Memory Care Services – Why You Need Them

Baby boomers, those who are born between 1946 and 1964, are aging and with this fact, the number of dementia cases is rising. The need for memory care services is also expected to rise. According to the projections from World Alzheimer’s Report and RAND Corporation, the number of people with dementia will possibly double or even more by the year 2040. The demand for quality memory care services will rise sharply over the coming decades. The baby boomers generation is creating a surge of people needing treatment for dementia cases. Fortunately, the senior care industry is adept at accepting the change and meeting the demands. According to Senior Housing News, new and existing communities are ready and equipped in the development of memory care units.

Deciding to put a loved one in a memory care community

People with Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia sufferers need specialized and comprehensive care. Deciding to put your loved one in a memory care unit can be a difficult decision but the benefits outweigh the consequences. Memory care services offer more than assisted living, it gives seniors the quality of life they need with their condition.

Why you need memory care services

Memory Care Services are more expensive than traditional assisted senior living. It offers particular programs and features specifically for Dementia sufferers.

Memory Care Programs often include the following services:

• A secure environment where they can safely wander around preventing elopement incidents.
• A low staff-to-resident ratio
• Color-coded hallways and building design that help seniors to navigate the premises easily and reduce their anxiety
• Sensory-based programming
• Can accommodate people in their early, middle or late stages of the disease

Effective Assisted Living with Memory Care Services can deliver improvements in the quality of life of the resident. Through effective services and efficient treatments, the family will observe the following indications of improvement in the quality of life of their loved one:

• Reduced number of medications
• Negative medication side effects
• Reduced incidents of injuries and falls
• Decreased number of ER visits
• Fewer incidents of violent behaviors
• Improved independence and Social Interaction
• Improved body nutrition and Decreased vitamin deficiencies
• Residents are functioning at a higher level
• Increase sense of happiness
• Improved or maintained mental functions of about 75% of residents in six months

The role of family in memory care

The role of the family is important in determining how their loved one lived before coming to the center. Once families decide to bring their loved one to memory care services, the memory care team will work with them to get the necessary information about the new resident:

• Who they are
• What are their life experiences
• What has brought them a sense of success and purpose

Individualized programs help dementia sufferers to practice their interests, hobbies, and experiences unique to each one. The memory care communities work hand in hand with the families to help their loved ones create meaning and purpose even at their current state.