3 Features of Medicare for Memory Care

Original Medicare, sometimes called Traditional Medicare, was designed to offer health insurance to disabled and elderly Americans at an affordable rate. When choosing coverage, those who qualify can select between Original Medicare or one of the Medicare Advantage Plans, which are offered by private companies that work with Medicare to cover the benefits of Part A and Part B of the Medicare plans. Many of the Medicare plans available are focused on short-term care, and since the start of the plan, the available coverage for anything long-term is quite limited.

Here are three features of Medicare memory care.

Measurable Outcomes

At BridgeWater, we’re able to look at some of the positive outcomes, such as heightened skills in communication through better language and communication ability. Along with this, we look at measurable outcomes in the sense of greater awareness of sensory stimuli and motor function.

We strive for improved memory and decreasing the need for any sort of medicinal (read: pharmaceutical) treatment. We’re also proud to say that some measurable outcomes of our memory care include lowered restlessness and anxiety and improvements in depression and bouts of wandering.

Care for Early-Stage, Middle-Stage, and Late-Stage Memory Care

Early-stage care can be considered at any time within a year after confirmation or diagnosis of the condition. Dementia symptoms are not yet severe, although there may be difficulty finding the right word, items may be misplaced or forgotten, and doing basic math without paper can be a difficult task. Medicare can put together a plan for seniors in this situation.

When middle-stage care becomes necessary, you’ll see patients start to demonstrate more severe symptoms of cognitive problems, including persistent confusion and memory loss. Movement may be slower, and there may be issues with dressing, eating, and caring for one’s self. This is the point in time at which more supervised assistance may be necessary.

Late-stage memory care individuals will need the most care, assistance, and support. This can be classified as people who have lost the capacity to use the restroom of their own, have forgotten the name of their spouse or loved ones, and have great difficulty with reacting to their environment.

Staying Engaged Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually

BridgeWater’s Equilibrium program offers activities that benefit all individuals, no matter their level of cognitive decline. The activities can include things like music and art, mindfulness, and therapies that keep the mind and body engaged. When you engage your mind and body in new ways, you can discover the many new ways to support individuals with dementia, memory loss, or Alzheimer’s.

BridgeWater’s Difference

In addition to providing services that Medicare covers for residents with memory care issues, we are a community in the truest sense of the word. We are a home and family. We’re constantly rated highly and strive to provide the best and most respectful care for our residents. If someone you love is looking for assisted living in Phoenix for memory care, call us today for more information and an introductory tour.