When you have an older loved one who needs assisted living services, knowing what to do next can be challenging. It’s important to consider the full spectrum of care they need for all their medical needs, both physical and psychological. It’s an unfortunate reality that many senior adults struggle with neurodegenerative diseases and other medical conditions that impair memory.

Some older adults may require treatment and ongoing care that standard assisted living services cannot provide. If you believe you need memory care in Colorado for your senior loved one, you should have some idea of what to expect from this type of treatment and understand a few key facts about it. Here are six things to consider.

One: Memory Care Can Be Expensive

It’s no secret that assisted living services for most seniors can be very costly. Medicare and health insurance may only cover part of the costs imposed on families who need this care. Memory care is more in-depth and extensive than standard assisted living or nursing home services.

The median cost difference between assisted living care and memory care facilities is about $1,000 more per month for memory care. This cost difference translates to a better-trained staff; caregivers who complete specialized training for handling memory-related conditions among their residents and addressing acute symptoms of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Two: Memory Care Involves Unique Facilities

Memory care has evolved tremendously over the last several years. The best modern memory care service providers have taken extra steps to make their memory care-focused assisted living accommodations as welcoming and supportive as possible. When you visit a memory care facility, you might notice several unique design elements chosen to support the needs of residents. A few of these elements include color-coded hallways and doors, more intimate floor plans, and areas designed to prevent residents from feeling like they’re constantly pacing back and forth.

Three: Your Loved One Will Experience Engaging Cognitive Therapies During Memory Care

A major reason why memory care is more thorough and effective than standard assisted living services for seniors with memory problems is the fact that it is inherently more individualized care. Memory care staff take a case-by-case approach to every resident they treat, and they employ a wide variety of therapies and treatments that suit their individual needs. Some of these therapies could include light therapy, art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, and reminiscence therapy.

A good memory care facility will take time to get to know every new resident and fully assess their individual needs to develop individualized treatment plans. The flexibility and personal attention memory care services provide are invaluable to those struggling with memory conditions.

Four: Intense Focus on Dementia-Related Behaviors

Older adults who experience dementia often display a wide range of symptoms. One of the more common yet nebulous conditions common among those with dementia is sundown syndrome. As the name suggests, the symptoms of this condition commonly appear during transitions of daylight to nighttime. Symptoms could include apparent agitation, confusion, wandering, and restlessness. Memory care facilities help to manage overstimulation and mitigate the symptoms of sundown syndrome with effective treatments. These facilities often develop unique schedules that ensure residents can receive appropriate therapies at different times of the day to help them manage sundown syndrome and other dementia-related behaviors more easily.

Five: Memory Care Facilities Can Benefit the Family

Family is a very important part of memory care treatment. Maintaining strong family bonds between memory care residents and their loved ones can be instrumental in the management of dementia and other memory conditions. Memory care can offer family members to be active participants in their loved ones’ care and treatment through family-oriented therapies and activities. Memory care can also provide family members with peace of mind and security; knowing their loved one is receiving effective and compassionate care. Some care centers may also coordinate support services for their residents’ family members, such as support groups and presentations from professional speakers.

Six: Memory Care is Active and Engaging

Patients at leading memory care facilities often have more enriching and fulfilling experiences than residents of standard assisted living facilities. Residents are routinely engaged on a personal level by caregivers, support staff, and compassionate visitors. They also have access to group activities and are encouraged to be as active as they can safely manage. Should you sign your loved one up for memory care, you will not need to worry about them feeling isolated in a sterile, purely clinical treatment center.

Rocky Mountain Assisted Living offers research-based memory care rooted in our values of compassion, understanding, and holistic senior care. If you are interested in an assisted living facility in Lakewood with more robust treatment option for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory-related medical condition, our team is happy to provide you with additional details about our services, so contact us today.