An assisted living residence is an ideal option for many senior citizens looking for safety and companionship. It offers an opportunity to live as independently as possible, allowing a senior to make their own decisions and create their own personal space while still enjoying a level of security and supervision. However, sometimes a resident develops dementia as they age – and it may become necessary to move from assisted living to memory care.
Memory care residences provide more encompassing oversight for those who live with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. If a senior citizen in an assisted living facility begins to lose their cognitive function, it may be best to make the change to memory care. It can be challenging for people to accept the reality of their family member’s decline – but they should be encouraged to consider that they are doing the best for their loved one.
Did You Know? Many assisted living residences have memory care facilities on the same campus, which can make moving significantly less stressful.
When an Assisted Living Residence is Not Enough
Memory function often slips away gradually, so it may be hard to determine at what specific time a move to memory care is appropriate. At some point, safety is generally the deciding factor – but here are the red flags to keep an eye on:
- Wandering: In an assisted living community, residents have the freedom to come and go as they please. Although many seniors may no longer have a car, a resident is always able to leave simply by signing in and out. However, if a senior wanders out of the residence without understanding where they are going – or not informing staff that they are leaving – it could be a dangerous situation. Therefore if someone is experiencing an onset of dementia and is known to wander, it is no longer safe to allow them to move around freely.
- Disorientation: If an individual’s confusion or disorientation is increasing, it should be checked out. Although these symptoms may not necessarily indicate a need for memory care, if a resident becomes lost on the way back to their room or can’t find the dining room, memory care may be an option. After all, personnel at an assisted living may not have the availability to assist at all times. There is a higher staff-to-resident ratio in memory care, as life is not as independent as at an assisted living residence.
- Inappropriate behavior: One of the primary indicators of dementia and memory loss is increased inappropriate behavior. This may include being aggressive towards other residents, attempting self-harm, foul language, or sexually inappropriate behavior. Memory care communities provide more supervision and monitoring, and personnel is trained in dealing with these behaviors.
- Social isolation: Those with dementia often isolate themselves and don’t feel comfortable engaging in conversation and participating in social activities. Other residents may notice that they suddenly have trouble communicating or constantly repeat the same sentences or stories. Memory care residences accommodate those experiencing cognitive impairment and assist in getting them to reengage with organized activities.
Often, the director of the assisted living residence may recommend that a senior move to memory care based on their educated observations. There are subtle behavioral nuances that they are trained to pick up on. However, if you do not agree with their assessment, you may be able to make the arrangements, such as hiring an additional caregiver or having a family member visit daily. You may be able to delay the move to memory care.
A Banyan Residence provides professional assisted living and memory care options for The Villages community.
