*What is Memory Care? Memory care is a term that refers to specialized care provided by a community to help seniors and other individuals affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory impairment.
*What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in people over the age of 65. Although the disease usually does not appear until after 60, symptoms can show up as early as in someone’s 30s. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, a loved one may experience memory impairment, lapses of judgment, and subtle changes in personality. As the disorder progresses, memory and language problems worsen and individuals begin to have difficulty performing activities of daily living.
*How is Memory Care different from Assisted Living? While it exists under the umbrella of assisted living, memory care includes a higher degree of clinical care to provide for the special needs of those with Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Parkinson’s and other dementia causing disorders. Memory care is often provided in a separate area of an assisted living facility, however, Brookside Memory Care is a standalone building designed especially for it. Memory care generally includes daily programming to keep residents engaged and active, physically, mentally and socially.
*What is the level of clinical care in a Memory Care Community? Most memory care communities provide a higher level of care than normal assisted living facilities. Brookside Memory Care can accommodate and care for residents with diabetes, Parkinson’s, two person transfers, hoyer lifts, Lewy body, and other comorbidity like disease. * Intake on level of care may depend on the community’s current acuity *
*Is there a nurse available within the community? Brookside Memory Care not only has a licensed RN on staff but also a Medical Director who conducts onsite visits on a weekly basis. This takes away from all the hassle of scheduling transportation for doctor appointments and family or friends having to take time off from work.
Does Memory Care include medication management? Proper timing and dosages of medication are vital to memory care. Brookside Memory Care has designated highly trained Med-Techs to manage our resident’s medication(s).
*What does Memory Care cost? How do you pay for Memory Care? The cost of care can vary greatly, depending on each individual’s care needs. Private suites will also differ in price vs companion suites. We work with long-term care insurance, the Veteran Affairs, and private funding.
*What kinds of dementia does Memory Care cover? Brookside Memory Care is equipped to cover all kinds of dementia. – Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia and others. Our team members are highly trained and we heavily invest in continuing education in order to enhance our skills and performance. This is one of the many differences you will find in our community versus the others.
*Is it better to live at home with dementia? Each individual’s situation is unique, but as the disease progresses and care concerns become more complex, a community specializing in memory care can provide a better less-stressful experience to both the individual and their loved ones. In particular, an environment designed to be dementia – friendly and social will provide a safer, more enriching experience for the resident while allowing the loved one / caregiver to avoid the burnout and complications that often come with providing one on one care in the home.
*Is a private or companion room better for someone with dementia? While a private room can seem like a better choice for someone with dementia, years of experience have shown that companionship is very important for people living with dementia. Research has shown that the social interaction and the sense of companionship can provide great benefits.
*How do I know if my loved one needs memory care? The onset of dementia is usually a slow and gradual process but other times it may occur rapidly. It can be difficult to recognize when care is needed before crisis occurs however, recognizing the need for the care early can be very important. A doctor’s diagnosis is the most important piece, but on a daily basis its vital to recognize warning signs such as confusion about where they are, losing track of time, trouble managing finances / paying bills and trouble performing familiar tasks.
*How do I talk to my family about having my loved one at a memory care community? The decision to move a loved one into memory care is complex and difficult, and sometimes family dynamics can make it more so. Every situation is different, but conversations about care should revolve around what is best for the person who needs care. Identifying needs provides a reference point against which all other concerns are weighed and debated. It is also very important in this process to identify who (if anyone) is the primary decision –making and to identify each family member’s worries.
