How to Choose the Right Memory Care Facility for Your Loved One
Choosing to pursue dementia care for your loved one is never easy. There are many different memory care facilities that offer a variety of benefits. With that said, we invite you to keep the following tips in mind to help you choose the best dementia care for the special person in your life.
Scout Each Facility’s Website
When you begin the search for the perfect memory care facility for your loved one, the internet is the best place to start. Most, if not all, dementia care facilities have websites that offer extensive information about their communities, amenities, and services.
You know your loved one best, so look for things that will stand out to them immediately. For example, if your loved one enjoys swimming and water fitness, make sure your prospective facilities have pools for residents. If a memory care facility’s website looks promising, go ahead and schedule a tour.
Visit in Person: Take a Tour
Dementia care communities offer tours, so you can get a feel for the place your loved one may end up staying. Take advantage of that opportunity, as tours can give you a detailed look into how the facility is managed as well as its general atmosphere.
When in-person tours are not possible, some communities offer virtual tours, which allow you to scope out the facility from the comfort of your home.
Lastly, if at all possible, you should bring your loved one along for the tour. Their opinion matters most, and if they are lucid enough to chime in on each facility, let them.
Ask About Amenities
The features of any memory care facility are essential for your loved one to stay enriched and engaged throughout all stages of their life, but amenities go beyond the basics of memory care.
Some examples of memory care facility amenities include:
Indoor and outdoor pools
Recreation centers
Dining options
Outdoor trails and paths
Group sports
Arts and crafts options
Fitness and wellness centers
Enjoyable hobbies
These additional qualities of dementia care communities will ensure your loved one has a great quality of life once they move.
Transportation: Consider the Distance from Family
When selecting a memory care facility, don’t forget to take transportation into account. How will your other family members get there? Is the facility you’re focused on far from your hometown?
Of course, that last part doesn’t necessarily mean you have to choose a memory care facility that is close to the rest of your family. If you find better dementia care that happens to be farther away, it can still work out well. Just make sure you discuss the transportation options and visiting plans with the rest of the family before committing to any memory care facility.
Select the Best Possible Care for Those You Love
It’s always difficult to make decisions for your aging family members that need dementia care, but by choosing memory care, you choose to give them the best possible caregiving available. Use our tips to make the best choice for your loved one.