When a parent is diagnosed with dementia, it may be time to think about seeking professional care. Senior living communities like ours at Bella Mar Delray Beach can be a wonderful way to get your parent professional care and support. So how do you move a parent with dementia into senior living?
First, it helps to determine whether or not your parent is cognitively and medically stable. If they are, assisted living can be an excellent choice; holding an open and honest conversation about this transition is a good place to start.
However, if your parent is experiencing memory impairment or cognitive decline, it may be more ideal to consider a move to memory care. It can help to get a professional diagnosis and assessment to determine the right choice for your loved one.
What Is Assisted Living?
When you have a parent who enjoys their independence but is also starting to experience difficulties with their daily tasks, it’s likely time for assisted living. In these communities, each resident gets a personalized care plan. Whether they need a hand with bathing, dressing, or grooming, assisted living can help.
Meanwhile, these locations offer a range of services and experiences. There are programs where your parent can learn new hobbies, try new things, enjoy the company of others, and more. In our community at Bella Mar Delray Beach, our residents gain access to:
- Community gardens and private courtyards
- Social lounges
- Beauty & barber shops
- Community fitness centers
- Screened-in community porches
- Private dining areas
- Beautiful outdoor walking paths
Whether your parent enjoys gardening, self-care, or fine food, they can gain access to it all. It’s a vibrant and socially active environment designed to encourage independence and a sense of community.
Can Someone with Dementia Move to Assisted Living?
There is a bit of a catch, though; in assisted living, residents should be able to remain mostly independent. These communities aren’t designed for older adults who need around-the-clock medical care and supervision. When certain medical conditions reach a stage where a person can no longer remain independent, assisted living may not be the answer.
Assisted living is an ideal option for older adults who are both cognitively and medically stable. If your parent is diagnosed with dementia but hasn’t experienced a significant level of cognitive decline, they may still qualify for assisted living; it greatly depends on the community in question.
However, if memory impairment or cognitive decline becomes more serious, it may be time to think about memory care instead.
What Is Memory Care?
When dementia reaches later stages, what do you do? It’s a complicated neurodegenerative disorder that has a significant impact on a person. There is an answer; memory care.
Memory care communities are designed to support older adults living with dementia, memory impairment, or cognitive decline. These communities aim to provide a stable, safe, and structured environment to give support to each and every resident.
The teams in these communities receive additional training so they can better help older adults with dementia. Each resident gets a customized care plan so that they get the care they need, and this is constantly updated to stay relevant.
The environment itself is created to reduce potential stresses and anxieties caused by dementia. The layout is simple and easy to navigate, and there are additional security measures in place to keep every resident safe.
For a person living with dementia, memory care can be a great way to enhance their safety and well-being while getting them the care needed to slow cognitive decline.
Moving a Parent with Dementia to Senior Living
It can seem challenging to make the right decision for a parent with dementia, but it doesn’t have to be.
Begin by considering your parent’s wants and needs; by knowing what they need from a future home, you can begin making an informed decision. Then, begin researching nearby communities. Once you know where to go, you can begin easing the transition for your parent.
Assess Your Parent’s State and Needs
Before beginning the search for senior living, it’s crucial to assess your parent’s condition and needs. You might want to consider:
- Their level of cognitive function
- The progression of their dementia
- Their physical capabilities
- Their social preferences and habits
- Any unique challenges or behaviors that could affect their care
It can help to speak with a healthcare professional for a proper assessment. This way, you can begin deciding whether memory care or assisted living is more suitable for your parent.
Choose the Right Community
Now that you know which community style you’re looking for, it’s time to begin scheduling tours. Most communities let you visit ahead of time to see the area for yourself. This way, you can assess:’
- The level of care being provided
- The physical layout of the community
- The fee structure
- How the staff and residents interact
- The home your parent will be moving to
This lets you make an informed decision about whether or not the community is right for your parent.
Prepare for the Move
Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to help your parent with the transition to senior living. To help them prepare for this new change, it can help to:
- Involve your parent in discussions and visits to potential communities
- Create a familiar and comforting space in their new residence
- Be encouraging and supportive
- Keep in touch with the staff about your parent’s care
And don’t forget; once your parent is moved in, it can help to regularly visit!
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
Whether you’re in need of assisted living or memory care for a parent with dementia, our team at Bella Mar Delray Beach is here for your family. We offer both assisted living and memory care services to our residents; we believe that every family deserves peace of mind by knowing that their loved one is getting the right kind of care. Schedule a tour with us today, and let’s work together to get your parent the care they deserve.
