Properly Trained Staff
First off, various memory care facilities have appropriately trained staff compared to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. At Courtyard Manor, we strive to make your loved one feel comfortable and have effective memory care. In a memory care facility, the staff, therapies, and monitoring are tailored to meet people’s specific needs with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This personalization helps increase safety by promoting familiarity and reducing confusion. When touring memory care communities, we suggest asking these questions: What does staff’s training entail? How often is the instruction given? What does the state require? By asking these questions, you will get more of an idea of what makes memory care different from standard assisted living.
Specially Designed Units
Memory care units have enhanced security to prevent wandering, a typical behavior among people with dementia. They tend to be smaller than assisted living communities and feature unique designs to assist with navigation, such as color-coded hallways. The additional layout or safety features can include: clearly defined shared spaces, outdoor gardens or interior courtyards, and secured or alarmed doors. These specially designed units ensure safety and comfort for your loved one.
Social Activities for Seniors
Another thing you should know before making a decision, memory care facilities do not isolate seniors as social activities are provided for seniors. Some everyday group activities may include: games like trivia or bingo, field trips to parks or shopping areas, art activities (such as painting or feeling different textures), and sing-alongs. Memory care facilities also plan options for all residents, regardless of the stage of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Many of these activities stimulate seniors’ minds, increase their motor skills, and provide meaningful social interaction.
Offer Dementia and Alzheimer's Care Services
Another thing to know about memory care facilities is that they offer specific Dementia and Alzheimer’s care services. Memory care addresses memory loss, wandering, and other side effects of dementia by providing effective therapies to reduce symptoms. The memory care services may include art therapy, music therapy, or even sensory stimulation based on individual needs. At Courtyard Manor, our all-inclusive nursing care is on the floor a hundred percent of the time, 24 hours a day.
Memory Care is Highly Regulated
In addition to the licensure and registration requirements for assisted care living facilities, memory care units have additional regulatory oversight to ensure high-quality care and support for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.