When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care?
Generations residents come from all walks of life and backgrounds. Many seniors lead independent lives with minimal care, and others deal with more severe health issues such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other memory-related conditions.
What’s the difference between Assisted Living and Memory Care?
Assisted living refers to a living style in retirement communities with a mixture of independence and personal care services tailored to the resident’s needs. Assisted living services include things such as housekeeping, help with bathing/showering, and chef-prepared meals.
Memory care includes all of the amenities of assisted living with the additional care needed to help residents suffering from memory-loss conditions. Memory care is much more hands-on, with easy-to-navigate floor plans, regular check-ins, and staff available 24/7.
How to know when to move from assisted living to memory care?
Our medical professionals here at Generations are trained to look for signs that it may be time to move to memory care. Here are some of the indicators to look for.
Participation in the community is diminishing
If a resident is showing less interest in participating in community activities than they used to, growing distant and closed off, that could be a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s. If you can, talk to your loved one, their friends, or their caregivers to try to get a sense of any changes in their activity levels, social participation, or mood.
Caregivers have noticed a change
The professional caregivers at assisted living communities likely interact with their residents more than anyone else. They have the most consistent connection to residents’ daily lives, and they can tell when residents are experiencing a change in physical or mental health.
Our staff pays close attention to your loved one’s mental, emotional, and physical state. You’ll be the first to know if we’ve noticed a change in their life that may indicate something more serious.
General signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
There are many excellent resources online that can help you recognize the signs of memory loss conditions. Some of the most telling symptoms to look for are:
- Aimless wandering
- Confusion, agitation, and general forgetfulness
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Decrease in attention span
- Loss of appetite
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list and should not be used as a diagnosis. If you’re concerned that a loved one may be experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s, consult with a medical professional.
Generations provides Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Post-Acute Care all in one community
If your loved one is in an assisted living community like ours and you’re concerned that it may be time for them to move to memory care, don’t hesitate to talk to their caregivers. Start the conversation sooner rather than later so you can ensure that they’re getting the most appropriate care for their needs. If you’re looking for a community for yourself or a loved one, please contact us here.
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