A Guide To Memory Care For Seniors

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or any other form of dementia, it is essential to create a care plan that meets their needs. It may be time to put your loved one in a memory care program if they are experiencing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, or agitation.

Primary care doctors suggest that family members need to start by first researching various memory care programs offered by senior living communities.

What Does Memory Care Mean?

Memory care is a type of long-term program that is catered to meeting the unique needs of older adults who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or any other form of dementia. Memory care programs often make up part of assisted living programs but there are also standalone communities that exclusively offer treatment programs for older adults with dementia.

Memory care communities make use of specially designed living spaces and programs to help older adults with memory loss to stay safe without depriving them of fitness and wellness activities. At Aston Gardens At The Courtyards, we provide specialized care to older adults with memory-related conditions to help them better manage their physical and cognitive health.

Our memory care team works with the resident’s physician to create a custom care plan. The plan aims to meet all of the resident’s current needs while also focusing on what they may require in the future. Caregivers receive special continuous training to be equipped with the best practices for supporting and communicating with residents with memory-related conditions.

Benefits of Memory Care Programs for Seniors

•   Catered Dining – Seniors with dementia can struggle when eating on their own. A busy or noisy environment can make them lose focus on their food and a lack of hand-eye coordination can make using cutlery challenging. Some may have vision problems that make it difficult to distinguish between different food items. This can lead to poor nutrition and weight loss. A catered dining program helps to overcome these challenges to support older adults with dementia during mealtimes.
•   Life Enrichment – Wellness and fitness programs are designed to allow older adults with memory issues to feel successful again. At Aston Gardens At The Courtyards, we have an on-site activities director who carefully curates an array of resident-focused programs that can help stimulate minds and improve cognitive abilities. There are also therapy sessions that residents can attend to soothe agitation, promote better sleep, and help them reconnect with their experiences and memories.
•   Family Support – When a loved one is diagnosed with a memory-related condition, it affects their family members too. Through our memory care program, there are consistent health and wellness visits by doctors who will provide continuous medical updates to residents’ families. Families receive the support they need to better understand what their loved ones are experiencing. The program will give them the opportunity to voice their concerns and feelings so that they can better cope with challenges that are physically and emotionally challenging.

We invite you to schedule a tour of our memory care campus to explore the care services that we offer here.