Questions to Ask Assisted Living about Memory Care and Alzheimer’s

January 27, 2016 by ·

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL

When somebody has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, they will eventually experience a number of memory related problems as the disease progresses. Memory lossAssisted-Living-in-Satsuma-AL is one of the most significant symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Over time, long-term care options need to be discussed. One of those options is assisted living.  Not every assisted living facility is going to be able to accommodate individuals who have advanced memory loss. Memory care assisted living should be provided as a staple of the facility and should not be an afterthought. That’s because there are a number of benefits involved in memory care activities.

What are memory care activities?

Exercising the brain is incredibly important for people of all ages, including those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. The brain is a muscle, and just like any other muscle in the body, it requires exercise to stay in peak condition. Even though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and there’s no way to reverse memory loss or prevent it from occurring, with the right mental stimulation (the right mental exercise and other activities), an individual can actually delay the onset of more serious aspects of memory loss.

What can an assisted living facility provide?

It all depends on the facility itself. Every assisted living community is different, so it’s important to contact whichever facilities may seem ideal for you or an elderly loved one. For those that provide some type of memory care, they often provide reminder support mechanisms for eating, taking medications, and taking part in activities the senior may enjoy.

They may also provide direct one-on-one or group activities that encourage strategic thinking, learning new activities, and more. The more exposure people get to new activities, the more they have to focus and concentrate in order to learn, the more it’s going to help their mental health over the long term aspect of the disease.

When you’re looking into assisted living for a loved one who has been diagnosed with some memory related condition, here are a couple of quick questions to ask of the facility.

  • Are you a memory care facility?
  • What type of memory related activities do you offer?
  • What types of support systems do you have in place for somebody diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?
  • How many residents currently living at your facility have been diagnosed with some memory related condition?

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Satsuma, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

 

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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