5 Ways Memory Care Enhances the Life of Seniors with Dementia

Dementia care has come a long way, offering multiple important benefits and advantages for those with cognitive decline, and peace of mind for families. Here are just a few of the ways this exceptional care can enhance lives.

Understanding the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia

Dementia impacts a person by causing a gradual decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills, ultimately affecting their ability to perform daily tasks and leading to changes in behavior and personality.

At-home dementia care for a loved one can be an exhausting and very difficult endeavor, especially as the disease progresses and they need 24/7 supervision. A person with worsening cognitive issues can undergo major changes in personality, including becoming agitated or even violent. They may refuse (or not be able) to eat, walk, or understand what is happening around them.

Many families struggle with how to decide what is best: trying to care for their loved one at home versus in a specialized setting. And when the issue of life expectancy in memory care comes up, there is no clear-cut answer.

You may wonder, would Mom or Dad live longer at home, or where they can receive dementia care?

Dementia progresses through three stages: early, middle and late.
The average life expectancy of a person with a diagnosis of dementia is around 3 to 10 years. Several factors can impact this, such as the type of dementia, the person’s overall health, and more.
The older someone is when diagnosed, the shorter their life expectancy.
Medications can play a role in lifespan.

It’s impossible to predict exact life expectancy, whether at home or in memory care. However, what is possible—and what you want to focus on—is not life expectancy in memory care, but quality of life. Would it be better in memory care than at home?

At home, they generally won’t have specialized care and attention, wellness programs, activities tailored to their preferences, the company of others dealing with the same struggles, and a setting that is specifically designed for their safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment.

In a memory care setting, everything is geared toward their comfort, safety, and wellbeing.

Consider these 5 ways memory care enhances the lives of seniors with dementia:

1. Keeps them safe.

If you are a family member with a loved one facing memory issues, you know how important it is to monitor their well-being every minute of the day. Memory care provides an environment that is specially designed for the safety and wellness of each resident.

Each memory care neighborhood is purposely designed to be easy to navigate, with wide walls and visual cues that help guide residents when they are up and about. There are no frustrating “dead ends” or unexpected barriers along the way. Doors are secured to ensure that no one can enter or leave without someone knowing. Outdoor gardens, also secure, offer residents an opportunity to move about as they choose and benefit from being in a natural setting.

2. Reduces frustration.

Dementia care has come a very long way over the years. The goal is to create a calm, familiar and stimulating environment that eases daily life for residents. Colors are soothing, and there is little clutter. Soft lighting also helps reduce anxiety. And it’s more than just the ambiance.

In dementia care, trained caregivers know how to identify triggers in the moment that can spark frustration, and how to effectively deflect them. It’s having a keen understanding of body language and voice and knowing how to listen and validate a person’s feelings.

3. Makes dining a pleasure again.

Cognitive impairment can result in a loss of independence when it comes to the dining experience. And that can lead to poor nutrition and lack of interest in eating. In dementia care, attention is paid it creating a dining program that encourages independence. This can include more choices, adaptive utensils, or bite-sized pieces.

Memory care residents who are able can help set a table and interact with others. Pleasing aromas from the kitchen can stimulate an appetite and bring back a cherished memory.

The memory care dining staff is also mindful of how the appearance of the table can affect a resident. For example, choosing plateware that avoids patterns. Selecting bright, solid colors instead. And quite often, having one staff member dine at a table of residents, reinforcing a familiar feeling of family while encouraging eating.

4. Personalized care soothes, honors, and engages.

Every person deserves to live a life of dignity and fulfillment, and that includes those with memory issues. In a memory care setting, your loved one will benefit from professional caregivers who get to know them, their life history, their preferences, and how to engage them in a familiar and meaningful way. This means meeting each resident where they are, protecting their dignity and respecting them as a unique person.

Examples are tailoring activities to their preferences. Knowing how to redirect behavior during tough moments. Recognizing early signs of agitation and responding with intention and support. Simply put, meeting them where they are, and seeing them for who they still are.

5. Provides social opportunities.

In memory care, individuals are spending time with others who share similar struggles and understand the frustrations and ups and downs of dementia. It’s an environment of acceptance and understanding, while also offering the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of spending time around others.

Dementia care residents gain a sense of belonging by being around others. It lifts their mood and can even help slow cognitive decline.

At The Carriages, we understand how the journey of dementia can impact both your loved one and your family.

We’d like to tell you more about how our INSPYRE Memory Care Program can offer support, connection, and peace of mind. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

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