Memory care residencies: an option for seniors with cognitive challenges

by Grace Eneh

Being a caregiver to your aging parents or loved ones is seen by many as a privilege that they wouldn't trade for anything in the world. You get to play the role of mouthpiece and advocate while ensuring the best possible experience and services are available to them. According to Statistics Canada, 25 percent of Canadians who are 15 years and above are caregivers to a person (usually a family member) with a chronic health condition. A substantial proportion of these individuals with chronic health conditions are older adults.

Given the increasing aging population, the number of young people saddled with the responsibility of caregiving will continue to rise. This role becomes even more crucial when the senior you are caring for has some impairments in their cognitive functioning. As much as you allow them to make decisions about their health and residence, the bulk of the decision and 'heavy lifting' still lie with you.

Dementia is an umbrella name that encompasses impairments in various cognitive domains, particularly memory, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common.

Many people would rather spend their retirement and later years in their homes, in a community where they have lived most of their lives. There is an assurance that comes with living in your home, where you have formed beautiful memories, built a community, and become deeply rooted.

Many seniors might need structural adjustments in their homes to maintain a good quality of life following retirement based on their specific health situations or mobility. For instance, smoke alarms, ramps or railings in the staircase, and light fittings might need to be installed for better visibility and fall prevention.

While this may be ideal, there are situations where home care and support are no longer sufficient to ensure a senior’s safety. In these cases, seniors and their caregivers must explore alternative living arrangements, such as a retirement or long-term care home. The following circumstances often necessitate this consideration:

Safety risk: A senior who lives alone may be considered a safety risk if they have become unable to manage the home safely with little or no assistance. For instance, seniors living alone may be exposed to fire hazards because they have memory challenges, hearing difficulty, or perceiving smells. They may be unable to perceive danger or protect themselves from it.

Memory care residencies: an option for seniors with cognitive challenges cont'd

Risk of wandering and getting lost in familiar environments: An older adult could begin to find it difficult to manage their affairs alone, as they may lose their way around the neighbourhood. For instance, they may even get lost inside the home, not recognizing the way to the bathroom or kitchen.

Physical limitations from chronic diseases or accidents: This can result from chronic disease conditions with attendant complications such as strokes, heart diseases, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, severe urinary or fecal incontinence and bone fractures following a fall.

Family challenges with managing home care: Sometimes, it becomes challenging for the caregivers in the family to manage at home due to numerous responsibilities, frequent travels, or even relocation.

The options available for senior living away from home range from retirement homes, assisted living, and senior living apartments to long-term care facilities. For seniors with cognitive impairments, care in a memory care center rather than a generic retirement residence or longterm care facility is a viable option.

Most long-term care homes provide medication management, health monitoring, meals, laundry services, and recreational activities to keep residents engaged and cared for. However, these services may not be personalized based on individual social history and capabilities.

On the other hand, memory care residencies provide specialized support for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, irrespective of the age or stage of disease progression. In addition to the services that most long-term care centers offer, memory care residencies also provide the following:

Personalized care plans to assist with daily activities:

Staff provide care in these stand-alone memory care residencies according to each resident's capabilities, family and social history, and personal needs.

Cognitive stimulation through therapy: Older people in memory care residencies are cared for by persons who are specially trained in memory care to provide recreational activities that promote cognitive stimulation. These activities are individualized and based on individual capacity, as informed by an ongoing cognitive evaluation.

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Asafeenvironmenttopreventharmwhilewandering:

The environment is safe and secure but not restrictive. Residents are not restrained; if they display behaviour that compromises their safety, they are gently persuaded or distracted by staff.Inaddition,theyavoidhavingpotentiallyharmfulobjectslyingaround. These homes focus on enhancing quality of life and maintaining safety for those with cognitive impairments.

The downside of having your loved one in this type of residence is the stigma or the fear of stigmabecausethenameoftheresidenceeasilygivesawaytheresident'sdiagnosis Secondly,theycanbequitepricey,makingitdifficulttosustainpayments.

Now that you're aware of the pros and cons of each option, the decision becomes clearer whethertochooseamemorycareresidenceoralong-termcarecenter.

Grace Eneh

Freelance Health Writer and Editor. A health professional and health writer. Grace combines her writing skills and clinical experience to deliver well-written, optimized articles for healthcare companies. Contact Grace at thegraciousdoc@gmail.com.