Those who have watched an elderly loved one experience the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia know the deep level of concern they feel for their daily care, emotional well-being and personal safety. What might begin as simple forgetfulness often progresses into much more serious manifestations of the disease that can put both the sufferer and family caretakers into difficult situations.

Fortunately, senior living communities often offer memory care options that are specially designed and staffed to help those with dementia cope with the challenges of the condition.

What is Memory Care?

Created to serve the long-term needs of seniors diagnosed with various kinds of dementia, memory care communities offer a specialized, stepped-up level of assisted living and skilled senior care.

The primary objective of memory care is to provide a safe, stimulating, and caring environment that preserves the dignity and independence of the residents. What kind and how much care a senior will need depends on the individual and what stage of the disease they are experiencing.

Here is a list of benefits of memory care that strives to help those with dementia live fuller, richer lives:

• Security and peace of mind – Memory care communities are specially designed to create a simple, safe environment which minimizes a resident’s confusion, allows for round-the-clock monitoring, and prevents wandering. Knowing a loved one is safe, secure, and being looked after 24/7 calms concerns and offers a great sense of peace of mind.
  


• Increased independence – Living in a safe, secure environment gives seniors coping with dementia a greater sense of freedom. Simple-to-navigate floor plans make it easy for them to visit friends and attend activities without the fear of getting lost. Enclosed outdoor areas let elders safely enjoy fresh air and the warmth of sun whenever they desire. Restoring a loved one’s ability to live life on their own terms while assuring them help is always nearby can lift their spirits and enhance their quality of life.
  


• Personalized care – Memory care community staff are specially trained to be tuned into the unique needs of each resident. Because of the higher staff-to-resident ratio, they can truly get to know the special people they care for. Thanks to this, when something changes –physically, emotionally, or medically– they can quickly take action to address the problem. And if there is an emergency situation, a trained staff member is always there to help.


• Engaging programs and activities – Whether it’s a concert, crafting activity, seated exercise classes or light gardening, a memory care community can provide a loved one with a variety of enjoyable leisure time activities, programs, and games. Access to these programs help promote cognitive stimulation and potentially slow the progress of the disease.
  

Having confidence your loved one with dementia is in a safe, supportive, enriching environment not only frees you from the responsibilities of senior care, it helps you reconnect with them in the simple joy of spending time together as a family.

MorningStar Senior Living — Memory Care Community

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a memory care community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offer care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.