Are you looking for a senior care solution for a loved one with dementia? Although memory care may be offered in an assisted living community, there are many differences between these two care services.
Individuals with
dementia require caregivers who have specialized skill sets and supervision in
contrast to what is provided in assisted living. Here’s a detailed guide to the
major differences between the two services from our specialists in memory
care in Cape May County, NJ.
What is assisted living for people with dementia?
An assisted living
community will have the services and support in place to assist people in the
earlier stages of dementia. Usually, these residents have less medical needs at
this stage and onsite nurses can manage any medication needs as required. The
services they offer are more about supporting their independence by assisting
with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).
This includes help
with medications, meal preparation, housekeeping services, shopping and
errands, and leisure activities as well as bathing, dressing, and going to the
bathroom. Support services are selected according to what a resident currently
needs, and are scaled up as their needs change.
Living in an assisted
living community is about making it as easy as possible for residents
to be independent and comfortable, balancing support services with activities
that promote freedom, social connections, wellness and enjoyment. As a result,
residing in assisted living usually means staying in a private apartment home
within a vibrant community.
Well-equipped assisted
living communities are able to manage the needs of residents without having to
move them. Which means they can manage everything from skilled nursing care
after an operation to physical therapy all onsite, although it may involve a
temporary move to a different neighborhood for more specialized and intensive
care.
What is memory care for people living with dementia?
Memory care is a
service designed to provide the best possible support for those who need more
intensive care and supervision that can be provided in assisted living.
Essentially, this is a more specialized care neighborhood that focuses
specifically on those with dementia conditions. Here, supervision is 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, and is provided by specially-trained caregivers and medical
associates who have extensive experience with dementia residents.
While assisting with
IADLs is a significant part of the work in memory care, there’s much more to
this type of care. Activities designed to stimulate memory and potentially slow
disease progression are an important part of this care. This includes arts and
crafts, music, cognitive games, and physical activities.
Memory care residents
have less private space than assisted living, but more communal spaces, as it’s
important for associates to be able to interact with residents. High-quality
memory care residences do everything possible to help each resident stay
engaged, active, and as independent as possible.
Deciding between assisted living and memory care for
your loved one in NJ
When it comes to
finding professional care and support for a loved one with dementia, it’s
important to make sure the community’s values and services match up with their
current and future needs.
At The Shores, which
is part of the United Methodist
Communities network, we offer specialized care for residents with
dementia called Tapestries®. At Tapestries, we work to ensure that our
residents are able to scale up both assisted living and memory care services as
needed, all without having to move from the comfort of their community.
If you would like to
find out more about memory care in Ocean City, NJ, contact us to set up a
consultation with our memory care advisors or visit our website at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/
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