Understanding Memory Care
As of 2020, more than 55 million people were living with dementia worldwide. Unfortunately, this number continues to grow each year, with nearly a new diagnosis coming every three seconds.
Dementia is not a singular condition but a general term describing various diseases affecting a person’s cognitive functions. As a person’s cognitive functions decline, they need assistance to continue living safely and comfortably. That’s where memory care comes in.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care is specialized care for individuals with dementia. Through memory care, individuals can receive round-the-clock supervision to ensure their safety. Much of memory care is about providing routines and a structured environment to keep stress low for those with dementia.
Caregivers can provide memory care through a registered facility or at a client’s home. Specific services depend on the memory care provider but may include assistance with housekeeping, cooking, wandering prevention, mobility, personal grooming, and showering.
Is Memory Care For Me?
Being diagnosed with dementia does not mean you need to receive memory care right away. However, if you get a diagnosis, it’s never too early to start looking into different care options to feel prepared when the time comes.
The Alzheimer’s Association has created a free safety assessment checklist you can use to determine if you or a loved one might need assistance from memory care. If you experience any of the following, it may indicate a need for memory care:
- You’re no longer feeling safe living alone
- You have trouble completing daily tasks like using the bathroom or cleaning
- You have recently found yourself lost or confused in a familiar place
- You can no longer drive
- You don’t feel confident traveling alone
- You’re taking prescription medications that may alter your cognitive abilities
- You’ve recently fallen
Benefits Of Memory Care
Deciding on memory care is a big step, and it’s not something anyone expects you to take lightly. However, when choosing if memory care is right for you, it’s helpful to focus on the positive aspects of memory care and how it can enrich your life with dementia.
Assistance From Trained Professionals
One of the primary benefits of memory care is receiving help from trained professionals. Caregivers providing memory care help with household tasks like housekeeping, cooking, laundry, and vacuuming. They also assist with more personal tasks like bathing, showering, and grooming.
Aside from assisting with household chores, caregivers can also provide a sense of ease and comfort for you. They’re there to help you hone a routine and feel confident doing things for yourself. They’ll also provide safety, ensuring you don’t fall or wander.
Continue Living A Quality Life
Having dementia does not mean your independent life is ending, and it doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you enjoy. Memory care allows you to continue living and enjoying life with the safety of a professional caregiver or home aide. You can think of your memory care provider as a built-in companion, ready to join and assist you in all your endeavors.
Ease Of Mind For Family
One of the hardest parts for families when a loved one receives a dementia diagnosis is to feel comfortable leaving them alone. Memory care gives families peace of mind. Families can feel comfortable leaving their loved ones because they won’t be unattended, and help is always a few steps away. Memory care allows families to continue enjoying their time with aging loved ones instead of having to take over a caregiving role.
At-Home Memory Care With Visiting Angels
Visiting Angels offers at-home care for clients with all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. The primary goal of at-home care is to ensure clients live safely and comfortably at home. Caregivers assist with various nonmedical tasks, like light housekeeping, medication reminders, personal grooming, and mobility. They also provide companionship, wandering prevention, and respite care to give families much-needed peace of mind when they can’t be there to care for their loved ones.
Contact us to learn more about at-home care options with Visiting Angels of Flagstaff.