Assisted living has evolved significantly in the last several decades and now represents a vibrant, fulfilling way for seniors to live out their lives. The communities allow for friendships, learning, and an active lifestyle while offering safety, security, and assistance. However, as time passes, an individual’s cognitive ability may become too impaired for the personnel ratio at an assisted living community, and memory care may become the most prudent choice. Memory care facilities offer more skilled and dedicated supervision for those living with or facing dementia. If a senior adult in assisted living begins to lose their memory and cognitive function, it can be an emotional time for families as they accept that their loved one’s health is declining. Some assisted living facilities have memory care residences on the same campus, which can make the transition less traumatic or disruptive.
Signs Memory Care is Needed
Memory function tends to fade over time, so it may be difficult to understand when exactly a move is required. Ultimately, safety is the most important variable and usually the most significant factor in a family’s decision.
Frequent Wandering: Assisted living communities permit their residents to structure their own days, and they are free to come and go whenever they like. Although many seniors in assisted living no longer keep a car, a resident is always free to walk out through the front doors after they sign a register. If a senior wanders out of the residence without a cognitive understanding of where they are or where they are going, they could put themselves in danger. Those with dementia are prone to wandering, and the freedom to come and go must be monitored more closely to keep them safe.
Increased Confusion: Increasing disorientation may not indicate a need for memory care in and of itself. However, if the resident can’t locate their room or gets lost heading to the dining room, personnel in assisted living may not be available to help them. The ratio of personnel to staff is higher in memory care, and seniors are under more supervision. Disorientation and confusion can be very scary, and those in memory care need more attention, so episodes are not more prolonged than necessary.
Inappropriate Behavior: One of the potential symptoms of Alzheimer’s is inappropriate behavior, including acting out sexually, acting aggressively, or indicating signs of self-harm. Many memory care facilities accommodate fewer residents than assisted living communities, allowing for additional supervision and monitoring. Personnel are also trained explicitly for these extreme types of behavior.
Social Isolation: Those with dementia often experience embarrassment and depression. They feel anxious when conversation and participation are required. Other residents in the assisted living facility may become aware that their friend has begun repeating themselves or losing their train of thought – which can cause shame and result in isolating behaviors. Memory care communities encourage appropriate social activities for those with cognitive impairment.
Professional Recommendation: A recommendation from the assisted living director is predicated on their observations and expertise. You may be surprised at their assessment, but there are behavioral nuances that they are trained to recognize. One way to not feel blindsided is to have regular sit-downs with your loved one’s care team. You may be able to delay a move to memory care by arranging for an additional caregiver, consulting with their doctor about medications that may prevent inappropriate behavior, or outfitting your senior with a wearable GPS to keep track of their movements.
A Banyan Residence offers professional assisted living and memory care options in The Villages. We are an age-in-place residence, meaning that your loved one can remain in the same room when the need for more care arises. We look forward to working with your family to determine the best options for your loved one.
