When you have a loved one living with Dementia, having the right support around you – and finding the ideal long-term care provider – can make all the difference. With so many options for care available, how do you know which is the best choice?
Whether you’re currently transitioning your loved one into a memory care community, or debating whether it’s time to make the move, Fox Trail Memory Care Living can help. We provide personalized care for individuals in north and central New Jersey, and Manhattan, NY, living with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and Dementia. Here, our team discusses when to move from assisted living to memory care.
What Is Assisted Living?
The National Institute of Aging describes assisted living as long-term residential care centers for people who need extra support with daily life, such as medication management, bathing, and dressing. Residents typically live in private apartments or rooms with shared common areas. Assisted living centers usually offer different levels of care and provide access to several services to make life easier for those who live there. They create a sense of community and help seniors maintain their independence.
Memory care centers are similar but with added security and safety precautions for people with cognitive impairments. While they offer most of the same services as assisted living, they also provide specialized services designed to meet the needs of those living with Dementia or other forms of memory loss.
Signs It’s Time to Transition to a Memory Care Community
There is no black-and-white answer to when you should move your loved one from assisted living to memory care. Ultimately, the decision lies in your hands and comes down to a person’s individual needs and how well they function. However, some signs may indicate it’s time for a change, including:
Difficulty With Daily Activities
There are many stages of Dementia. As it progresses, individuals may struggle with grooming, dressing, or feeding themselves. Even with the support of assisted living, they may still have a difficult time keeping up with these daily habits. If so, it may be time to consider a move.
Behavior Changes
One of the most common symptoms of Dementia is behavior changes. Memory and Dementia care centers are equipped to handle psychological issues that assisted living centers are not. Our memory care communities have staff trained to help residents deal with the following:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Aggression
- Anger
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
At Fox Trail Memory Care Living, our professional team members focus on treating our residents and their families with compassion. We help them navigate the challenges of the personality changes Dementia can cause.
Wandering or Getting Lost
Wandering and disorientation are other signs of memory loss. Our memory care communities have increased security measures to help residents stay safe. If your loved one wanders away from groups, gets lost easily, or doesn’t know where they are, a memory care center may provide you with added peace of mind.
Loss of Interest or Withdrawal
Withdrawal, social isolation, and loss of interest in doing activities they used to enjoy are indicators of Dementia progression. If your loved one used to love hanging out with friends or family and now doesn’t like to have visitors, they may benefit from residential memory care.
Our memory care communities provide emotional support to residents by offering an assortment of socialization opportunities, including SPARK!, our program designed to bring intention, energy, and overall well-being into the community shared by our residents, families, and staff. These activities encourage residents to gather and foster meaningful connections while helping to stimulate their abilities. This approach aids in maintaining function and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Increased Need for Specialized or Medical Care
Memory care centers have the knowledge and support to provide specialized care for individuals with cognitive decline. Staff members are trained in communication and engagement techniques to stimulate the brains and bodies of residents. If your elderly family member has complex medical needs and requires personalized support, memory care may benefit them in more ways than one.
Benefits of Transitioning to a Memory Care Community
At Fox Trail Memory Care Living, we offer memory care for residents, where we aim to provide personalized care in an intimate, community-like setting. There are several benefits to our memory care communities.
We have numerous on-site activities to promote the well-being of the individuals in our care. Additionally, our medical team partners with your loved one’s doctors through our HOPE Program. This cooperation enables us to coordinate doctors’ appointments and ensure they’re receiving the right medication.
We partner with our staff, residents, and their families to create a treatment plan unique to them. As their condition progresses, we adjust our plan accordingly. Your loved ones deserve a place where they can thrive, even under difficult circumstances, which is why we offer several amenities, such as:
- Outdoor walking paths
- Home-cooked meals three times a day
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Wellness programming, such as art therapy, music, yoga, and more
- Regular physician visits
- Community gatherings and family activities to increase connection, such as bingo, group exercises, and volunteer visits
Receive Specialized Care at Fox Trail Memory Care Living
Assessing the needs of your loved one is a crucial first step when it comes time to transition from assisted living to memory care. Ask yourself if your loved one wanders, gets lost easily, or struggles with daily activities. If the answer is yes, you should consider a memory care center.
At Fox Trail Memory Care Living, we understand how difficult that decision can be for caregivers and family members. We’re here to make the transition as smooth as possible by providing compassionate and quality care for seniors with memory-related issues in north and central New Jersey. To schedule a tour of one of our communities or to learn more about our memory care services, contact us today.