Many people loose some of their memory as they age- this is a normal process. Memory loss becomes severe however, when people suffer from various forms of dementia. Severe memory loss, like what is seen in Alzheimer’s, means that people begin to not recognize the people they love and loose their memories. These types of neurological conditions require the help of experts to ensure that the person who is suffering from them is taken care of.

Memory care is a specialized service offered at many senior living centers for people who suffer from various forms of dementia. This type of care is very different then what is offered to others living in assisted living facilities. The goal of memory care is to help people who are truly unable to help themselves and could even pose a danger to themselves if they do not have the help they need to navigate their daily lives. Here are some of the unique things that is important to note about memory care.

• Patients who need memory care are often in their own section or wing of the facility. While other patients in an assisted living facility will have the freedom to schedule their days, prepare their meals, and wander freely through the grounds, memory care patients will have to have more structure and more boundaries. This is why there is often a special location for these patients. They need more monitoring, more help with daily tasks, and more of a structured daily schedule.
• More staff members are required: When someone needs memory care, they will likely spend a lot more time with staff members then others in assisted living situations. Memory care requires a larger number of experienced staff members to give proper care to all the patients.
• 24-hour supervision will be provided: While people in assisted living situations do not necessarily need 24 hour supervision, memory care patients often do. There will always be staff members on duty and they will check in on patients as needed to make sure everyone is OK.
• Daily meals will be provided: There may be some limited options available for people to feed themselves, but for the most part, all daily meals will be provided on a set schedule. This doesn’t mean that people will not have a variety of foods- diet is important in memory care so people will eat healthy and hearty meals.
• Social activities will be scheduled: Being social is such an important thing as people age. Engaging in conversations, light exercise, and other activities can help people with memory problems as it helps to keep their mind sharp.

While assisted living situations try to offer as many freedoms as possible to create a sense of normalcy for residents, memory care is much more like a care center. People who need memory care are there because they need medical help and regular supervision. While it may not sound appealing to put someone you love into a memory care facility, it is often what is best for them and for you knowing that they are being well looked out for. To learn more about memory care, contact MorningStar Senior Living today.