Finding the Right Memory Care Community
When an older adult is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, his or her family and friends are affected, too. There are lots of important and sometimes difficult decisions to make about daily living and long-term care. And when it’s time to consider a residential community, the value of that decision becomes even more amplified because no two memory care communities are the same.
So, how do you make the right decision?
How to Choose a Memory Care Community in 3 Steps
Step 1: Assess the Need
Does your loved one require around-the-clock supervision? What kind of assistance is needed: help with mobility? meals? hygiene? Are cognitive disease-causing aggression or other behavioral issues needing to be carefully managed? What health care support services are needed? What help is needed beyond just nursing home care?
Step 2: Assess the Community
Visit residential communities that specialize in dementia care. Take notes. As you tour the grounds, what do you notice about the residents and staff? What’s the mood? Do you see evidence of care with dignity and respect?
What are residential rooms like, and how are they laid out? What are the dining rooms like? What options exist for socializing, pursuing hobbies, and engaging with memory care specialists? Does the community appear safe and clean? What philosophy does the community’s administration and staff use to engage with residents and their families?
Step 3: Assessment Checklist
To help you get the most out of your visit to residential communities, we offer the following checklist. Use it to get the most out of your visit and then again to compare one community to another as you make your decision.
Location
- Is the community close enough to you to allow for easy visits?
- Is the surrounding area safe and free of crime?
- Is the community located near medical facilities?
- Is there a waiting list for this location?
Environment
- Do the grounds offer a sense of intimacy and serenity?
- Is the community well-maintained?
- What interior and exterior amenities are available?
- Are personal apartments private and inviting, offering plenty of natural light?
- Are the bathrooms easily accessible and equipped with safety features?
- Are outdoor areas secure?
- Are interior doors locked, and is a system in place to alert staff if a resident wanders?
- Are smoke detectors and a sprinkler system in place?
- Is there a 24-hour emergency response system?
Enrichment
- Does the activities program support those with memory loss and/or cognitive impairment?
- Are activities personalized to fit residents’ interests and needs?
- How many different kinds of activities are available, and when are they available?
- Do staff members assist with and participate in activities?
- What therapy services are offered?
- Does each resident get a personalized care plan?
- What level of care options does the community provide?
- Can the community accommodate residents’ changing care needs as the disease progresses?
Staff
- Does the medical care team include geriatric physicians, therapists, social workers, nurses, and other disciplines, all available onsite?
- How is staff training in this type of specialized care different from that of assisted living communities?
- Are team members trained and qualified to care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia?
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
- Are background checks completed for all staffing and health care providers?
- Do caregivers interact with residents in positive, respectful ways?
- Do health care providers regularly check and assess residents’ mental health?
- How do team members communicate with family members and other visitors?
Dining services
- What are the mealtimes?
- Are meals prepared for each resident’s needs?
- Are finger foods served for residents who have difficulty using utensils?
- Are staff members available to assist during dining?
- Are healthy ingredients used in meal preparation?
- Do the chefs regularly include input from residents and their families in menu creation?
Additional services
- Does the community include a salon or barber?
- Is transportation available for doctor visits, shopping, and planned outings?
- Are moving services available?
- What other services are available?
- Are skilled nursing care services available?
- Are support groups available for family members?
Management and fees
- Who owns and manages the memory care unit?
- Are the owners and/or administrators available to answer questions and address concerns?
- What is included in the daily room rate/pricing?
- What entrance fees, deposits, and rate increases will the community assess?
- What forms of payment do you accept? (private pay only, Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, veterans’ benefits, etc.)
Your Visit to Parc Provence
We hope you will consider Parc Provence as you make your decision about memory care living options. We’d like you to meet our staff in person and tour our apartments. And we’re ready to answer your questions about quality of life here at our community so that you can have peace of mind. We know how important this decision is.
Since 2004, Parc Provence has been a leader in residential memory care. Our person-centered dementia program has earned the highest credentials, as have our team members. In fact, we are pioneers in caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. And we are proud to serve families from across the United States.
