Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia face unique challenges to their health and wellness. Cognitive decline comes with confusion, restlessness, lapses in judgment, and other symptoms that can make living at home alone dangerous. Senior living communities offer a safer alternative, but they are not all the same. Memory care communities are designed specifically to help people with dementia and other forms of cognitive decline.
Memory care communities are specialized senior living communities that help address and manage the challenges of dementia. While most facilities are for those in the middle and late stages of the disease, more and more memory care communities are creating programs to meet the needs of those in the early stages of dementia as well.
Memory care communities have features that differ from those of other more traditional senior living communities, like assisted living or nursing homes. Each of these differences aims to enhance the wellness and comfort of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Here are just a few ways stand-alone memory care communities differentiate themselves from other types of communities.
Smaller apartments
Assisted living and independent living apartments can be quite large, featuring a bedroom, a kitchenette, a living room, and a bathroom. Some even have a den and a second bedroom. Memory care communities often feature smaller living spaces. A memory care apartment would likely consist of a bedroom with extra space for a recliner, a dresser, and a bed, along with a private bathroom.
Memory care communities offer smaller living spaces for good reason, as the concept is to make the entire community feel like a home. People with dementia often have the desire to walk and wander, and using the full community as their home ensures they have plenty of places to explore and interact within. They can go into their bedrooms whenever they want, but they are also welcome to use shared spaces throughout the community, such as living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, libraries, art workshops, and more.
Secured entrances
Assisted living and independent living communities typically secure their front doors only in the evening and overnight hours. Residents can check in and out of the community when they want.
For those with dementia, leaving a memory care community unattended and without the proper supervision can be quite dangerous. Dementia brings many side effects, including wandering or walking without a purpose or destination. This type of behavior can be dangerous, as seniors can wander outside of their homes and become lost or injured.
Secured entrances and exits eliminate this danger. Memory care communities have secured exits that operate around the clock. They are often alarmed. Guests and staff members can open the doors leading out and are told not to let a resident accompany them outside the secured doors unless they have been checked out at the nursing station. Outdoor spaces are also secured, allowing residents to spend time outdoors while remaining safe.
Facility design and layout
While most senior living communities have safety features to ensure the well-being of their residents, memory care facilities often have many additional design features that specifically benefit people with dementia.
Some of these features may include:
- An intuitive layout so residents can easily navigate the community.
- Signage and color-coding to help orient residents, with camouflaging of certain doors to keep them from areas they should avoid.
- Calming, neutral color schemes, using high-contrast schemes only to accent important areas.
- Large windows, allowing for lots of natural light, which can help with sundowning.
- Paths with no dead ends, allowing for wandering without becoming frustrated.
- Appropriate lighting that can be adjusted at different times of the day.
These features help to address and mitigate certain behaviors that are common with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Staff trained in memory care practices
Assisted living and independent living team members are all trained on community protocol and policies upon hire as well as throughout their tenure. However, memory care team members attend additional training specifically about the progression of dementia and best practices for the care of people with dementia, including how to manage behavioral challenges like aggression and anxiety. Most of these additional training requirements vary by state.
Having a team that has been trained on dementia can help ensure better care as well as more personalized interventions. There is always something new to learn about dementia and how to create calm interactions amid the confusion and behavioral changes that come with the condition.
Daily routines with memory care-specific activities
Residents in assisted living and independent living communities may have daily routines, such as specific mealtimes and wake-up times, as well as events and activities calendars. Memory care communities have these markers during the day, but they also have a more structured routine to build a rhythm for the day that provides comfort to residents by giving them the opportunity to know what comes next.
It is common to see a memory care calendar full of similar events at similar times of the day. For example, you might see a breakfast club chat every morning before breakfast is served or a wind-down club around bedtime. This type of scheduling allows the staff to establish meeting times that feel natural and comfortable for residents.
Memory care communities also offer programming designed specifically for people with dementia. Such programming may include games, puzzles, gardening, and other activities that help promote cognitive function. There may be fitness classes to promote physical well-being, which also benefits cognitive health. There may also be different therapies available that help residents with dementia, such as music, art, light, and reminiscence therapy. Many communities personalize activities according to residents’ preferences.
Final thoughts on memory care features
Memory care communities are unique and designed to ensure residents are as comfortable and peaceful as possible. As you tour communities, whether specifically for memory care or not, remember to ask questions about features or amenities you don’t understand. You will find that some of those features can play an important part in the lives of the residents who live there.
Choosing the right community can be tough. Understanding the nuanced aspects of these types of facilities can be even more of a challenge. Talking with a local senior living advisor can be a great help to get expert insights from a person with experience helping families make the choice that best suits their needs.
