Taking care of older adults with memory loss can be a daunting task. Moving your older relative, whether a parent, uncle, aunt or friend, to a memory care community, is something you do to benefit them. However, that does not mean that you should just leave them at the retirement living community and trust that the caregivers will satisfy all their requirements. There is a need for ongoing vigilance concerning the general well-being of your relative in the retirement community to ensure he or she is healthy, safe, and comfortable.
Here is why you should constantly follow up on the state of your loved one at a memory care residence.
Due Diligence about Rendered Services
When you choose to move your loved one to a memory care home, you trust that he or she will be treated with love, compassion, and dignity. However, you need to verify that the community has adequately-trained personnel as well as the appropriate senior living amenities or equipment to make good on their promises.
In reality, the memory care center might not have the structure, expertise, or activities that they claim to provide to your loved one. There is no better way to tell if that is true unless you conduct some due diligence about it.
To begin with, you ought to find out whether the memory care neighborhood has the right number of trained caregivers to look after your relative. The caregiver-to-resident ratio matters a lot as it dictates the quality of services your loved one receives.
Apart from that, you need to look at the daily routines as well as the emergency plans and evacuation in case of severe storms or fire. You have to carefully assess the structure and operation of the memory care home to ensure it is practical in addressing the needs of your loved one.
Constant Engagement with Your Loved One
Transitioning is a difficult process for everyone regardless of age. A new environment with new people may not be the “home” that your relative is used to. Additionally, your loved one probably has a special bond with you. A kind of bond forged over a long time and one that is very dear to them. Essentially, you need to keep engaging with your loved one regularly to affirm that you still love and care about them. You have to be available when they request your presence by calling or visiting them at the memory care community.
Satisfaction of Nutritional and Medical Requirements
The nutritional requirement of every older adult is very unique, and depends heavily on their condition. However, dementia and other memory-related problems make it difficult for the elderly to stick to a healthy nutritional routine. A proper memory care center should take care of that. You need to inform the caregivers about your loved one’s food preferences and also inform them about his or her eating habits.
Memory Care Centers are Worth it
Older adults with dementia and memory loss need constant care and attention that they might not receive at home. You should consider moving your loved one to a memory care community where he or she can receive one-on-one care from qualified caregivers.
Nevertheless, constantly revisit the expectations and goals of moving your relative to a memory care center to ensure their needs are satisfied.
