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Do You Need Long-Term Care?
At some point in time, many older or injured loved ones will need long term care. Long-term care refers to a range of services to support persons who can no longer function independently. The US Department of Health estimates that 52% of Americans will need long-term care by age 65. Long-term care also includes services like assisted living and memory care assisted living.
Helping family members through assisted living
Assisted living supports persons in simple tasks like shopping, cleaning, bathing, cooking, and taking medication. Over 800,000 Americans use assisted living either at home, in a nursing facility, or a retirement community. Assisted living gives families peace of mind knowing that loved ones are taken care of by trained professionals.
Don’t forget about memory care.
There are individual cases where families will need advanced help. Persons living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, for instance, will need memory care assisted living. With memory care, families get the support of a trained professional to care for persons with these complications. The staff understands the needs of people with dementia. Most will provide 24-hour assistance. Memory care can happen at home, but most occur in a nursing facility. Memory care assisted living helps the loved one live a comfortable life despite the illness, so choosing the right facility is vital. Here are 4 things to consider before making a decision.
1) Can you handle someone that needs memory care?
Not all assisted care facilities can handle illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s. When looking for memory care, make sure the institution is certified to work with these patients. Ask detailed questions like:
- Do they take a holistic approach to care?
- What are the team’s background and training?
- What are the security measures in place?
- Is there any support to nurture patients, like therapy?
- What’s the staff-to-patient ratio?
2) Do a background check
Consider getting some details on the track record of the facility. Look at how long the assisted living facility has been in operation. Look for reviews online through forums, complaints, and testimonials. Go with the option that feels right.
3) What are the costs involved?
Memory care assisted living can be more expensive than traditional assisted living. Get all the cost details beforehand. There are cases where institutions add on additional costs to deal with special needs for the residents. Make sure to read the fine print. Don’t forget to ask about insurance or Medicaid. In some cases, Medicaid or insurance can cover extra support like memory care.
4) Look for the nitty-gritty details
Find out more about the day-to-day operations of the assisted living team. Get a feel for the caretaker and management style. Find out if there are customized plans to care for each loved one. If long-term care will take place at a facility, take some time to take a tour. Get a feel for the rooms, common areas, recreation, health, and safety. These steps may sound excessive but could be the difference between a fantastic and stressful experience.
Don’t leave memory care assisted living up to chance
Based on the needs of the family, memory care could be a crucial decision. Loved ones need to be in a secure yet flexible space, surrounded by qualified professionals. Do not be afraid to do in-depth research and ask hard questions. Put together a list of items and note potential red flags. Then choose a facility with a strong track record, clear guidelines, that caters to the needs of loved ones. Don’t hesitate to visit the assisted living center before making a decision.
