As parents and older relatives age, it often falls on the younger generation to take care of them.
As parents and older relatives age, it often falls on the younger generation to take care of them. This can be a welcomed adjustment, but it becomes much more difficult when the aging process involves memory impairment. When seniors begin to lose their memories, having them remain living in their own homes can become dangerous. At a certain time, it may become too much work to take care of your aging loved one at home by yourself.
If your loved one is suffering from memory loss, you may be wondering what the best care option is for them. This is why communities like
the Mission at Agua Fria have caregivers who can take care of your loved one in a secure memory care environment. Memory care nurses differ because their training is more specialized to deal with seniors who are experiencing cognitive decline. Read on to learn more about what memory care nurses do.
Where Do Memory Care Nurses Work?
A memory care nurse typically works in a memory care unit of a senior living community. This portion of the community is different than the rest of the community because it’s more secure. Memory care neighborhoods often are located on the ground floor, to avoid the use of stairs, and don’t have as many gates or doors that are easily accessible to residents. This area is exclusive to memory care patients and helps nurses to keep residents in a safe and monitored environment where they can avoid wandering off or getting lost.
What Are Their Tasks?
A memory care nurse has a variety of tasks to complete each day. Because each day can present new challenges, these tasks often differ from day to day, depending on what residents need. Through their training, memory care nurses are able to speak with memory loss residents in a way that doesn’t provoke or confuse them, while also working with them to slow memory loss. Nurses’ most important job is to provide comfort to the memory care residents and to use their training to make patients’ lives easier.
Memory care nurses are often in charge of helping with daily activities. They assist residents with personal tasks, such as bathing and dressing each day, should they need it, and can also assist residents with eating and taking medications. They are a key component to the memory care program in communities such as
the Mission at Agua Fria.
What Is a Memory Care Program?
Memory care nurses also play a big role in assisting with the memory care program, which includes the incorporation of art, sensory integration, music, pet therapy, and state-of-the-art exercise programs. It also includes the health benefit of going outdoors to enjoy the beautiful courtyard at Mission at Agua Fria, where residents have the opportunity to socialize and walk the courtyard paths.
If your loved one is beginning to show signs of memory loss or has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, a memory care program could be the perfect choice to help them cope with their changing circumstances.
