When it comes time to choosing assisted living as the best elder care option for you or an aging parent, you always want to make sure you include the senior in the process (whenever possible). Too often, though, we get caught up in our worry, doubt, and fears of the unknown and we make decisions for other people they wouldn’t have made for themselves. Yet, when an aging parent has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, everything changes.
Make no mistake, though, assisted living is arguably one of the best elder care choices available to aging men and women, especially those who are dealing with memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s, another form of dementia, injuries, stroke, or other ailments.
When you reach this crossroad where assisted living is an option, there are several things to consider. Let’s take a look at three before you get too deep into the decision-making process.
1. Does the facility provide memory care?
This is a significant point to consider. Does the assisted living community provide memory care? Not all assisted living communities offer this invaluable benefit, and for somebody with Alzheimer’s, especially in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, memory care is going to be critical as they go through the various stages of this disease.
If the facility doesn’t offer memory care, it’s not going to be ideal in most cases. Focus on those who provide memory care as a significant part of the elder care services they offer.
2. What are your long-term plans?
Also, what does this aging senior dealing with Alzheimer’s want? Do they have the mental capacity to still make reasoned decisions for themselves? Or has the disease progressed to the point where they are no longer able to process those kinds of important life decisions?
If you’re looking for something short-term because you wish to continue providing primary care for your elderly mother or father, for example, there may also be options in the form of respite care.
That’s why it’s important to understand whether this is for a long-term solution or short-term respite care. There may be limited availability for respite care when it comes to memory care facilities, but it can still be a great relief that also helps to show the seniors exactly what life would be like if they chose that community for their future.
3. Do they understand the value and importance of mental stimulation still?
Even though this memory care assisted living community may be highly rated, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have the staff or capacity to encourage residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to stay as mentally engaged in life as possible.
Yet, there is research indicating that mental stimulation, even for somebody who has already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, can help slow down the progression of the disease (Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation).
When choosing an assisted living community for yourself, a loved one, or a close friend who asked for help in this matter, when it comes to Alzheimer’s, it is crucial that you focus specifically on a memory care facility.
If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Care Services in Marietta GA please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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