One of the main reasons families decide to place a loved one into assisted living or memory care is a concern for their safety. While the senior may wish to remain independent, living alone may pose too many security threats. Whether fear of falling or increasing incidents of forgetfulness, there are many ways that an aging person can harm themselves. However, not every family is equipped to provide full-time care to an older adult, especially one with dementia. When it comes time to decide if one of the local memory care facilities is appropriate, families will have many questions.
One of the most pressing concerns that families express is regarding safety and security. Given their loved ones’ diminishing capabilities, how can they be sure that memory care facilities offer the assurances they need? The following article will discuss how your senior loved one is cared for in this type of residence.
Memory Care Facilities – Safety and Health Measures
While memory care centers may differ regarding specific amenities, any reputable facility has been designed with the physical and personal safety of your loved one in mind. These typically include:
- Entrance/Exit Security: If considering assisted living, residents are generally allowed to come and go as they please or to go outside to walk the grounds. However, memory care facilities must keep a closer eye on their residents as many are prone to sundowner’s syndrome, wandering behaviors, and confusion when they find themselves outside of familiar surroundings. Memory care personnel closely monitor residents and ensure they cannot leave the facility without proper supervision. They will also assist if a resident becomes confused in the hallways, common areas, or dining halls to ensure they safely return to their room. Exit doors to the outside are locked or manned to prevent a resident from wandering off.
- Navigable Floorplan Design: Memory care facilities often have specially designed floorplans that provide visual cues to residents, so they don’t get disoriented as easily. This may include color coding the hallways or placing prominent signs to help them navigate the facility.
- Rooms Designed for Safety: When your loved one moves into the facility, every effort will be made to safety-proof their space according to their needs, from additional grab bars to alert systems. Memory care facilities provide more personnel per resident to ensure they have assistance overnight and typically restrict the use of certain small appliances, electronics, candles, and anything which could be considered a fire hazard if left unattended.
- Medication Assistance: All types of assisted living and memory care will assist with medication management, which is essential for those with cognitive impairment. One of the biggest concerns with elderly individuals is that they do not keep up with required medications or take too much at once. In memory care, trained staff will ensure that your loved one takes their appropriate medication, that refills are ordered as necessary, and if necessary, doctor’s appointments are scheduled and kept.
- Assistance with ADLs: Activities of daily living include meal preparation, personal hygiene, toileting, and dressing oneself. These activities can become compromised as people grow older, especially if also living with dementia. Memory care facilities will ensure that residents are cared for, which promotes hygiene and overall general health.
At My Care Finders, we understand that deciding to place your loved one into a residence can be emotional and stressful. Our goal is to help families to make the best possible choice for their loved ones by providing information on all area facilities, accompanying families on tours, and working through the details of their transition. Our service is FREE OF CHARGE and allows
