Making a decision to put your parent into an adult residence is a difficult one. Maybe you are noticing a decline in their cognitive ability, or you are concerned about their stability and balance. While most people wish they could keep their parents at home with them, work schedules and other commitments sometimes make that an impossibility. The good news is, there are compassionate and professional options that will care for your loved one and provide a wonderful quality of life. There are many different types of residences providing elder care, and determining the right choice for your loved one can seem overwhelming. This blog is geared towards explaining the difference between memory care facilities and assisted living residences to help you in your decision.
Both assisted living residences and memory care facilities are operated under the assumption that your loved one requires daily assistance in some way. These facilities differ from senior residences, which provide amenities but not medical and practical assistance.
Assisted Living Residences
Assisted living facilities offer a full spectrum of services which assist senior citizens to thrive and enjoy quality of life. These services typically include a comprehensive meal plan and full dining services, facilities for exercise, classes and educational activities, excursions and off-site activities, rides to doctors appointments and shopping and a wide variety of social events. Assisted living facilities concentrate on providing a rich quality of life for residents, and provide many opportunities for enrichment.
Assisted living recognizes that the individual may have a reduced capability to live alone, but is still a vital human being with interests, emotions and needs. The trained staff at the facility assists with medications and medical care, and checks in often to ensure the resident’s safety and well-being.
Memory Care Facilities
Memory care facilities offer all of the same benefits to their residents, but with the additional ability to provide care for those experiencing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Day to day routines and activities are designed to permit the resident to maintain a sense of personal dignity and independence whenever possible, while ensuring that they are physically safe and comfortable.
When you approach an assisted living facility or memory care center to evaluate which is the right choice, several steps should take place. First, schedule a tour to learn about the amenities, the services onsite, and the level(s) of care which are offered. Once you have determined that an assisted living facility or memory care center is the right option for your loved one, a staff member will work with you to assess availability and expected move in dates.
A staff member at the facility will schedule and perform an assessment of the prospective resident. This evaluation will determine if the services and level of care available at the facility are appropriate for each individual. Once the resident is approved for one facility or the other, an evaluation of current physical and mental needs will establish the appropriate type of care which they will require. After all, the most important aspect of any facility which you choose for senior living is that they can provide everything that your loved one needs to be safe and live a happy, fulfilled life as much as is possible.
At A Banyan Residence, we provide both assisted living and memory care options for those living in The Villages community. To schedule a tour or ask any questions, call us today.
