Expert Guide to Memory Care: Tips for Caring for Loved Ones

Currently, there are over 16 million Americans providing care for friends or family members living with dementia. Suppose a loved one was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia (e.g., frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia). In that case, you might be wondering about your options for giving them the support and care they need.

Long-term, specialized care for people diagnosed with dementia is known as memory care. Many memory care programs emphasize routine and structure, which are essential for people with memory loss. Whether receiving care in the home or a residential community like the memory care community in Chandler at Solterra, seniors with dementia benefit significantly from cognitive therapy using games, music, art, and even smells.

Tips For Caregivers

To understand how best to help someone living with dementia, it can be helpful to recognize some of the most common symptoms like:

• Forgetting recently learned information or important dates and events
• Having difficulty concentrating or following instructions like a recipe
• Needing assistance with familiar tasks like driving, dressing, eating, or bathing
• Regularly misplacing items 

The following are some tips to consider to address these needs when caring for a loved one with dementia: 

1. Stick to a routine. Doing things at the same time every day can give much-needed structure.
2. Plan enjoyable activities. Engaging with your loved one in activities they enjoy is an excellent way to keep their mind and body active.
3. Stay organized. Helping your loved one keep track of appointments, medications, and events in a calendar, notebook, or phone app will help them stay independent.
4. Purchase easy-to-use clothing. Looser-fitting clothes with zippers with oversized pulls, Velcro fasteners, and elastic waistbands instead of buttons and laces can make dressing easier for your loved one.
5. Think about home safety. Making adjustments to the home environment can help ensure physical safety. Consider adding a shower chair for extra stability when bathing. Make sure cords are out of the way and not a tripping hazard. Don’t overcrowd the room with furniture that makes it challenging to navigate. Firmly attach all floor coverings to minimize accidents.
6. Focus on familiarity. Keeping photos and familiar and well-loved objects around the house can jog your loved one’s memory and make them feel secure.

In-Home Memory Care

Especially in the early stages of dementia, many seniors can remain in their homes with minimal outside assistance or move in with family members for additional support. A range of services from trained caregivers is available for in-home memory care. Depending on your family’s needs, you can choose some or all of the following types of care:

• Assistance with activities of daily living – trained professionals come to the home regularly to help with personal care like bathing, getting dressed, using the toilet, eating, and more.
• Companionship – caregivers spend time with your loved one, engaging them in recreational activities and conversation.
• Homemaker services – agencies can provide helpers for light housekeeping like cleaning and laundry, grocery shopping, and cooking and meal prep.
• Skilled medical care – some home care agencies also employ nurses or physical therapists who can provide medical care and non-medical services. This type of care can be helpful when regular injections and other medication management are needed, or if your loved one could benefit from physical or occupational therapy.

How to Find In-Home Memory Care Providers

If you’re just starting to research in-home Chandler memory care options, talking to your loved one’s doctor is an excellent place to start. Their doctor’s office might have specific recommendations for home care agencies or health providers specializing in dementia care. Friends, neighbors, or others within your community might also have first-hand experiences in this area that they could share with you.

Additional resources that you might find helpful in your search for in-home memory care providers include:

• An online search tool from Medicare lets you compare Medicare-certified home health services near you.
• Alzheimer’s Association’s online community resource finder helps you locate in-home care providers and community services, medical services, housing options, and relevant programs and events.
• The U.S. Administration on Aging can connect you to a range of services for seniors and their families, such as housing, elder rights, transportation, insurance and benefits, and support services. Call the toll-free number at 1-800-677-1116 or use the Eldercare Locator online tool.

When To Consider A Move To A Memory Care Community

Although every situation is unique, there are some indications you can look for to help you decide when to consider memory care in a residential setting rather than in the home. Generally speaking, when behavioral changes or cognitive struggles result in safety issues, you and your loved one might need additional support. To help families with this important but difficult decision, the Alzheimer’s Association has created a safety assessment checklist for people with dementia and their families and caregivers. 

Benefits Of A Memory Care Community

A Chandler memory care community like Solterra gives your loved one access to all the services and amenities of assisted living but with additional safety and security measures. A memory care community helps residents thrive with housekeeping services, chef-prepared meals, a 24-hour personal medical alert system, transportation, social and recreational activities, and assistance with activities of daily living. 

Staff receive additional training in dementia care so family members can rest easy that their loved ones are in good hands. Memory care communities emphasize routine and structure to help residents feel more comfortable and secure as they go about their activities. Specialized activities and therapies, including music, art therapy, and cognitive games, provide extra enrichment. 

Partnering With Your Chosen Memory Care Community

Once you have chosen a memory care community for your loved one, being as involved as possible is important. Provide as much information as possible about your loved one’s personality, likes and dislikes, hobbies, and history, especially about significant accomplishments. Staff will use this information to provide the best care they can, tailored to each individual. 

Get to know the staff who will be caring for your loved one. Keep the lines of communication open so that staff can ask you questions and keep you apprised of any changes in your loved one’s care. 

Caregiving Is Personal At Solterra Senior Living

When choosing a memory care community, we would love for you to consider the Chandler memory care community at Solterra. We value each individual, taking the time to get to know your family and your loved one’s personality and personal history. Working with you, we want to provide the best possible care for your loved one, focusing on their body, mind, and spirit. If you want to ask questions or schedule a tour of our beautiful community in Chandler, AZ, please contact us today!