Memory care is an important component of long-term care. Did you know that there are 5.7 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s disease alone! That doesn’t even cover the other illnesses and conditions that can lead to a requirement for memory care.
Given the intimate nature of this style of care, you need to be sure you are making the best decision in your choice of memory care facility.
Such decisions are best not undertaken lightly, but we are here to help. Below you will find the most important questions you should ask when searching for a memory care location.
Before we can pose those questions, it is important to first understand one key overriding element.
What is Memory Care?
What is the memory care definition? Memory care is a form of long-term care that is provided within a specially constructed facility dedicated to such level of care. Memory care is designed for people suffered from conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia and other direct memory related issues.
It is a specialist form of care given the sensitive nature of said conditions. Patients require a level of understanding and treatment that not every health care facility can provide.
There are growing numbers of memory care facilities. In fact, just a few years ago memory care was the fastest-growing and most in-demand form of long-term inpatient care.
1. What Level of Memory Care is Provided?
Depending on the condition and the severity, the level of care your loved one will need is of a primary concern. Understanding what level is provided by the facility you are looking at is undoubtedly one of the first questions you would look to ask.
It is important to remember to look ahead when asking this. These are progressive conditions, and the care needed upon arrival will not always be the level of care required.
2. Staff Qualifications and Training
Training is a vital component in all aspects of employment. However, when it comes to looking after those that are suffering from memory health issues it becomes even more so.
When you bring a loved one into a care facility you want to do so safe in the knowledge that the staff are certified and educated enough in the necessary to deliver the level the care that is required.
3. What Are the Costs and Recurring Fees?
While you want to ensure your loved ones get the best care, the issue of cost will always rear its head. Understanding the costs, fees, and tariffs upfront is vital
The last thing you want is to have to move to a different location simply because the costs were larger than you expected.
4. Are the Rooms Private or Shared?
Privacy is a very crucial thing. It ensures our dignity in cases where accidents of other slips that can run alongside memory care needs. Some people may flourish in a shared room, while others may fare better when given this privacy.
Different memory care facilities will have different offerings and it is important to know this before you complete the admission process.
5. Are Considerations for Dietary Requirements Made?
A requirement for memory care does not mean a removal of the basics of a persons character or belief. Dietary considerations are an important question to ask.
If your loved one is a vegetarian, vegan, or only eats halal meat, you are best to make this clear up front and ensure that the care facility you are looking at will be able to meet your dietary needs.
6. How is the Memory Care Facility Secured?
People in need of memory care are a risk patient. If they were to leave the facility on their own, unsupervised there is a chance they may not be able to find their way home.
Security is therefore important, and depending on the severity of the patient, the answer to this question can be of the utmost importance.
7. Do you Provide Second-Level Specialty Care?
Memory care is one thing, but underlying conditions cannot be forgotten. Anything from heart disease, blood pressure issues, diabetes or more. These conditions also require treatment and monitoring.
When choosing a memory care facility, it is important to ask as well as inform about these conditions to ensure full and total care requirements are covered.
8. How Does the Facility Control Family Communications
Communication is crucial. When talking in terms of patient care it increases exponentially.
This applies to both general and in case of emergency contact. Before you finish admissions it is best to have a clear and documented communication strategy, so that everybody is on the same page.
9. What is the Staff to Patient Ratio
When dealing with patients that need such deliberate and personal care you want to ensure that the staff to patient ratio is at a level that does not cause you concern.
What is the ratio you should look for? That is something nobody can decide for you. However, it is something you need to have a clear understanding of, even if just as a means of setting your base expectations.
10. What Activities and Therapies Do the Facility Offer?
Therapy is an important part of any treatment process, but particularly when it comes to memory care facilities. There are a number of different and effective options.
Asking which are available at the start of the application process will enable you to make the best decision for your loved one.
Finding the Right Memory Care Facility Takes Careful Thought
When it comes to deciding on the right memory care facility for your friend or relative, then you simply cannot underthink the options. You need to analyze and question, always question, so that you know, beyond all uncertainty, that the decision you are making is correct.
We are here to help. We are ready to talk and show you our facility and make the most difficult decision of your life as easy as possible.
Get in touch today for more information or a tour of your facilities.
