About Visiting Angels Richmond, Va

If one of your aging relatives is experiencing cognitive decline, then you know the challenges first-hand. It can be scary to see someone you've known your whole life deteriorate. "How much longer will Mom be Mom? How much longer will she remember me?" Perhaps you feel tired and frustrated because it’s exhausting to answer the same seven questions over and over and over again. Being a caregiver to a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s is difficult and often thankless work.

You don't have to do this alone. We're here to help.

Visiting Angels employs a variety of specialized caregivers. Our goal is to maximize the quality of life for your loved one while granting your family peace of mind. Our memory care may just be the answer you have been searching for.

This is a common experience for many families in the US. Around 7 million Americans, age 65 and older, experience some form of dementia. Even more experience cognitive decline that is natural to aging. Most are cared for by family members. They are undoubtedly trying their best to provide, but are not trained to assist with these kinds of conditions. That’s okay. It takes strength to acknowledge that you could benefit from extra help for your loved one. That’s what we’re here for. 

What makes us different? Even though millions of Americans are afflicted with memory decline, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. So, we personalize our caregiving. The first step of all our care programs is an assessment. We sit down with the family and listen. We take the time to understand your unique struggles and the experiences of your loved one. 

Once we understand your loved one's condition, we develop a personalized care plan. This acts as a roadmap that guides future caregiving. The transparency of the roadmap is very important to us because you're in control. We're trained professionals with a personalized approach. We trust you to make decisions for your loved ones. 

We adapt to meet life's challenges. Life is unpredictable, and things can change at a moment’s notice. Perhaps your loved one's dementia takes a turn for the worst. Perhaps a death in the family sends your loved one in a confusing spiral. We can address it. We can adapt, we can adjust our caregiving, and we can help them get through life's challenges. We will also keep you informed of any changes. 

What's the difference between Memory Care and Personal Care?

Personal care addresses the general limitations associated with aging. These might be conditions such as limited mobility, chronic health issues, and some cognitive limitations. Personal care provides assistance with everyday tasks. Of course, that varies from client to client since we personalize our caregiving. Personal care will most likely include hygiene care: such as helping with bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting, and home assistance: such as light housekeeping, grocery shopping, laundry, and meal preparation. Personal care can also include transportation, helping your loved one get to doctor's appointments and other obligations. 

Memory care is for neurodegenerative conditions. Our memory care in Richmond specializes in caring for individuals facing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This can include wandering prevention, medication reminders, and home assistance. Personal care is often included in memory care since clients have overlapping needs.

How our Personalized Memory Care services can help

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia. Our goal is to maximize the quality of life for your loved one while easing the stress on the family. We do these by treating symptoms and mitigating progression. Ultimately, we are a team. We can work with your loved one's doctors to fulfill instructions, complete treatment, and remind them of medication. 

We focus on in-home care services because it is often easier on seniors. Most people want to live in their homes for as long as possible. It's a familiar and comfortable environment. Moving your loved one to a nursing home or assisted living facility can cause undue stress, especially if they are experiencing memory loss. In some cases, however, memory care facilities in Richmond, VA, may be a better fit for your loved one. We can provide our services in a home or facility setting. No matter the location, Visiting Angels can help support your loved one.

This is a brief overview of what our Personalized Memory Care services can provide. There is no one-size-fits-all care plan. We personalize and adapt.

• Wandering prevention
• Managing moments of confusion, anxiety, or irritation
• Accompaniment to appointments
• Medication Reminders
• Companionship
• Laundry and light housekeeping
• Meal planning and preparation
• Grocery shopping and prescription pickups
• Help with dressing and grooming
• Assistance with bathing and toileting

FAQ: What's the difference between Memory Care and Dementia Care?

Memory Care is a holistic approach that can help seniors maintain and improve their memory. Dementia care is specialized and clinical in nature, focusing on mitigating the symptoms associated with later-stage dementia. Memory care is for those who need mental support, but can independently complete most everyday tasks. Dementia care is for those experiencing substantial difficulty with everyday tasks. 

Memory care is generalized to help seniors with memory issues. Memory care might involve physical activity to improve cognitive function. Memory care prevents dangerous wandering through companionship, monitoring, and safety implementations. 

Dementia care focuses on mitigating symptoms and improving quality of life. To understand dementia care, we need to understand dementia itself. Dementia is an umbrella term for several similar neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's is the most  familiar example. Dementia develops gradually and worsens over time. Generally speaking, it can be categorized into three stages: early, middle, and late, respectively. The early stage is marked by mild forgetfulness and personality changes. You might need to remind your loved one of important tasks or events, but overall, they are still independent. Most people don't suspect anything based on these symptoms. Memory care at this stage can slow progression. 

The middle stage manifests as difficulty with reasoning, language, and everyday activities. Loved ones can wander aimlessly, get lost in familiar areas, and become confused about the day, location, and personal details. An in-home memory care provider might provide assistance with self-care tasks and offer limited choices for meals and clothing. Seniors experiencing dementia can often become agitated by their confusion. In-home care providers can redirect them towards pleasant activities. By addressing memory care needs early, our provider can build a trusted rapport with your loved one. 

Late-stage is marked by severe physical and cognitive decline. They may be bed-bound or unable to communicate. There is a common misconception that someone with late-stage dementia can only receive help from a nursing home. This is false; 24/7 care can be administered at home and work in tandem with a medical support network. A caregiver can provide essential help such as grooming, feeding, bathing, and toileting. Having a long-term caregiver can also provide emotional support for family members. Early memory care and middle-stage dementia care can put off late-stage decline and slow dementia's progression.

FAQ: Is memory care the same as Alzheimer's care?

There is a lot of overlap between memory care and Alzheimer's care. Memory care is generalized, providing techniques to maintain memory. Alzheimer's care is specialized for those suffering from Alzheimer's and is more medical in nature. 

If your loved one is exhibiting early signs of Alzheimer’s, then memory care can help slow progression. When they receive a medical diagnosis of Alzheimer's, then we can design a plan around their unique challenges. 

There are roughly 5 million Americans over the age of 65, living with Alzheimer's. It is a form of dementia, a degenerative brain disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. We prefer to provide care within the comfort and familiarity of the recipient's home. Our Alzheimer's care is performed by caregivers uniquely qualified and trained to care for individuals living with Alzheimer's.

Reviews

When seeking memory care in Richmond, VA, families can access countless facilities and care providers. But who can you trust with your loved ones? Let our past families speak for us. 

“Absolutely wonderful and caring people working with us. Could not be any happier.” - Dana

“Kara and Jamie run and make this organization exactly what the name implies; Visiting Angels. I am grateful for the organization and sensitivity to the care giving they bring into our home.” - Scott

Our Angels

Blogs

For those who would like to learn more about dementia and how to help your aging loved ones, we recommend these blogs. 

1. Practical Tips to Support Your Parent with Dementia
2. Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer’s-Related Memory Loss
3. 6 Early Signs of Dementia
4. What You Should Do Now When Your Elderly Parent Starts Getting Lost
5. Understanding Mental Illness in Our Elderly

Reach us at 804-423-6500 for more information.

Areas We Serve

We've been proud to serve the greater Richmond Area for the last 18  years. We serve Midlothian, Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and neighborhoods throughout the Southside 

When it comes to memory care, Visiting Angels offers  a range of options. That’s why we try to stand out with quality, compassion, and personalization. 

Call today 804-423-6500 with any questions!