Many people never lose their mental clarity as they age – their wits remain sharp until the end of their lives. However, that’s not the case for everyone. Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions can rob them of their memories, and their quality of life. If your loved one is suffering from such a situation, memory care providers in Pennsylvania can help. What is this type of care and what should you know about it?
What Is It?
Memory-specific treatment is a comprehensive care type designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related conditions, or conditions in which memory has been affected. It goes above and beyond what is available through a standard assisted living facility. However, because it is more comprehensive, it usually costs more than assisted living services.
It’s Specific
With assisted living facilities and retirement homes, residents could suffer from any number of conditions, ranging from simply being physically unable to take care of themselves to just needing companionship from peers. However, a memory care center is designed specifically for the needs of residents suffering from dementia. This means that the staff have specific training to help ensure compassionate care for dementia patients, as well as being prepared for the unique situations in which they might find themselves when dealing with patients with memory problems and cognitive disorders.
It’s about Health and Safety
While assisted living facilities and retirement centers can host patients with dementia-related conditions, it’s often an unsafe situation. The facility is not designed to handle these types of patients, and the staff members are likely not trained for working with them, either. This can create a dangerous situation in which a patient with Alzheimer’s could become confused and then simply wander away from the facility – it’s every adult child’s nightmare when dealing with a parent who has developed dementia. With a memory-specific center, the facility and even the staff roster were all developed with the health and safety of dementia patients in mind.
As you can see, memory care center offers unique advantages over assisted living facilities or retirement homes. If you have a parent or another aging loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or another cognitive degenerative disorder, these types of facilities can offer not just a helping hand, but hope and the compassionate care that your loved one deserves.
