Memory Care Living and Dementia Treatments: What to Expect

For anyone struggling with dementia, it can be difficult to know where to find help. Members of all kinds can often be thrust into a scenario for which they have no preparation or training.

Thankfully, memory care communities have been designed specifically to address this need. These comfortable, specially attuned communities are intended to meet the ever-changing needs of dementia patients. And they are there to act as a support system for families suffering right along with their loved one.

In this article, we will uncover the specifics of memory care living for your benefit. We will outline some of the treatments and amenities that you might expect. And we will hopefully help you to decide if a memory care living community is right for your loved one.

How Do Memory Care Living Environments Differ from Regular Nursing Homes?

You may have heard some folks use the terms “elder care” and “memory care” interchangeably. However, this is inaccurate. Just as “practicing medicine” and “practicing oncology” mean different things, so too do “elder care” and “memory care.”

Specifically, “elder care” is a general term denoting the different accommodations that might be offered to an elderly person. This often includes:

• Independent Living,
• Assisted Living,
• (And Yes!) Memory Care.

Essentially, you can think of “memory care” as a subset that falls under the general umbrella of elder care.

Similarly speaking, memory care living environments are attuned to the discrete needs of dementia patients. Regular nursing homes may have elderly residents at various stages of ability and independence. However, memory care living residences typically only house elders with memory issues.

What is Memory Care Living Like for Dementia Patients?

Dementia patients can expect a structured, engagement-rich experience in a memory care living environment. Comfortable accommodations and a luxurious atmosphere are a given in any reputable elder home. But with memory care, the programming is typically tied to ensuring mental acuity and enrichment. Common daily endeavors include:

• Sensory perception activities,
• Sensory recognition tasks,
• Therapeutic programming,
• And more.

Many memory care living residents find that targeted programming really makes the difference in their quality of life. Each and every day can be designed for them, their needs, and their comfort.

How Do Memory Care Services Help with Dementia?

Like a muscle, the brain is amazingly adept at being stimulated (in the right way). When unused, our cognition tends to naturally decline. But in the later stages of dementia, cognitive decline can progress rapidly.

This is why memory care living communities design daily activities and therapies to help. The treatments we mentioned above can have varying degrees of effectiveness on different targeted centers of the brain:

• Sensory perception activities target all five senses and allow patients to connect with their surroundings in personally meaningful ways,
• Sensory recognition tasks help patients maintain their connection with reality as they reduce confusion, and
• Therapeutic programming such as art and music therapy aim to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

When taken together, dementia patient care can offer a both enjoyable and therapeutically beneficial experience for residents at various stages.

What Can Families Expect from Dementia Patient Care?

It’s important to say that there is currently no cure for dementia. But this doesn’t mean that families should cast out hope where their loved one’s comfort is concerned.

When working with a memory care community, you should expect a level of personalized service for your loved one. After all, each patient has different needs, different capabilities, and different triggers. Your memory care unit should be willing and able to recognize and meet those needs with a plan.

Similarly, many reputable memory care service providers realize that dementia can be just as taxing on the broader family. As such, ask about resources and support for family members when speaking with a community.

Discover Compassionate Memory Care Services in New York and New Jersey

If your loved one is suffering from dementia, consider speaking with the memory care professionals at Chelsea Senior Living. Our trained and professional staff work tirelessly to ensure our residents are as happy as they are therapeutically supported.

We also work with families of all kinds to ensure the peace of mind we offer extends well beyond our patients. Know that in times of emotional need, we are here to support your family.

Learn what to expect from memory care communities and explore treatment options for dementia today!