Dealing with a memory care condition can be a challenge, for both the individual in question and their loved ones. While it may initially seem like independence is no longer an option for those with memory conditions, advances in memory care mean that is no longer true.
There are many options for independence with memory care programming. The entire construct of this approach is to help those struggling with memory conditions to gain back as much of their independence as possible while also learning new skills that help them to cope with the ways that their lives have changed. Consider these five ways that memory care via an assisted living community helps promote independence.
One of the biggest worries loved ones have about those with memory conditions is security. After all, wandering off into the world can be dangerous for many reasons. People might fear that the result is a significant loss of independence as the individual must remain indoors or be watched at all times.
Assisted living communities create secure outdoor spaces where residents with memory care issues can freely wander in areas constructed especially for this purpose. They have the independence to go where they want in these spaces, which often includes benches, courtyards and greenspaces. And their loved ones have the peace of mind of knowing that their wandering has limitations. These secured spaces have physical parameters that prevent memory care residents from wandering into any unsecure areas of the property — or even off the property.
This is the best of both worlds because memory care residents are content in knowing that they can still tailor their outdoor experiences to their own interests.
Memory care residents often want to continue doing things on their own even though it may no longer be safe for them to do so. Assisted living communities that specialize in memory care have created constructs that allow residents to take care of their living spaces in ways that promote independence while staff takes care of the heavy lifting.
Task supervision is not overbearing, but rather, promoted as offering a helping hand as needed. This helps residents to feel less agitated because they don't feel as though someone is telling them what they can and cannot do.
Memory care residents need proper nutrition and may no longer be able to cook for themselves. However, they still want the freedom to decide what they eat and when. Assisted living communities that specialize in memory care have the structure in place to ensure that residents can choose from a menu of options that are all nutritious and tasty.
Assisted living communities create opportunities for scheduled outings for memory care residents with safety parameters in place that ensure a good time to be had by all without sacrificing security.
Scheduled outings in assisted living communities might consist of things like going to the theatre, heading out on shopping excursions or visiting a local museum. Memory care residents get to participate in these trips and feel less isolated because the community has the skill and experience to ensure their safety. Being out and about has a potential added benefit of stimulating cognitive function and helping memory care residents maintain the level of function they have.
Memory care conditions may sometimes progress to the point where residents can no longer be as independent as they would like despite the best efforts of those around them. This is where an assisted living community becomes even more beneficial, because the staff has the experience necessary to help with the development of new cognitive and coping mechanisms that promote independence in other ways.
Memory care programming reinforces existing skills with games and other activities to create memory enhancement while also providing options for residents to socialize with others to reinforce social skills. This kind of programming may promote new avenues of independence for residents even if they lose independence in other ways. The trade-off may not feel as stressful if the residents in question have new ways of coping. Moreover, they may be more engaged in the community, which can help with feelings of independence.
This is one of the reasons that working with an assisted living community with memory care experience is of paramount importance in helping residents to remain as independent as possible. While loved ones may try to mimic some of this programming on their own, assisted living staff members are trained with the experience in initiating care protocols in a way that is unique to each resident. This is one of the reasons that residents in assisted living communities with memory care programming can remain independent for longer than those that may be home-bound, depending on the condition in question.
To learn more about the benefits of memory care and what Autumn View Gardens offers, visit our website or schedule a visit.
