What is Memory Care

Memory Care is a unique subset of Assisted Living with smaller staff-to-resident ratios. Communities offer help with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, grooming, eating and more; they also feature enhanced safety and a lifestyle intended to keep residents happy while providing them with the highest possible quality of life.

Memory Care Services

The amount and type of care needed depends on each person and the stage of their dementia. In the early stages, some people can still live somewhat independently in a Memory Care-Assisted Living hybrid situation. During the middle stages, round-the-clock supervision becomes necessary. And in the final stages, care may need to become more intensive. Some examples of the services and amenities offered in Memory Care include:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and other personal care tasks

• Emergency monitoring and care

• Interior and exterior maintenance and housekeeping

• Care planning and coordination

• Three nutritious, chef-prepared meals daily with flexible dining options

• On-site activity programming specific to residents living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias

• Complimentary scheduled transportation

• Community spaces for hosting parties, lifelong learning, and private events

• Screened-in porch

• Secured outdoor courtyards with walking paths

• Sensory room

Benefits of Memory Care

Receiving specialized care in an environment designed for those with memory loss can help people with dementia live fuller lives. Some of the main benefits of Memory Care  include:

• Knowledgeable staff: Memory Care caregivers undergo extra training to help them meet the unique needs — including mood disorders, aggression and rapid mood swings  — of those living with dementia.

• Enhanced safety: Memory Care communities are designed to feel like home while offering enhanced safety features like community-wide emergency alert systems and 24-hour security. This helps prevent wandering while also encouraging safe outdoor activities.

• Collaborative care: Seniors dealing with memory loss need special care and their needs can change rapidly. Family members of Memory Care residents work with community staff to develop and continually update their loved ones’ care plans.

• Specialized activity calendar: Different programs and activities — including gardening, cooking, crafting, or attending certain events — can help target specific conditions and promote brain health. 

• Medication reminders: Forgetting appointments and medications can be dangerous for seniors. Staff can help with scheduling and coordinating appointments, as well as with medication management. 

• Personalized menus: Meals can combine foods known to supplement brain health with items that your loved one enjoys so they can get the necessary nutrients.

• Social opportunities: Living in a community full of people of similar ages allows for meaningful interactions — especially during activities and meals — where your loved one can share their experiences.

When Is It Time for Memory Care?

It can be challenging to know when it’s time for Memory Care. Many family caregivers provide unpaid care during the early stages of dementia, but as symptoms progress, it’s often time to consider a move to a Memory Care community. To help you decide, here are some questions to consider:

• Is it safe for my loved one to continue living in their current environment or is full-time supervision necessary?

• Does my loved one need assistance with most or all activities of daily living? 

• Could my family member’s behavior cause harm to themselves or others?

• What does my loved one want, need and say about the situation?

• Are there resources and support systems that can help my loved one "age in place," or would a move to a community provide better care and protection?

Explore Your Options at Riverside Senior Life

Learn more about Riverside’s Memory Care communities at Bourbonnais Grove in Bourbonnais and Westwood in Kankakee to see the difference we can make in the life of your loved one.