When a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia moves into a nursing home or memory care facility, it can be a very scary time.
You may have heard that they’re not safe to stay at home, but what does that mean? Is there such thing as being too safe? And what should you do if your loved one is suicidal?
This post explains the differences between these two types of facilities and how they can help those with dementia and their families better prepare.
Expertise
Nursing homes are not specifically tailored to the needs of people suffering from Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. The staff may be undertrained, and there is no guarantee that only one person will become ill at a time.
Nursing homes do not have the specialized equipment necessary to deal with these issues in their residents’ care. They also tend to be staffed by people who don’t understand dementia very well, so they may not give adequate support or assistance.
This can lead to wandering behavior that makes it difficult for families in need of memory care services (such as those dealing with Alzheimer’s) as well as making it difficult for loved ones caring for someone with this condition because they won’t know what kind of help they need until after something has already happened—and then there’s no way around having another incident happen again soon afterwards!
Memory care facilities are specifically set up to handle the challenges that come with advanced dementia, like behavioral changes and wandering. In most cases, a memory care facility will have
Cost
Nursing homes are generally less expensive than memory care facilities.
The costs of nursing homes vary widely, but most are much less expensive than memory care facilities.
A private room in a typical nursing home can cost $1,000 per month or more; a similar room in a memory care facility will likely cost you more than $2,000 per month.
On the other hand, it’s possible that your loved one might need assistance with daily activities and medications at some point during their stay at the facility—this could add up to additional costs for both parties involved.
But if you’re worried about paying too much for long-term care services that won’t be needed often enough to justify their cost on its own (or if you’re looking into getting help financially), consider checking out these options:
A nursing home is more likely to offer a full range of services, such as physical therapy and dialysis.
If you’re looking for a memory care facility, it is important that you know what services and amenities are typically offered. The type of nursing home you choose will depend on whether or not your loved one needs dialysis or physical therapy.
Nursing homes often offer more comprehensive care than memory care facilities because they have staff who specialize in providing this type of assistance.
A nursing home may also provide other services such as occupational therapy and speech pathology, which can make living at home more comfortable for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Staff
Staff should be trained to deal with the behavioral changes that come with dementia. Many memory care facilities employ specially trained staff who understand the unique challenges that come with dementia.
Staff should be trained to deal with wandering, which can be a serious problem at times in a nursing home or other facility because residents may get lost or take off on their own without telling anyone where they’ve gone.
If a resident wanders away, it’s important for staff members who know where he or she is going (or at least what direction he or she has taken) to try and find them as quickly as possible before they get hurt or injured due to their lack of knowledge about local conditions and surroundings.
Staff should also educate themselves about incontinence so that they can assist their patients when necessary
Structure
Memory care facilities provide more structure than a typical nursing home. Many nursing homes have activities on their calendar, but these are often not as structured as those in memory care.
For example, many nursing homes do not require their residents to attend group conversations or recreational activities at specific times of the day or week. In contrast, most memory care facilities require all residents to participate in daily scheduled activities like dining and visiting with friends and family members outside of the facility’s walls.
In addition to having more structured days for relaxation and socialization, you will also notice that these communities place an emphasis on helping each resident feel comfortable in his or her surroundings by providing him/her with plenty of privacy so he/she doesn’t feel like he has no choice but to conform because there aren’t many other options available.
Your loved one may be better served by a memory care facility rather than a traditional nursing home.
A memory care facility is a way to keep your loved one in the community while they are still able to live independently.
It’s not just for seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia; it’s also good for people who have other conditions that affect their brains, such as depression or anxiety.
The main difference between a nursing home and a memory care facility is simply in the fact that the former offers services only to those who need them, whereas the latter can provide round-the-clock care for those who are living at home but may not be able to manage themselves anymore.
Many hospitals offer both types of facilities—nursing homes when residents are admitted, then moving them into assisted living when they no longer need 24/7 assistance from caregivers (or just want some extra help).
While there aren’t any hard numbers on how many people choose one over another based on their needs alone (because every person is different), it’s safe guess that most families choose whichever option works best for them personally because everyone has different priorities when looking after loved ones during periods like this – whether it be finding activities outside their home town/city or wanting someone around constantly while they’re sleeping away time at night.”
Memory care facilities have proven to be a great option for many people living with dementia.
They offer more structure and comfort than traditional nursing homes and can accommodate the specialized needs of people with advanced dementia.
If you are looking for a place where your loved one can stay, consider visiting Reliable oaks for the best Memory care services!