Not many states in the US have specific laws about the amount of staff per resident in assisted living communities. In Iowa, a community is required to have enough staff for the needs of the residents. That means one person per 25 residents during the day and one per 45 at night.
Those ratios change in memory care, where residents need much more help and supervision. It's important to find a community that staffs personnel with the right experience and training.
These are just some of the benefits of specialized staff for memory care activities.
When your loved one moves into a memory care program, they get access to specialized care made specifically for their situation. These programs are designed to focus on elderly brain health and incorporate certain therapies.
The main goal is to provide an environment in which residents can thrive and potentially improve. At the very least, they can receive more relevant care than they might at a nursing home or an assisted living community.
In an assisted living community, residents receive tailored personal care. However, memory care has staff specialized in treating residents with dementia.
Exercises can include problem-solving games, music therapy, and even language lessons. They're all customized for each individual's needs based on the progression of their illness.
The cornerstone of senior memory care lies in offering cognitive health activities. These activities should target memory enhancement and cover all brain functions.
Part of maintaining a healthy brain is keeping your mind engaged.
Some of the cognitive activities for residents include:
Specialized staff understands the importance of rotating through these activities to keep the brain active. Doing so can slow down the progression of memory loss and improve each resident's quality of life.
Dementia is a progressive disorder that causes a gradual decline in cognitive abilities. As you may know, it's incurable, and there is no way to stop the decline completely. However, there are some proven methods to slow the progression of the disease so seniors can experience less stress in their everyday lives.
Specialized staff are trained to guide residents through elderly brain exercises and other activities. Seniors with dementia are easily frustrated, and family members often don't know how to address that frustration.
In addition, memory care staff know how to use therapeutic techniques like reminiscence therapy. This type of therapy encourages seniors to recall and share memories from their past. It enhances memory recall and promotes emotional comfort.
Although they won't be able to reverse your loved one's condition, they can potentially slow it down and give you more time with them.
Residents in memory care very rarely come with only dementia. They may bring several different health issues along with them ranging from cardiovascular to mobility-related.
The number one mobility problem that older people encounter is falling. Falls can result in broken bones, bruising, and panic.
Seniors with memory issues may not realize that they have mobility problems and push their bodies further than they should. It's up to staff to monitor their residents and make sure they have the mobility aids they need.
Residents will also need help with basic personal care tasks such as hygiene and cooking. Personal care assistants can help them manage their homes and maintain a clean space. Seniors with dementia often forget to eat and can benefit from professional dining services.
A big part of cognitive health activities is social interaction. It's well known that social interaction is important for aging seniors because it boosts their mood and encourages quick thinking.
Specialized staff in memory care communities encourage group activities as a form of brain exercise. These activities often include group storytelling and communal games. Discussion groups provide an opportunity to use language and problem-solving skills.
More importantly, socialization helps to create a sense of community. Residents who feel depressed, anxious, or confused won't be able to give their full attention to activities. It'll only hurt their cognitive abilities.
Social interactions will slow the memory decline and improve their mood.
Both emotional and psychological support are equally important for seniors. They're key parts of making sure seniors feel safe, valued, and understood.
Specialized staff should approach each resident with empathy and patience, even when they become problematic. Seniors with these conditions aren't always in control, and staff needs to understand that.
Staff training includes techniques such as redirection, validation therapy, and non-verbal communication. They'll also want to collaborate with the resident's family members to learn more about what triggers each resident and how to approach them.
One of the main reasons families invest in memory care is for the extra safety and security it provides. Not every at-home caregiver has the capabilities or training to watch over their loved one at all times. It's not uncommon for a senior to wander off when their caregiver turns the corner or uses the restroom.
When a family invests in memory care, they get access to better care.
Memory care communities utilize secure layouts to prevent wandering. Specialized staff monitor residents at all times to prevent elopement.
Fall prevention measures keep residents from injuring themselves. Grab bars in rooms and hallways help residents steady themselves while walking. Wide hallways accommodate wheelchairs and busy traffic patterns.
If something does happen, senior care safety standards include a clear approach to emergencies.
Memory care activities are an important part of keeping seniors with dementia happy and in good health. However, they're difficult to administer at home without any training. It takes specialized staff to provide customized care for your loved ones that can help.
Addington Place of Fairfield provides first-class senior living accommodation and care services. Our services include assisted living, memory care, and more. Contact us with any questions about our community and to set up a visit.