Selecting a memory care facility for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is a significant decision. Memory care facilities are specifically designed to provide a secure and supportive environment for individuals with cognitive impairments. Here are several key factors in what to look for in a memory care facility in Allentown.
Specialized staff training
Ensure that staff members are specifically trained in dementia care and inquire about ongoing training programs. Look for memory care facilities that prioritize staying updated on the latest techniques and best practices for managing memory-related conditions.
Caring for individuals living with dementia takes special people who are trained in special skills. At Country Meadows, co-workers receive training to understand the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, how dementia affects communication, how to successfully provide activities of daily living with empathy and respect, understanding the importance of activities in a resident’s day and many other areas, including caregiver stress and family support.
Secure environment
If your loved one is prone to wandering, ask about security features to prevent an individual from getting lost. Memory care facilities provide a secure, controlled environment that is specifically designed to minimize safety risks for residents with memory challenges. Check for items such as secure entrances, alarmed exits and monitoring devices. To ensure residents can enjoy the outdoors, ask about security features to protect residents when exiting and entering the building to secured garden areas and walking paths.
Personalized care plans
A personalized care plan is a comprehensive document that outlines specific needs, preferences and goals of an individual with memory-related challenges such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It serves as a roadmap for the care team providing guidance on how to best support the resident’s overall well-being. Care plans are regularly updated to reflect changes in the resident’s condition and requirements.
Staff-to-Resident ratio
When touring facilities, look for information on each location’s staff-to-resident ratio to ensure that residents receive adequate attention and care. A higher staff ratio is often beneficial for residents with dementia who may require more personalized assistance and care.
Cognitive stimulation programs
Cognitive stimulation programs play a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Ask about the availability of cognitive stimulation programs designed to engage residents and maintain cognitive function. Activities should be varied and cater to different interests and abilities.
Country Meadows’ Allentown campus uses the innovative Tover Table to encourage connections with residents and their families. It is an interactive game console projecting dynamic images onto a table or floor for participants to touch. Benefits to residents include increased alertness and focus and reduction in restless behaviors. Use of the Tover Tabel promotes social and physical activity, too. Click here to watch a video of our Allentown residents enjoying the Tover Table.
Music is another proven way to connect people to a particular moment in their life. At Country Meadows, specially trained co-workers use music’s therapeutic benefits to ease anxiety, irritation and demeanor. Working with individual families, staff members identify each resident’s musical preferences and develop a personal playlist to use when a calming influence is necessary.
Structured routine
A structured daily routine can be comforting for individuals with dementia. When researching memory care facilities, ask about each facility’s daily schedules and routines, including activities and mealtimes. Regular daily events can help residents feel more secure.
Medication management
Confirm each facility’s approach to medication management including how medications are administered and monitored. Look for protocols for addressing changes in individual resident medication needs and checks on new medications.
Dining and nutrition
The menu should provide nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for residents. Be sure to inquire about available support to assist residents with eating since individuals with dementia may face challenges in this area.
The dining experience at Country Meadows in Allentown, PA is designed to create a supportive, calm atmosphere where residents can receive a nutritious, tasty meal and enjoy socializing with other residents and co-workers.
Family support and involvement
Look for memory care facilities that encourage family participation and provide regular updates on a resident’s needs as well as their successes. This is important to help family members understand current abilities of their loved one as well as what to expect next. Regular supportive contact helps family members keep up with their loved one and ensure the individual receives quality care.
The best memory care facilities, like Country Meadows in Allentown, provide ongoing education and support for families to help them understand the dementia journey.
What to look for in a memory care facility in Allentown
Visiting potential memory care facilities, speaking with staff and current residents and observing daily operations can provide valuable information to help you make an informed decision that aligns with the specific needs of your loved one living with memory loss.
Country Meadows supports older adults at various stages of dementia in our memory care programs in Allentown as well as eight other locations in Pennsylvania and one in Frederick, Md. We offer a wide range of services to serve a variety of resident needs in addition to memory care services. If you or a loved one are beginning the memory support planning journey and would like more information or to schedule a tour, please contact us today. We’re here to help.
