Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of older Americans, and as this devastating illness progresses, many families turn to assisted living facilities that specialize in memory care. When selecting assisted living in San Clemente or assisted living in Dana Point, here are a few tips that might help you find the best possible facility.
Generally, if you are at the point where you need memory care assisted living in Dana Point or San Clemente, then your loved one no longer can make decisions on his or her own. However, while you are the person tasked with making the decision, keep in mind that you need to choose a facility that will appeal to your loved one. Just be sure you are thinking about their current personality and tastes and not the way they used to be.
For instance, there are many facilities for assisted living in San Clemente and also Dana Point that offer a wide variety of activities, but these may be activities your loved one enjoyed before Alzheimer’s disease. Many facilities that specialize in memory care offer activities that often appeal to those living with dementia. Some facilities also provide counseling for their residents with dementia, as well as special curriculum designed to maintain memory and cognitive abilities for as long as possible.
Obviously, the daily activities are just one aspect to consider about memory care. Your main concern, of course, is that your parent or spouse is safe and getting the best possible care. To ensure this, there are many questions to ask the manager and staff at any home for assisted living in Dana Point or assisted living in San Clemente that you visit.
Your first questions should be in regards to the overall level of care. Typically at an assisted living community, medical care is not provided beyond medication management. Taking medicines on time and correctly can be a big challenge for those with Alzheimer’s disease, so this is a helpful service. Be sure to ask about medication management as well as the procedures in place for dealing with medical emergencies.
Also, be sure to ask about the experience of the staff, as memory care facilities should provide staff that specializes in memory care, as these residents require a different type of care than an older adult without dementia. The residents’ apartments also are set up to reduce stress and make life easier. Some communities for assisted living in Dana Point will offer private memory care apartments, others will have both private and shared rooms.
Generally, you also will find that communities for assisted living in San Clemente will provide help with grooming, dressing and bathing every day as well as offering weekly laundry and housekeeping services. Three meals per day will be provided and usually some light snacks and beverages at other times during the day. As the caregiver, make sure you understand everything that is included in the rates. Also keep in mind that the cost per month might increase as your loved one’s needs increase. In addition, if their physical health declines, you might need to look at a different option, such as a skilled nursing facility.
If you need help, give Care Placement a call today. We are a free service that offers lists of pre-screened assisted living facilities, board and care facilities and nursing homes. In addition to finding memory care facilities and assisted living in San Clemente or assisted living in Dana Point, we locate suitable assisted living homes and communities throughout Orange County and San Diego County.