Communities Offer a Safer, More Engaging Environment than in-Home Care

Perhaps the time has come when you’ve decided to look for in-home care, assisted living, or a memory care facility for your loved one. Today’s seniors have a multitude of care options available, so it can be a challenge to sort through those options and choose the one that best suits your loved one’s needs.

One of the biggest decisions to make is whether to choose an in-home care service or to relocate your loved one to an assisted living or memory care facility. Memory care needs are unique and not addressed by all home health or senior community options. And while many people’s initial reaction may be to have their loved one stay at home as long as possible, communities may offer a safer, more engaging environment for seniors than in-home care. Here are some things to consider:

Safety

As seniors with memory care need age, the homes they have lived in for years quickly become unsuitable for their new needs. Seniors diagnosed with or experiencing the symptoms of dementia may experience confusion, memory loss, and disorientation, as well as a loss of mobility and/or coordination. The average house, therefore, presents safety risks that you and your loved one may not be aware of. Rugs, flooring and elevation changes, stairs, appliances, and even cramped bathrooms can all contribute to accidents. While modifications may be made at home to alleviate some of these risks, those modifications could be expensive or impossible to implement in certain homes.

Memory care facilities, on the other hand, are designed with these unique safety needs in mind, which keeps your loved one safe and gives you peace of mind. At Quail Ridge in Bartlett, Tennessee, Seniors’ living spaces are designed with consistent flooring with no elevation changes, accessible bathroom safety features, and safety pulls cords to keep them safe and comfortable. Residents also wear location-based pendants to provide their loved ones with peace of mind. And the community grounds are also designed to be both safe and secure as well as conducive to residents living a full, engaged life. Entrances and exits are monitored, and staff is available at all times to assist your loved one.

Memory Care-Specific Programming

While it is possible to provide excellent in-home care to a memory care patient, assisted living and memory care communities offer specially designed programming to support resident’s needs. At Quail Ridge, residents can enjoy programs specifically designed to support their well-being, such as music therapy, aromatherapy, validation techniques, health and wellness activities, and life skills stations. The community also offers a calendar of wellness-related, social, and cultural events to keep residents engaged.;

Even the dining program is designed for the particular needs of memory care residents. Quail Ridge’s daily menu incorporates foods from the Rush University Medical Center MIND diet, which fosters brain health. Entrees are served on colored plates to stimulate appetite, and a server greets each resident individually with multiple daily menu choices. The MIND diet, in conjunction with the community’s many Memory Care programs, is intended to help hold off memory issues for as long as possible.

Socialization

Due to physical and mental limitations, seniors receiving at-home care may have limited contact with others, especially as it becomes difficult for them to participate in their favorite hobbies and social activities. This separation can lead to isolation, loneliness, depression, and a general decline in health. However, senior living communities are designed to provide daily activities, mental stimulation, and social contact for all residents. Community residents living with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory impairment benefit from increased socialization; they may experience improved brain health, a sense of belonging, a stronger sense of time and place, and improved focus.

At Quail Ridge, residents can reap these benefits by enjoying the company of their neighbors in the community, participating in a variety of activities and events, and inviting friends and family to visit in the community’s common spaces.

To learn more about the differences between home health care and memory care communities or to schedule a tour of Quail Ridge today, contact our friendly team.

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