When it is time for your loved one to enter a memory care facility, you want to be sure you are choosing the right one for your family. A memory care facility is often an ideal setting for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients because it offers the level of care they need as their condition progresses to keep them safe. As we explore the benefits of memory care facilities near Seattle and surrounding areas, as well as in Corvallis, Oregon, we’ll also share some things you’ll want to look for to ensure your loved one receives the care they need.
Things to Look for in Memory Care Facilities near Seattle
As you decide which memory care facility is best for your loved one, here are some things to look for:
Knowledgeable and Well-Trained Staff
The staff at any memory care facility needs to be well-trained to deal with people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. People with these conditions may be prone to wandering or may become confused, agitated, or aggressive. Staff that have experience dealing with these types of patients will be better suited for your loved one. Not all trained medical staff have the necessary expertise to deal with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Ask how often training is updated and if the staff knows any new interventions or treatment options. Staff who participate in ongoing professional training are people you’ll want on your loved one’s care team.
Ample Staff
Look for a facility with enough staff to watch over their patients. Ask about the staff-to-patient ratio and how many staff are on hand throughout the day and night. You want to be sure that someone is always around if your loved one needs help.
Engaging Activities
Any memory care facility should provide engaging activities for its residents. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or dementia, research shows that exercise can slow the progression of dementia.[1]
- Look for facilities that offer some type of appropriate exercise.
- Ask to look at the programming calendar as you consider different options.
- Make sure there is not only some type of exercise offered but also other activities that your loved one will enjoy.
- Activity calendars should provide various opportunities to keep residents active, help to keep them social, and offer therapeutic benefits.
Safe and Easy to Navigate
The safety of your loved one is of the utmost importance. Besides keeping them from wandering out of the facility, you’ll also want to ensure the facility is easy for them to get around. Ask about security to keep them in, but also look at safety features within the building when you tour the facility. All facilities will be handicapped accessible and should have things like handlebars in the hallways and ramps to make getting around easier.
Benefits of Memory Care Facilities
Families turn to memory care facilities because they provide benefits that their loved ones won’t necessarily receive if they were home alone. These include:
Help with Medications and Mobility
If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, they may forget to take their medication. The staff at a memory care facility will help ensure they take their medicine when they should and at the correct dosages.
The staff at a memory care facility will also help your loved one get around if they’ve become immobile. If your loved one is beginning to experience problems with mobility, ask if they have physical and occupational therapists available to help with keeping as much mobility as possible.
Physical Safety
As you explore memory care facilities near Seattle or Corvallis, Oregon, you’ll notice that there are team members around to ensure that residents don’t get lost. Wandering outside is common for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, leading to dangerous situations. There are safeguards in place to prevent this from happening.
Personalized Care
Since memory care facilities deal exclusively with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, they will receive care specific to those needs. Caregivers will get to know patients and work with them daily to develop personalized care programs to suit their stage of the disease.
Memory Care Facilities at Encore Communities
Encore Communities offers memory care facilities near the Seattle area for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. We pride ourselves on offering residents a sense of structure and familiarity and an active programming schedule. Our comfortable environment helps our patients thrive in our care.
Our memory care facilities include The Ridge in Silverdale, Regent Court in Corvallis, Oregon, and the Laurel Cove Community in Shoreline. Each facility offers trained staff equipped to deal with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, as well as nutritious meals and a safe environment. We strive to provide residents with appropriate independence while meeting their needs.
Contact us today for more information on our memory care facilities and to schedule a tour. We are confident you will find what you need to suit your loved one’s needs.
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Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.