HeelsandSneakers2
One of the top conversations for families traveling the journey of dementia, deals with understanding care needs and appropriate support or placement for their loved one.
The conversation points might go something like:
- He’s not ready to be “locked up” with “those” people yet.
- She’s already in a nice assisted living where everyone loves her, and they are making accommodations so she can stay longer.
- He’s in an assisted living where they are not taking care of him!
Deciding where to place your loved one can be challenging. Two options to consider are assisted living and memory care. Both are valuable; however, each assumes a certain level of independence and tailors their services as such.
Let’s explain—imagine you’re starting your day and need to select a pair of shoes to wear. Do you go with high heels or sneakers?
An assisted living’s design can be compared to a pair of high heel shoes; symbolizes active independence and lifestyle. The person living in an assisted living is expected to busy themselves in their down time, know when to go to meals and/or other events (sometimes with gentle reminders) and problem solve life’s little challenges every day. Assisted living can extend their services in the form of levels of care, although the expectation is still that its residents perform skills of cognitive independence.
For someone in the journey of a dementia causing disease such as Alzheimer’s, these “high heel shoes” begin to get uncomfortable. This becomes apparent as the resident does not go out as much, has increased confusion late in the afternoon or early evening from the barrage of stressors faced all day. An overwhelming majority of people with a dementia causing disease will suffer from depression due to these factors. A similar situation can easily occur with those residing at home as well.
And, although it’s easy to get upset with the assisted living if you feel your loved one isn’t getting the care they need however, keep in mind that they were designed to care for those who are still comfortable with “high heel shoes.”
So, as this journey of dementia starts, it is best to consider a good pair of sneakers!
Sneakers, like memory care communities are designed with support and, in most cases, come with coaches! A memory care community is licensed as an assisted living, however, has gone the extra mile to become specialized in its design, training and staffing to better coach and support those in the journey of dementia.
In a memory care environment, specific activities or programs designed to meet the needs of those with dementia or Alzheimer’s are offered daily. This is important because it allows residents to be with “coaches” or friends to support them throughout the day. The resident doesn’t have to be concerned as to how best fill their day. There is a structure designed with their needs, preferences and purpose in mind.
A point that should be mentioned is the brain benefits of being socially active and engaging. Active MRIs show how almost the entire brain is active in a socially engaging environment. Engagement programs give residents a part of that much needed social exchange throughout the day. The savvy memory care provider will also offer an intermediate activity program—which can also occur in assisted living—that provides increased structure and routine for those residents “in between” assisted living and memory care.
Choosing a memory care community is not about “locking” someone up, but rather encouraging their freedom. Engagement programs are designed to meet the full spectrum of “connection” needs for residents. One of the most important being “Purpose.” This type of program component identifies each person’s “reason”—their purpose—and creates engagement for that person to fill this need.
When you choose your shoes for today’s errands or events remember every shoe provides a different purpose just like assisted living and memory care. Neither is bad or better than the other, they are simply different in design and purpose.
This article is brought to you by The Heritage at Hunters Chase.
