Memory loss in an aging loved one is a common but complex fact of life for many families. Accepting that your loved one needs more care than you can provide for them is difficult and caregivers often struggle to know when it’s time to look for extra support. It can be disorienting to determine which option is best for your family. For many people, it can be anxiety-inducing to figure out whether memory care is even financially feasible.
Fortunately, there are many memory care options available, including assistance at home, assisted living communities, and memory care communities. Every family wants to ensure their loved one is safe, well-cared for, and encouraged to thrive. From specialty day programs to skilled nursing care communities, supportive memory care helps make these wants a reality.
In this article, we will discuss options for senior memory care and offer guidance for caregivers who are navigating this journey with their loved ones.
The Stages of Dementia
The Alzheimer’s Association defines three stages of dementia: early, middle, and late. These stages can also be referred to as mild, moderate, and severe. Family members of an adult with dementia may notice cognitive changes that appear gradually and become more pronounced over time.
Mild dementia, or early-stage dementia, may present as memory lapses that affect the individual’s daily life. During this stage, your loved one may continue to live and function independently but experience forgetfulness and struggle with specific tasks, such as planning or organizing schedules, remembering new information, and keeping track of important belongings. Family members and close friends may notice memory and behavior changes in their loved one but people outside the person’s immediate social circle might not.
With early-stage dementia, most individuals can continue to live at home and manage their daily routine with some additional assistance. Your loved one may benefit from regular physical and mental exercise, opportunities to socialize, cognitive health programs and support groups, and other activities that keep their brain active and engaged. Basic assistance at home with maintenance tasks or routines as well as adult day programs are good options to consider. At this stage, assisted living communities are also worth considering, even if it is just to visit and learn more. This is especially true if your loved one lives alone.
Moderate dementia, or middle-stage dementia, is more severe than the first stage. Though the stages often overlap, this stage is defined by symptoms that are more pronounced and complex, with a greater effect on your loved one’s personality, behavior, and mood. The moderate stage can last for several years, during which time your loved one’s symptoms and support needs progress.
At this stage, your loved one may struggle with maintaining personal care habits and daily routines, encounter challenges with eating and sleeping, and become easily confused or agitated when they cannot recall information. Some individuals may become prone to wandering or experience depression, moodiness, or social withdrawal because of their personality or behavior changes.
This stage is often when families move their loved one to an assisted living or specialized memory care community. These communities can help connect caregivers with resources and support while providing a safe and engaging environment for their family member.
Severe dementia, or late-stage dementia, is signified by complex needs that require a greater depth of care. At this stage, a loved one will need assistance with their daily routine and need support throughout the day and night. Individuals at this stage often have challenges with mobility, eating and drinking, getting dressed, using the restroom, taking a shower, and communicating. Memory care communities that specialize in higher levels of care and skilled nursing care communities are the best options at this stage.
What Are My Loved One’s Options?
Thinking about memory care can feel strange and unfamiliar, especially if a loved one’s need is urgent. To help you find the care they need, we’ve compiled a brief overview of standard options for supportive care and services. While these options focus on your loved one’s needs, they often also offer respite and resources for caregivers.
Adult Day Programs offer a safe and supportive care environment during business hours while a caregiver is at work, has an appointment, needs a break, or otherwise cannot supervise their loved one. These programs provide your loved one with supervision, access to personal care assistance, and opportunities for meaningful activities, socializing, fitness, meals, and other services. Adult day programs can be stand-alone or part of assisted living and memory care communities.
Home Care Assistance for a family member with memory loss is often customized for individual needs and directed by a physician’s referral. At-home assistance typically involves assessing the safety of an aging loved one’s home environment and implementing safety measures such as medical alert systems and assistive mobility devices. Coordinate with your loved one’s primary care physician and other resources to develop a personalized care plan for your loved one’s healthcare needs. With home care assistance, family members typically have more responsibility for their loved one’s care than with other options.
Assisted Living Communities provide individuals with mild dementia or memory problems a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. Assisted living communities offer support with daily living activities. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that the availability of healthcare services will vary by community and location. Additional care services may become needed as your loved one’s care needs change over time. A continuum of care community that offers support for multiple care levels may be ideal for adults with early-stage dementia, as they can stay in the same community while receiving higher levels of care.
Memory Care Communities are designed for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other types of cognitive change. These communities include dementia-friendly safety features, staff trained in dementia-care best practices, and various supportive care options. Your loved one can receive scheduled or as-needed assistance with personal care, medication reminders, escorts to and from activities and meals, and daily transitions.
Memory care programs offer a sense of routine and consistent care for your loved one as well as short- or long-term respite for caregivers. Relationship-centered staffing and daily programs emphasizing health, community, and individuality can help residents live with greater dignity, independence, and a feeling of home.
Skilled Nursing Care Communities provide short-term rehabilitation stays and long-term care for individuals who need around-the-clock supervision and support. They also offer transitional care after a hospital stay, fall, or illness. For people with severe dementia or other memory loss, they can provide residential living for individuals who can no longer care for themselves safely or independently.
These communities offer a high level of care, which can include features like 24/7 assistance with daily living activities, on-site therapy service, support with medical needs, and oversight from a professional care team.
To learn more about choosing the right memory care option for yourself or a senior loved one, contact a Stoney Brook senior living expert today. Experience the Stoney Brook difference and the many benefits of relationship-centered living! Subscribe to our blog for valuable free resources. Schedule a tour at any of our Central Texas assisted living and memory care communities and see why our residents call Stoney Brook home.