what to look for in a memory care community

Memory loss is a progressive condition, which means you’ll have to exercise careful consideration when searching for a dementia or memory care facility for a loved one. The right healthcare plan can ease the effects of the resident’s progression through dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Ask About the Level of Care

Your loved one has unique needs that should be addressed in their care plan. Ask about the care strategy and how it’s customized for each resident. Which techniques are used to resolve behavioral issues, emotional discomfort, wandering and other memory impairment issues?

When touring a facility, take note of how staff administers express care. How do they speak to residents? Are different therapeutic approaches utilized for each person? Memory care should be centered around your loved one as a person, not just their disease. The right community will have staff who apply a personal touch with their clinical care.

Staff Qualifications

You’ll want to find a memory care community with staff who want to get to know your loved one. They’ll ask about family history, listen to your stories, take note of likes and dislikes and incorporate those unique details into your loved one’s healthcare.

Don’t hesitate to ask about the care team’s credentials. Staff experience and tenure are good indicators of the quality of care you can expect. A low turnover rate and high experience level are sure signs you’ve found a place that administers dependable memory care.

Also, ask questions about these topics:

• Staff certification and continued training
• Staff-to-resident ratio
• Number of day staff versus night staff
• Availability of registered nurses, physicians and in-house specialists

Structure of Daily Living

Good memory care provides residents with structured routines to ease their cognitive strain and create a sense of normalcy. Does the facility have an activities schedule? How do the staff mitigate isolation issues? Keeping your loved one socially engaged is just as important as addressing their clinical needs.

Talk with the activities coordinator and ask how the staff support residents’ needs without undermining their independence. Dining options also will provide your senior with a sense of welcome and comfort when they gather for meals with their neighbors.

Facility Design

What does the facility look like? Memory care communities should have a distinct physical layout that allows for easy navigation, including:

• Wide hallways
• Grab bars
• Open common spaces
• Clear directional information
• Bright rooms with plenty of natural lighting

Embassy Healthcare offers a unique approach to memory care. Our doctors and nurses are certified to provide medical care specifically designed to help your loved one live life to the fullest. Call 216-378-2050 to plan a visit or schedule a tour online.