Moving to a memory care community can be difficult for both the person with dementia and their family, but many benefits come with it. To make certain that the move is the best choice for your loved one, use this checklist before moving into memory care:
Ask What Services Are Included In The Monthly Fee
You should ask about the monthly fee, daily rate, and extra services that are not included in the monthly fee. For example, it will cost extra money if you want to take your loved one out on a date or go shopping with them.
Ask about transportation options – how much does it cost? Are there any free shuttle services available?
What are their food options if they want to eat at home but don’t want to cook every day? Is there someone who comes by daily and prepares meals for residents, or do they have access only through catered events (like lunchtime)?
Finally, ask about entertainment options: Does this Community have activities planned out every day so that residents always have something fun going on, or do families need to provide their entertainment (such as board games)?
Take A Tour Of The Community During Meal And Activities Times
When you visit a memory care community, you must see how the residents are treated during meal times and daily activities. As you tour the Community, ask to see the following:
- The dining area. You want to see if it’s comfortable and inviting, with plenty of space between tables, easy-to-read menus posted in the kitchen and by each table, and an attentive but not hovering team.
- The activity room. You want a space where residents can enjoy simple games or crafts with other residents while being supervised by team members who know how to interact with them appropriately (i.e., not too much like kids).
- Your loved one’s memory care unit or private room, if applicable-this is where most of their time will be spent during the day, so make sure it’s comfortable and welcoming! Also, check out what activities are available here (elderly people often enjoy puzzles), as well as whether there’s enough privacy from other rooms nearby; some communities offer private units but don’t allow families inside unless invited by management first because they want privacy protected between patients/residents too!
Find Out How They Handle Emergencies
The next thing you should ask is how the Community handles emergencies. Does it have its medical staff, or does it rely on an outside provider? How many nurses are on staff at night and during off hours? What is their plan for fires, power outages, and floods?
Look Into Security Protocols
Ask about how the Community deals with unruly residents and their families. Some people will be more difficult than others, but if nothing can be done to calm them down, they may need to be removed from the Community altogether.
Make sure that there is a secure entrance for visitors at all times of the day (not just during visiting hours). Ask about their team training on how best to deal with any situation where someone might become agitated or aggressive toward another resident or team member.
Conclusion
If you are considering a move to a memory care community, we hope this checklist helps you get started. This is one of the most important decisions you will make for your loved one, so you must research and ask questions before making any decisions. If you feel overwhelmed or unsure about what steps should be taken next, feel free to reach out! Our team is always happy to help answer questions and provide guidance on finding the right senior-friendly independent living Community for your loved one’s needs.
