When Memory Care is Needed: What to Look For | Chicago Methodist Senior Services

When Memory Care Is Needed... What to Look For

When someone you love is living with memory loss, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly when memory care is needed. It’s possible for many people with memory loss to live well at home with a family caregiver for a long time. But memory care is an important tool for helping people with memory loss feel as well as possible. As a caregiver or loved one, there are some signs you should watch for to know when memory care is the right choice.

Signs it may be time for more care

Keep an eye out for the signs that your loved one could benefit from memory care. How many of the following statements apply? My loved one:

Wanders.
Forgets to take their medication.
Would benefit from set meal times and prepared meals.
Is isolated.
Is frequently anxious or disoriented.
Needs supervision throughout the day.
Is unsafe living at home due to memory loss.

If many of these statements fit your loved one’s experience, it’s a good time to consider memory care options.

When memory care is needed, should I look for assisted living or skilled nursing?

Memory care isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s important to find a community where your loved one can get the care that’s right for them. Memory care is often offered at assisted living communities and sometimes at skilled nursing communities. At Chicago Methodist Senior Services, we offer memory care in both settings, at Hartwell Place and Wesley Place. Assisted living provides help with personal care like managing medicines, dressing and bathing. Transportation is also provided. At an assisted living community, your loved one can receive assistance that fits their physical and memory care needs, while staying as independent as possible. Additionally, your loved one will have access to a wide variety of programs and opportunities to stay involved socially. If your loved one needs frequent assistance throughout the day or has more extensive medical needs, you may need to look for a skilled nursing community. In addition to the services of an assisted living community, skilled nursing provides a higher level of medical care. It’s also appropriate for people with more advanced memory loss. Whether your loved one needs assisted living or skilled nursing, you’ll want to find a community that specializes in memory loss. That way, you can be confident that they will be able to participate in programs and events. Everything from meals to the layout of the community itself will be set up with their memory care needs in mind. When memory care is needed, you should ask questions and get as much information as you can. It’s important to find a community where your loved one can feel at home, and where you feel confident they’ll receive the care they need. Would you like to learn more about memory care at Chicago Methodist Senior Services? Why not book a tour today?