Tips For Selecting A Memory Care Facility
Each memory care community is unique. The employees, location, services offered, building structure and day to day operations will look different depending on where you are. Your job is to find the facility that best matches your loved ones needs. Just like your loved one is unique, so should their care be. The first steps in finding the right place for them is to really evaluate what their needs are. You can begin by asking the following questions to solidify a clear outline of their individualized needs.
Selecting A Memory Care Community
Below are some questions to ask yourself.
- What behavior tendencies does my loved one have?
- Does my loved one wander, get lost, or seek exits frequently?
- Does my loved one need help eating or drinking?
- What is my loved one’s level of mobility?
- Does my loved one use a wheelchair, cane or walker?
- Does my loved one experience accidents or need help toileting?
- How much supervision does my loved one need?
- What level of medical care/attention does my loved one need or currently have?
Questions To Ask Memory Care Community
The following questions can give you a better idea of the qualifications of the staff. These questions can help you gauge their knowledge and expertise:
- Is your facility and staff accredited?
- Is training ongoing for staff? How many hours of training do they receive?
- Are any staff members certified dementia care managers (CDCMs)?
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
- What is the staffing ratio during the day and at night?
- Does each resident have an individual care plan? If so, how is this determined?
- Are residents grouped by cognitive level?
- Can you care for wheelchair-bound or bedridden residents?
- Are you able to care for residents who are physically aggressive or those who exhibit disruptive behaviors?
- Can outside or visiting care be arranged? If so, who coordinates the care?
Safety At Memory Care Community
Each memory care facility will have different safety features and technology. These questions are especially critical to the well-being of your loved one:
- How is the community secured? Are the buildings and ground secured?
- Is a nurse on duty 24 hours per day? If not, how many hours is a nurse on duty, and what are those hours?
- What medical services are available?
- Is there a visiting physician? Is it easy to seek medical help if needed?
- Are there emergency alert systems, enclosed courtyards, or color-coded hallways to reduce anxiety and assist with navigation?
Memory Care Cost and Community Policies
Inquire about what you’re paying for, what happens in the event of an emergency and other important policies:
- Is there a thorough assessment of the applicant before admission?
- What types of care are not provided? How are residents transitioned from memory care to skilled nursing?
- How often do you update families about the resident’s well-being?
- What is the policy or procedure for handling a medical emergency?
- What is the cost structure? Is there one flat fee, or separate fees for housing and care? Are there any additional fees?
- What is the discharge policy?
Memory Care Amenities and Features
Many memory care communities offer a plethora of amenities, so it’s important to decide what your loved one could benefit from the most:
- What are the living arrangements? Memory care cottages? Neighborhood style?
- Do they have a special memory care dining program? How is food served? Are escorts to meals available?
- Do they have walking paths or circular paths for residents?
- Are concierge services available?
- Are there any fitness or wellness programs offered?
- How many meals or snacks are provided?
- What amenities or features separate you from other memory care facilities?
Clearly, there are a lot of factors that come in to play when deciding where your loved one should go for memory care. There are many things to consider. Orchard at Brookhaven is happy to answer any and all the questions you may have. Please contact us today so we can help!
