Anyone who has seen a loved one with memory loss knows the heartbreak that comes from what many call "the long goodbye."
Seeing a familiar face struggle to remember your name can be painful, and your initial thoughts might be to wonder how to support your relative and ensure they have a happy and high quality of life in these later years.
That's where memory care at Trinity comes in. Discover seven benefits of our memory care community and how to ensure your loved ones are in safe hands with our trusted team.
When someone is facing a disease like dementia, their support needs can become complex. A memory care team ensures an individual has the proper support from experienced and fully trained staff.
They will know how to manage some of the nuances of memory-related problems, like confusion or behavioral changes. Plus, their personalized care approach means the resident gets the care that meets their stage of this progressive disease.
The team will get to know the personal history of that patient and ensure they provide support that meets that person's preference and personality.
Care can also evolve with the progression of dementia. When specialist care is available to manage some of its symptoms, a person experiences greater well-being.
Safe environments are essential for those with memory and cognitive problems.
Dementia and Alzheimers can make an environment feel unfamiliar and leave a person fearful and confused, and there are several ways a memory care community addresses this.
First, the environment is secure, preventing someone from wandering away from the site, getting lost, or risking an accident. You'll find alarm-activated doors and additional security at entrances and exits.
Second, the layout is designed to be simple to follow, making it easy for residents to navigate their way around the environment.
Staff are also on hand to support patients who look lost. The aesthetics are also purposely designed to create a relaxed ambiance, with clear signs, calm, neutral color schemes, and plenty of lighting.
This design makes the entire environment safe to explore without worrying about accidents.
Creating a structured routine can be comforting to someone with dementia and Alzheimers, as it helps them to gain familiarity with the day ahead.
Memory care teams understand this, so they design consistent and rewarding daily routines for residents. Activities balance mental, physical, and emotional needs.
There may be activities like art classes for someone with creative talents.
Light exercise like yoga or tai chi may help a patient move their body and help maintain that physical independence. There will also be an emphasis on social interactions, such as group dining or games nights.
This helps to create a sense of normalcy and enjoyment that improves a patient's well-being and sharpens crucial skills like memory, communication, and coordination.
Community is essential for everyone's well-being, especially those experiencing memory problems.
It's common for those with dementia and Alzheimers to feel isolated, and a memory care team can counter this by creating a friendly environment where patients get lots of time to connect with others.
They may do this via structured activities, like running a group class.
It can also be a natural setup through the carefully designed environment of a memory care community, such as shared lounges and social dining.
Memory care teams encourage friendships to form, helping residents feel a crucial sense of belonging. It boosts happiness and dramatically reduces the risk of loneliness in old age.
Memory care patients may have health needs besides support for diseases like dementia. A memory care team can look after these patients and their well-being.
Specialist staff can oversee and administer medication, for example.
That is vital for someone with memory problems as they are at risk of forgetting to take a pill or overdosing, having forgotten when they took their last dose. So, it's one of the most crucial roles of the memory care team.
Memory support services can also assess patients' health daily, as those with memory problems may be unable to advocate for themselves.
A staff member who becomes familiar with a patient can spot if something seems wrong or if that patient needs to be checked by a doctor.
Part of the work done by elderly care at Trinity is helping the families of those with memory problems.
It's essential that relatives feel able to navigate the complex challenges and emotions that come when they face losing a loved one to a disease like dementia or Alzheimers.
A memory care community can help in several ways. For example, expert staff members can talk to families about how their relative is getting on in the community, the friendships they've made, and the activities they enjoy.
It fills a gap left by someone who doesn't have the cognitive skills to recount their everyday life stories once dementia has taken hold of that person's mind.
Teams can also inform families about practical aspects like healthcare, medication, and care plans and guide them in supporting and communicating with relatives.
Improving a person's quality of life is one of the most notable memory care benefits.
They strive to ensure that those with dementia and Alzheimers can still take part in the many things available to others and that the disease doesn't rob the person of all the joys that should come from being retired.
There is a combination of support that helps to make that happen. It comes from creating an environment that feels safe and an atmosphere that feels friendly and sociable.
It also comes from creating personalized care plans to ensure each individual has as much independence as possible and feels physically and emotionally well enough to enjoy life, even when cognitive skills decline.
Trinity caregiving options are there to support a family member suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, or another cognitive disease. With memory care at Trinity senior living, you can feel safe knowing your relative is happy and their well-being comes first.
Why not see what's available at Discovery Village Trinity by booking a tour with our team? Complete this contact form to discover our charming, high-quality community.