5 Tips for Helping a Grandparent Who Needs Memory Care in Arizona

After years of having your grandparents be the ones to take care of you, the switch to looking out for them instead can be quite drastic. As you see your loved one’s memory decline, at a certain point, you know they’ll need serious memory care. You want to make the process as easy and successful as possible. But it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know where to start. Luckily, that’s where we come in. Read on for some expert advice on how to help your grandparent find the best memory care program in Arizona.

1. Don’t be afraid to turn to other people for help and advice.

Do you have any friends or family who have dealt with a grandparent or other family member experiencing memory loss? If so, ask about their experience finding quality memory care in Arizona. Also, see if you can find a community or support group. You can typically find these through certain organizations or through a hospital, memory care center, or assisted living center. Having others to confide in who understand what you’re going through can help much more than you’d expect.

2. Do plenty of thorough research on different memory care options.

Choosing memory care in Arizona isn’t the easiest decision. You want to make sure you can help with the process of finding the absolute best for your grandparent. While recommendations from others are very helpful, you shouldn’t solely take someone else’s word for it. What works for one person might not be the best for your grandparent as an individual.

Research each program you look at for its features, security, costs, potential financial aid options, and so forth. Also, look into what amenities and extras are offered at different Arizona memory care centers. Are there housekeeping services? What about exciting events or activities that will keep your grandparents happy and engaged?

When it comes to what Arizona memory care your grandparents will receive, keep in mind that this decision affects them most of all. So if you’re cutting them out of the discussions, coddling them or not seriously considering their wants, needs, and opinions, it will likely upset your grandparents.

3. Make sure to be as considerate as possible regarding your grandparent’s feelings, wants, needs, and state of mind.

Those who are experiencing memory loss can display drastic behavioral changes. They will more than likely be more emotional and less patient. This can be incredibly upsetting and shocking for their loved ones. But no matter how hard it is, you will need to learn to be incredibly patient and not take your frustration out on your grandparent.

While it’s easy to get emotional, keep in mind why your grandparents are acting this way. Even on their worst days, it’s always best to show them kindness. And it also helps to be as positive as possible, even if you’re personally upset about the circumstances.

Another important aspect of this is to also take care of yourself. If you’re strung out and stressed, you won’t be at your best to help your grandparent. This is why you shouldn’t feel guilty about taking breaks and time for yourself when you really need it.

4. Stay in touch and informed.

This helps make the transition to memory care much easier for your grandparent. Entering memory care will be a major adjustment, so do what you can to reassure them. Visit regularly, especially when your grandparent first enters memory care. Or try to contact them otherwise if you’re unable to visit in-person.

Try to schedule visits or phone calls for the times of day when your grandparents are at their best. Also, ask the memory care staff for their recommendations. They are the experts so they may know the best days and times for visits or how to space visits out. Whenever you visit or talk to your grandparents, really make sure to listen to them, and remember to be patient and positive. If there’s something your grandparent expresses dissatisfaction about or something they think they need, take note of that and communicate it to the right staff members.

Make sure to stay connected with the care center staff and be as informed as possible. If you think there is any extra information or specifications that will help your grandparents in memory care, let the right staff members know. This can include both medical information as well as your grandparent’s personal interests, preferences, dislikes, and even hobbies. You should make sure the Arizona memory care program your grandparent joins promises to regularly update the patient’s family members of their progress.

5. Help make your grandparent’s new residence feel more like home.

See if you can find a memory care center that allows residents to bring their own items from home and decorate their apartments. Bring some belongings that you know will bring you grandparent comfort and joy. This can include framed family photos. Decorate their new residence to their liking as much as you can. Recreating the feel of their home as much as possible can also help those with memory loss to feel less disoriented. You want to give them at least a few key things they recognize.

Here at BridgeWater Assisted Living, we believe our memory care program will be the perfect fit for your grandparent. Equilibrium is our science-based, thoughtfully designed activities program to keep residents engaged. It uses elements such as music therapy, which has been shown to really help those with memory loss. We are sure both you and your grandparent will be very happy with the results.

You can find out more about our memory care program in Arizona on our website. You can even schedule a tour from our website so that you and your grandparents can see our locations in-person. This will also help them feel more prepared and at ease when entering memory care.