Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can feel overwhelming. If you’re noticing changes in your loved one’s safety or well-being, memory care might be a solution worth considering. But what exactly is memory care, and how is it different from assisted living?
Memory care is a specialized type of long-term residential care designed for those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive challenges. In a community like Arbor Oaks Senior Living, memory care residents can benefit from staff with specialized training, amenities and services, and comfortable accommodations.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care focuses on providing a safe and structured environment designed to benefit residents with memory-impairing conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Staff at memory care communities are specially trained to support people with cognitive impairments. For example, at Arbor Oaks Senior Living, our memory care team members undergo our Enriching Connections certification program.
Memory care residents in our community also have their own calendar of events and programming.
Benefits of Memory Care
Transitioning a loved one to memory care is a significant decision, but it comes with many advantages for both residents and their families.
Safety & Security
A memory care community may be better equipped to care for residents who wander. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6 in 10 people who have dementia will wander at least once, and many do so more than that. Memory care communities often have safety measures like enclosed outdoor spaces, secure entrances, and tracking systems that allow residents to move freely within safe boundaries.
Structure & Routine
According to The Alzheimer’s Project, routine and structure can be beneficial to people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Routines promote calmness and reduce stress by allowing residents to know what to expect from their day.
At Arbor Oaks Senior Living, our 8-8 program creates a structured and stimulating environment. Residents are offered a daily schedule of activities designed to promote a positive state of mind, a sense of security, and better sleep.
Professional, Specialized Staff
Supporting someone with dementia can be challenging for caregivers who don’t have the proper training. Staff in memory care communities often receive training that goes beyond standard caregiving, giving them a more in-depth understanding of the challenges of dementia.
Our staff complete our Enriching Connections certification program, which trains them to develop unique care plans for each resident.
Core values behind this training include promoting a sense of belonging for all residents, staying accountable, and continually working to make our environment dementia-friendly.
Engaging Activities
Memory care communities often offer a rich schedule of activities intended to be pleasant and therapeutic. At Arbor Oaks Senior Living, memory care residents enjoy art-making and music, yoga and light exercise, games, entertainment, and more.
Get a sneak peek of our daily activities by checking out our memory care event calendar.
Respite for Caregivers
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be exhausting. Memory care communities can provide much-needed relief for family caregivers, allowing them to focus on their own well-being while knowing their loved one is in capable hands.
By letting professionals take care of a loved one’s day-to-day needs, family members can devote their energy to what truly matters: intentional time spent with their loved one.
How Memory Care Compares with Assisted Living
While both memory care and assisted living provide support for seniors, they cater to different needs.
Assisted living is suitable for older adults who wish to remain independent, but who need a little extra help with daily tasks. It’s a good choice for those who have challenges with mobility and housework. Assisted living can also help individuals remember to take their medication and attend doctor’s appointments.
Memory care is a more specialized environment. It often includes specially trained staff and more emphasis on structure and security.
However, both assisted living and memory care often include a plethora of services and amenities. For instance, assisted living and memory care residents at Arbor Oaks Senior Living can enjoy chef-made meals three times a day, housekeeping and laundry services, and amenities like our chapel, salon, spa, and library.
Memory Care at Arbor Oaks Senior Living
At Arbor Oaks Senior Living, we believe that those living with dementia deserve compassionate, meaningful care in a supportive community. Here are some of the things we offer:
- Individualized care plan: Before joining our community, we recommend meeting with a registered nurse on our team to discuss the level of care you need.
- Private studio apartment: Our accommodations are designed to be comfortable and supportive, and we offer a variety of floorplans.
- Well-rounded support: Services we provide to memory care residents include housekeeping, three meals a day, mobility assistance, health monitoring, and 24-hour on-site staff.
- Amenities: Residents can enjoy amenities like our Whirlpool spa, library, socializing rooms, private dining room (for entertaining visitors), chapel, and salon.
- Fun things to do: From tai chi and yoga to comedy hours and games, residents can stay busy and engaged with daily scheduled activities.
Choosing a memory care community is a deeply personal decision, but we’re here to guide you through the process. Book a tour today and see how our memory care program can help. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!