For individuals with dementia or some other form of cognitive impairment who may require a higher level of skilled care or supervision, memory care could be an alternative. Certain communities offer private and shared living arrangements. They may either be adjacent or attached to an assisted living or nursing home, or a stand-alone facility.
In these cases, care and supervision is provided 24 hours a day. Memory care offers the exact same services as assisted living but with increased supervision and also activities intended to stimulate memory and cognition.
Alzheimer’s and dementia progression many times leads to unsafe conditions for people to live independently outside a controlled environment. Such cognitive impairment leads to difficulty with activities of daily living –toileting or personal hygiene and meal prep.
Even with help from community-based services and respite services providing care at home for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, becomes increasingly difficult. In advanced stages of the disease, more care and assistance is necessary and more than family members can provide. These are considerations that caregivers and their families find difficult to plan for or to even discuss. That is why we are here.
Paying for assisted living and memory care is always a concern. A crucial new update in 2019 and 2020 Medicare laws involves Medicare Advantage, a Medicare option that partners with private insurers to provide customized care. the definition of “supplemental benefits” is expanding, and will allow assisted living and memory care communities to be officially designated as a beneficiary’s “home.” While the program won’t cover the entire cost of living in these residences, it can potentially make various aspects of assisted living or memory care more affordable.
Memory care units are architecturally designed for the specific needs of Alzheimer’s patients: often with a circular layout because those with moderate dementia often feel increased stress when approaching a defined barrier. This also allows residents to more safely move about the building. And, unlike some assisted living facilities, memory care units do not have individual kitchens. This helps keep the stress of those with dementia and their loved ones at a minimum.
While some assisted living facilities do have secure areas to accommodate those with mild dementia, memory care units place extra emphasis on security to prevent patients from wandering, a common habit for those with more advanced dementia. Many locations offer a secure outside area where patients can enjoy the outdoors but ar unable to leave the facility grounds.
The following are some questions that you may want to ask the memory-care communities you’re considering:
- What level of care does the community provide?
- What type of training has the staff received?
- What is the monthly rate for housing and care? What services does that rate include?
- Are rooms private or semi-private? How do prices vary for each?
- What level of personal assistance can residents expect?
- What is the policy for handling medical emergencies?
- How is the community secured?
- What meals are provided? Are special dietary requests accommodated? (such as kosher meals)
- How often are housekeeping and laundry services provided?
- What programs (exercise, physical therapy, social and other activities) does the facility offer?
- Does the facility accommodate special care needs, such as diabetic care, mobility issues, physical aggressiveness or wandering?
- Are residents grouped by cognitive level?
- What is the ratio of staff to residents during both the day and the night?
- How does the facility communicate with families about a resident’s well-being? And how often?
- What is the discharge policy?