When it comes time to pick the care for your aging loved one, which is the best care available? Is memory care appropriate, or will they be better off in an assisted living facility?
The truth is that neither one is automatically ‘better’ than the other. Rather, they are both care that is appropriate for a different kind of person.
Who Is Memory Care Best For?
Memory care is a type of care that is appropriate for those who have memory issues. This includes those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s, or almost any kind of dementia that impacts the memory.
Memory care is special, in that the idea behind it is not only to take care of those with diseases that impact their memory, but also to keep them in a low-stress environment. Memory issues impact everyone differently, but there is something common with all those who suffer from these afflictions; the issues with their memory stress them out. This manifests in various ways, from the aging loved one becoming withdrawn to them lashing out in anger. These responses are just natural, and working through them is important. So, if your loved one is suffering from diseases that impact the memory, memory care is the best care that they can receive.
Who Is Assisted Care Living Best For?
Assisted care living is care that assists the client in living their day-to-day lives. Clients find themselves needing assisted care living for all sorts of reasons. Some of them are more active than others; for example, some are mobile and can walk without too much issue, and the only kind of assistance these people require is a meal on a schedule and reminders to take their medicine at the appropriate times of day. For these high-functioning seniors, they simply need someone to make sure that they don’t hurt themselves.
On the other hand, some people need to have much more intense care. They may be in the final years of their lives, and it may be hard for them to do everything from dressing for the day to washing properly. For these clients, intensive care may be just what the doctor orders.
Assisted care living is good for anyone who can’t take care of themselves entirely. That doesn’t mean that all people in assisted care living need constant supervision.
What kind of care your family member needs is something you must discuss with the assisted living community that you are looking to leave your relative in the care of. Being upfront with the issues your aging loved one is facing is the best way to make sure they get the appropriate care.