According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of persons over 65 will require long-term care at some point in their lives. Why is this so? The reason is that the elderly in need of senior care are prone to memory loss or cognitive deterioration. In fact, dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease affects 64% of residents aged 65 and older in nursing homes, according to Health Affairs.
Assisted living and memory care facilities are the two most preferred and fast-expanding options for senior living. However, a memory care center provides seniors with more extensive and specialized care. Explore the advantages of a memory care center in greater detail below.
Specialized Care
Memory care facilities offer certain interventions and activities, which aren’t necessarily offered in nursing homes. For instance, taking regular daily strolls outside can benefit people with dementia in addition to the health benefits of exercise. While memory care facilities typically have a secure area for just such activities aimed at alleviating memory problems, some nursing homes may discourage such activities due to reasons such as injury prevention.
Trained Staff
How many employees have received specialized training in caring for dementia patients? The percentage will be nearly 100% in a memory care center, but significantly lower in a nursing home. Almost all state regulations specifically dictate that employees who work with dementia patients must receive a specified amount of training each year on how to cope with the disease. It is almost guaranteed these rules are followed in memory care.
Design
Memory care facilities will be designed with dementia patients in mind. The facilities encourage relaxation by constructing meeting spaces like a TV room because dementia patients are prone to anxiety and get confused easily. There is a lot of natural light and often brightly colored walls (which has been shown to be somewhat therapeutic).
The first step in selecting the best memory care center for your loved ones is understanding how memory care functions differently from nursing facilities. Memory care facilities provide all the assistance persons with dementia or Alzheimer’s need to get through this stage of life. Our staff has extensive experience and will provide your loved one with excellent care. Visit VIA Elegante Assisted Living today for more information.
