Demystifying Memory Care: Finding the Best Community for Family Members with Dementia

From the emotional strains to the daily practical complexities of providing care, the condition takes its toll on both the individual living with dementia and the family members who care for them. As the symptoms of dementia progress, it may become impossible for the affected person to live on their own, and they may require a more constant level of care than family can regularly provide. Eventually, you may want to consider a memory care community as the safest and most beneficial option for your family.

When the time comes to seek out dedicated residential care, you’ll want to make sure you have a clear understanding of the difference between assisted living and memory care, as well as how to identify what the best memory care communities provide for residents and their family members.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions, to a degree that interferes with doing everyday activities. It’s not a part of the normal aging process, and it’s much more debilitating than the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that often accompanies getting older. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are others, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, each with its own set of symptoms and progression patterns.

If you have a family member living with dementia, you’re not alone – by the year 2050, 20% of Americans will be 65 or older, and one in seven older adults will have some form of dementia. The size of the baby boomer population living with dementia has led to an increase in demand for memory care services.

Given the range of options available, it’s important to understand what services a top-tier memory care community should provide, so you can make an informed choice about the type of care your family member requires.

What is memory care?

Memory care is a specialized type of long-term residential care for older adults facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. A memory care community provides a secure and supportive environment designed to mitigate the distress and disorientation that often accompanies dementia and memory loss.

The level of personalized care and attention each resident receives goes well beyond what is offered at most assisted living communities, with a staff trained to cater to the unique needs of individuals who need memory care. And residents’ daily schedules are carefully crafted to give them a sense of structure and familiarity.

In addition to these basic features, the top-rated memory care facilities will offer upscale living spaces, better amenities, and more opportunities for social engagement. They will also work with nonprofit organizations and medical experts to make sure their level of care is informed by the latest research. The goal is not simply to “manage” the challenges faced by residents living with dementia but to provide them with the highest quality of life possible despite these challenges.

When exploring the best Alzheimer’s and dementia care options for your family member, you’ll want to consider four essential aspects: living space, staff, programs, and partnerships.

Living space – the memory care neighborhood

A memory care neighborhood is a living area located within an assisted living community that has been custom built for the security and well-being of seniors living with dementia. These dedicated spaces are designed to meet all the needs of residents – from dining and social events to fitness classes and entertainment – in a secure, structured environment.

Carefully selected artwork and décor feature local landmarks and nostalgic views to help residents feel at home, and the patterns and colors for floors, walls, and furniture are specially chosen to make it easier for residents to find their way around. Individualized memory boxes featuring photos and other personal effects adorn the door of each resident’s room to allow for easier recognition and moments of recall.

Memory care neighborhoods engage and stimulate residents on many sensory levels. Abundant natural light fills the indoor spaces during the day, and lighting systems are designed to help mitigate the effect dementia can have on circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.

Aquarium tanks full of colorful fish can be found in common areas, as researchers have found they have a calming effect on some of the more disruptive behaviors brought on by dementia. Dining areas feature brightly colored place settings to help keep residents’ attention focused on eating, while the aroma of food being prepared in the kitchen activates their appetite.

Since these memory care neighborhoods exist within assisted living communities, residents often have the opportunity to enjoy many of the same services, amenities, and excursions offered by the larger community, as long as they are escorted by staff or family members.

Staff – highly trained personnel who care

Memory care communities are staffed by professionals specially trained in caring for older adults with dementia. To ensure the highest possible quality of life, staff members should aim to do things with residents as opposed to for residents whenever possible.

“I want to give my families peace of mind knowing that their family member is receiving the best care – that’s my calling,” says Christina Gonzalez, Director of Memory Care at Coterie Cathedral Hill. “I feel honored that they trust me to make sure their family member is happy and cared for while they go through this difficult journey.”

A quality memory care community will require its staff to complete essential training programs upon hire; staff should also take part in continuous learning sessions on an annual basis. Training programs should focus on techniques to support, reassure, and communicate with residents, with special strategies to mitigate difficult behaviors.

For example, staff members should be prepared to help residents affected by “sundowning,” a common complication of dementia occurring in the afternoon and evening that can manifest as confusion, anxiety, aggression, and aimless wandering. Memory care staff are trained to calm residents by redirecting their attention to favorite objects, activities, or memories.

Ideally, the staff should also be available to offer emotional support to a resident’s friends and family. Staff members should be in touch with residents’ family members at least once a week to provide updates on their progress. This not only gives families greater peace of mind, but it can also help foster moments of connection. If a resident has shown considerable interest in an activity, for example, family members can bring it up during their next visit to better facilitate communication.

Programs – keeping residents active and engaged

Because structure and engagement are so vital to the health of memory care residents, memory care communities should thoughtfully plan out their daily and weekly routines.

“We set our residents up for success in memory care by meeting them where they are in their journey and creating a personalized plan for each individual at every level,” Gonzales says. “Over the years I have found that socialization, staying active, music therapy, friendship, art, meditation, and pet therapy keep our residents happy and active, and that gives them a better quality of life.”

When a new resident moves into a memory care community, the staff should take time to learn about their interests – seniors with dementia do best when their daily routines are structured around activities and events that keep them engaged. A resident whose interests lie primarily in science and nature might have a segment of their day dedicated to watching a wildlife documentary while a resident who enjoys making art would have the opportunity to paint with watercolors.

Programs should also emphasize music and physical exercise. Music appreciation is one of the last abilities to be affected by dementia, so there should be at least one hour of music-themed events offered every day. There’s a strong correlation between regular exercise and slowing mental decline, so daily exercise sessions involving walking, stretching, restorative yoga, light dancing, and lifting light weights are also important.

To help friends and family members stay connected and involved with residents’ lives, most quality memory care communities now have smartphone apps that keep track of what activities, meals, and events residents have scheduled throughout the day.

Innovative partnerships with dementia specialists

The best memory care communities strive to keep getting better, often by collaborating with partners whose expertise enhances the quality of life of residents. Coterie Luxury Senior Living has made these collaborations central to their approach to memory care.

Coterie works closely with CaringKind, New York’s leading nonprofit in dementia care, to develop best practice techniques based on the latest dementia and Alzheimer’s research. CaringKind trains Coterie staff in the use of “dementia foundations” modules, which emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual’s dementia experience. CaringKind also assists with dementia assessments and offers coaching sessions for family members.

For meals, every recipe offered on the Coterie menu has been developed by Executive Chef Chad Welch and reviewed by the Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Living Program to tailor meals to memory care residents, with ingredients selected to optimize cognitive nutrition.

“Not only do we have access to the full library of Mayo Clinic recipes, but as I’m creating a menu, I send ideas to Mayo’s Wellness Chef, Jen Welper,” Welch says. “She’ll have suggestions, like using a different cooking oil or adding walnuts, which are high in antioxidants, to a salad. Working in conjunction results in menus that are fresh and highly nutritious.”

Making the best choice for your family

Caring for a spouse or family member with dementia can be demanding and complicated. When the time comes to take the next step in their care, you’ll want to find a community that prioritizes their safety and values their well-being as much as you do. By carefully considering your family member’s needs and evaluating what kind of memory care community is right for them, you can help ensure they receive the highest level of care and quality of living possible.

Coterie operates a portfolio of luxury senior living communities spanning the East and West Coasts. Please note that the services, partnerships, and amenities mentioned in this article may vary by location.