Benefits of Memory Care for You and Your Parent

Your parent’s journey with dementia is unique, and it’s impossible to know how quickly or slowly the condition may progress and affect their ability to be at home safely. As a family member, the expectations you have may shift over time as the circumstances of caregiving change. Family members often find that moving their loved one to a memory care community helps them step away from the role of caregiver so they can better maintain their parent-child or spousal relationship.

What Is Memory Care?

A memory care community provides specialized care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Team members are specially trained in dementia care, and they partner with families to provide the best care possible for each individual. Senior Living communities with Memory care provide long-term care and assistance with daily activities in a safe setting intentionally designed to support those with memory loss.

When Is It Time for Memory Care?

There’s no downside to moving too soon, but there is a risk in waiting too long. If your parent is experiencing noticeable problems with memory or changes in behavior, it may be time to consider memory care. Here are some clear signs it’s time for this type of residential care:

• Increasing care needs. As dementia progresses, it’s common to see a decline in physical health and an increase in the need for help with activities of daily living. Your loved one may need additional help with preparing and eating meals, bathing, dressing, and moving safely around the home.
• Challenging behaviors. Anger, paranoia, agitation, eating problems, and repetitive behaviors can make caregiving increasingly difficult. If your loved one is experiencing challenging behaviors, it’s essential to get the support they need in a safe environment.
• Wandering. People with dementia may forget where they are or leave the house because they’re looking for something or someone. When you notice increased confusion and start to worry about wandering, 24/7 monitoring is essential for their safety and well-being.
• Safety concerns. Even with home safety features in place, it’s impossible to protect a person with dementia from all the hazards in a typical home. If you worry about what could happen if you leave your loved one on their own at home, it’s time for the safety of a 24/7 secure environment.

Planning the move to memory care can set off a range of emotions for you and your loved one. It may be difficult for them to understand the reasons for the move, but you both have a lot to gain from choosing a memory care community. Some of the benefits include:

• Maintaining family roles and relationships. The demands of caring for someone with dementia can put a strain on relationships and take a toll on personal health and well-being. Moving a parent to memory care allows family members to spend quality time together without the burdens of caregiving.
• Specialized memory care programming. Your loved one will benefit from memory care programs designed to help them maintain independence as well as promoting social interaction, mental stimulation and physical activity.
• Access to health care services. You can rest assured that your loved one’s health care needs will be met by a highly trained staff and nurses who are on-site 24/7.
• A supportive community. Being a caregiver for a parent with dementia at home can be an isolating experience for both of you. When you become part of a memory care community, you and your loved one have the support of friendly, caring people who understand what you’re going through.

Whole-Person Approach to Memory Care in Overland Park, KS.

Village Shalom’s memory care program supports residents and their families with a whole-person approach to care. We provide a homelike and secure environment for residents to enjoy life-enriching activities, express their creativity, and live each day with purpose. Experienced teams form deep relationships with the residents they serve, which means getting to know each resident on a personal level so we can support their unique needs. We believe that a person’s remaining abilities are more important than what has been lost, and our approach to care is centered on dignity, choice, and compassion.

If you’re seeking memory care options in Overland Park, we’d love to be of service. We encourage you to contact us to learn more or schedule a personal visit.