When you or your loved one is looking for a memory care facility, it’s important to ask questions. While some questions might seem like they’re not important, they could be things that make a huge difference in your loved one’s quality of life. You want to ensure that they’ll be safe and happy while living at the memory care in NOLA, so take the time to learn what you can before deciding where to place them. Here are some useful tips on how to go about touring different memory care centers:
Have A List Of Questions Ready
Before touring a memory care center, have a list of questions ready to ask. What are the most important questions to ask? What should you ask the tour guide? What should you ask the care team? What should you ask residents and family members?
For example, when touring an assisted living community for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, some common questions on your list might include:
- How many team members will be on duty at night?
- How many nurses are available during the day, and how often do they change shifts?
- Do they have plans for an emergency incident such as a fall or seizure in the middle of the night if no one else is awake but them (i.e., don’t just rely on waking up another resident)?
Be Aware Of Your Loved One’s Potential Needs.
When touring a memory care community, the staff members at each facility must be able to address all of your loved one’s potential needs. Of course, this will vary depending on the person in question. However, some key areas require attention:
- Communication – Does the resident receive verbal cues? Do they understand non-verbal cues such as body language or gestures?
- Safety – Are they able/able to remember how not to fall while going up or down stairs? How would they react if someone else took their medication without asking them first?
- Diet – What food do they enjoy eating (if any)? What types of foods should you avoid eating (if any)? Do they have allergies that need special attention when dining out at restaurants with other residents within their community?
Consider The Size And Layout Of The Memory Care Facility.
You’ll want to consider the size and layout of the building. How many residents are there? What is the ratio of team to residents? Are there activities for patients or just sitting around? Is there a courtyard or garden that’s accessible for patients to use? Are there private rooms available for each resident, or are they all in shared rooms? The more options you have in terms of location and privacy when it comes to your loved one’s living situation, the better.
Be sure to ask about meal plans as well. Some people prefer family-style dining where everyone eats together at one table; others would rather have meals delivered so they don’t have to leave their room except if absolutely necessary.
Be Aware Of Your Loved One’s Potential Needs.
If your loved one has dementia, they may need help with basic tasks like eating and bathing. They may also have difficulty communicating or remembering things.
Some people with Alzheimer’s get agitated or confused easily. Others have trouble sleeping at night and staying awake during the day. They might become depressed or anxious if they sense something is wrong with their memory or abilities.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips for touring memory care have helped you get a better idea of what to look for when visiting a facility. It’s important to remember that not every place will be right for your loved one, so it’s best to take your time and ask questions until you find the right match.
