, increasing services as functional ability decreases. Trained staff assists individuals with personal care, everyday living activities and medication management, ensuring resident dignity, hygiene, health and comfort. Personal care tasks may include oral care, bathing and toileting, and other daily activities include transferring, ambulation and eating.
Staff members also have specialized dementia care training, which provides them with the tools to manage behavioral issues, communicate effectively with people at all stages of disease progression and treat residents with respect and compassion.
Memory care communities generally provide ability- and interest-appropriate activities to support holistic well-being, including fitness classes, social events, spiritual support and opportunities to enjoy hobbies. Many facilities offer one-on-one and group activities designed to engage the brain and support cognition, such as quizzes, storytelling and games.
Residents may also benefit from sensory stimulation programs, such as aromatherapy, massage and crafts. Communities typically schedule therapeutic activities proven to help those with dementia, such as reminiscence, music and animal-assisted therapy, and some services are geared toward providing a sense of purpose, such as gardening and intergenerational activities.
Additionally, memory care staff usually supports residents’ well-being through care coordination and family engagement services. Communities may have on-staff or contracted medical and rehabilitative professionals, such as nurses and occupational therapists, and might also facilitate visiting health services from podiatrists, dentists, audiologists and opticians. Other health care provisions may include in-house laboratory and pharmaceutical services.
