Memory Care and assisted living are two of the most popular senior care options. The services are similar, but it can sometimes be confusing which service is best for every individual. Let’s look at both options and discuss when it might be time to transition.
Senior living communities in League City, TX like Proveer at South Shore, provide assisted living and memory care services under one roof. If you or a loved one may soon need to make a transition, keep reading to discover your options.
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides personal care services to seniors who need a little bit of help to live independently. Licensed nurses and caretakers assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include tasks such as:
- Bathing, grooming, and dressing
- Ambulation and transferring
- Eating and nutrition
- Personal hygiene
In addition to assistance, these communities offer social and wellness programming daily. Residents eat nutritious meals in a dining room or delivered to their apartment. Community-provided transportation provides rides to appointments, outings, and errands.
Senior assisted living takes the hassles out of life and lets older adults enjoy their retirement. Services like housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance provide more time to relax. These services allow residents to avoid accidents and reduce their fall risk.
Senior apartments in these communities are usually studios, although one and two-bedroom floor plans are often available. Smaller homes provide less hassle and less worry.
There are over 1,300 assisted living facilities in the Lone Star State. Twenty-eight percent of those communities also include a dedicated dementia care unit. However, 45 percent of residents live with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
Take a look at where assisted living residents in Texas most commonly need help*:
- 66% need help with walking
- 58% need help with bathing
- 46% need help with dressing
- 37% need help with toileting
- 30% need help with bed transfer
- 18% need help with eating
*Statistics are taken from the American Health Care Association
Memory Care
Memory care, also known as Alzheimer’s care or dementia care, provides many of the same services as assisted living. However, these residents require additional support such as:
- Secure and easy to navigate environments
- Evidence-based activities
- Brain and body exercise
- Individualized projects
- Brain-healthy meals
- Hospice coordination
The 45 percent of Texas assisted living residents living with a type of dementia will eventually require 24-hour care. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and most other forms of dementia are progressive and currently do not have a cure. Long-term care in these communities is personalized to adapt to changing needs.
Some residents in the early and middle stages of dementia may continue to lead independent lives with the proper support system. Later stage residents may require health care and hospice services around the clock.
Changes in sleep patterns, sundowning, and wandering are common occurrences requiring 24-hour support and secure exits.
Activities that engage the brain and body are encouraged daily to build new neural pathways and slow memory loss. Dementia-friendly exercises, trivia, and puzzles are tools to help this process.
Memory care facility residents usually live in studios or shared suites. These living spaces allow seniors to have a place where they can be comfortable and enjoy a sense of ownership. Unlike a medical-based nursing home, residents and families can decorate these spaces just like home.
When is it time for memory care?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over six million people over 65 live with the most common form of dementia. Many seniors can live in the early stages without knowing they have Alzheimer’s.
Common warning signs of memory loss dementia include:
- Misplacing items
- Problems word finding
- Remembering new names and faces
- Trouble concentrating or focusing on tasks
It’s okay to be forgetful from time to time, but more severe problems are not a normal part of aging. Cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and many others will continue to develop throughout the brain. Loved ones will require additional care services with time.
If seniors’ needs exceed what their family caregivers or assisted living facility has, it’s time to seek memory care.
Family members are often the first support system for people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Thirty percent of family caregivers are over 65. They may or may not be in the best position to supervise and support their loved ones.
Providing social and mental stimulation can be overlooked by caretakers after preparing meals and preventing accidents. Boredom, loneliness, and depression lead to common behavior problems and mood swings in people with dementia.
Transitioning to Memory Care
Proveer at South Shore provides assisted living and memory care. League City seniors and their families find peace of mind with these services. Assisted living residents in our community can make this transition easily as their needs change. We also accept seniors new to long-term care as well.
Cherish is a signature experience for seniors living at Proveer at South Shore that supports residents under the philosophy of:
- Stay Moving
- Pursue Knowledge
- Explore Art
- Give Back
- Build Relationships
- Be Enriched
Daily activities, including physical exercise and opportunities for social interaction, are critical steps our community takes to provide purpose and enjoyment in residents’ lives. We love using gardening to keep seniors active and connected to nature. Our supervised scenic drives and outings let residents continue to explore and recall their favorite memories.
Our specialized team can adapt programming specific to the needs of your loved one. Visit us to learn more about the senior living options available for you or a relative. Let our team honor and provide for your family.
Discover Assisted Living and Memory Care Near You
Families living in League City, Texas are welcome to visit assisted living and memory care at Proveer at South Shore. Discover the support and relief your loved one deserves. Contact us to set up a personalized tour.