Transitioning From Assisted Living to Memory Care
If your loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, you might be surprised to realize that they can often successfully live in assisted living in Louisiana while they navigate the early stages of the disease. However, even the best assisted living community was not designed to support a resident living with cognitive decline for the long-term. Let us help you recognize when it is time to begin the transition to memory care, as well as how to make that transition as smooth as possible.
Signs Assisted Living in Louisiana Might Not Be Appropriate for Your Loved One
Thanks to early awareness and early diagnosis, older adults with dementia are often able to live successfully in an assisted living community. However, there are some signs that can mean a transition to memory care services is in order.
- Isolating themselves in their apartment, choosing to not come out to meals or social activities.
- Declining invitations to events or activities they would have normally accepted.
- Losing weight.
- Having difficulties sleeping at appropriate times, napping the day away.
- Changes to behavior and attitude, increased depression, anxiety, or aggression that affects daily life.
- Wandering or becoming lost in the community.
- Leaving the community without supervision.
- Requiring a higher level of care or assistance that the assisted living community cannot safely provide.
Benefits of Memory Care
While it can seem sad to move your loved one out of assisted living and into memory care, the right memory care community can actually help your loved one remain safer and more comfortable than their previous assisted living home in Louisiana. Memory care communities are designed to support residents living with cognitive decline, and their team members are specially trained to offer interventions that maximize independence and dignity.
Your loved one can thrive in a memory care community and experience benefits that can include:
- Specialized and personalized interventions based on their preferences and abilities
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Better nutrition
- Increased socialization and connections with others
- Peace of mind for the senior and their family members
Creating a Smooth Transition
If your loved one resides in a retirement community that offers both assisted living and memory care lifestyle options, you will want to work closely with the staff to help create a successful transition for your loved one. This might include bringing your loved one to meals or activities in the memory care community before their move or introducing them to key players in the memory care community to help them feel more comfortable.
Other tips for a smooth transition can include:
- Involving your loved one in the process if it is comforting and empowering to them.
- Asking questions about what to expect in memory care, and offering your loved one the chance to be a part of that conversation.
- Setting up their new memory care apartment ahead of the move so it feels just like home when they arrive.
- Expecting some transition confusion for the first few days or weeks of the move. Involve family members and friends to make extra visits or phone calls to help ease any anxiety.
- Involving your loved one’s physician so they are aware of the change.
- Ensuring medications and other supplies are ready in the memory care community prior to the move.
- Invite assisted living friends to visit your loved one in their new home.
Learn more about The Cottages Memory Care at The Glen.