Choosing the best memory care community is no walk-in-the-park, especially if your loved one has special medical conditions or needs help with activities of daily living (ADLs). With so many senior living communities to choose from, you may not be sure which will suit the many needs of your loved ones. When it comes to choosing a memory care program, there are a few things that we need to keep in mind. Most importantly, we need to ensure that our loved ones are in good hands and safe in a secure environment and receive quality care. Needs of Our Loved Ones Looking for the ideal memory care community begins with considering the needs of your family member. For instance, does your loved one need a reliable caregiver to assist them with their ADLs? If they can no longer eat, bathe, or dress themselves, they’ll likely need to be given round-the-clock care. In addition, if your loved one has existing health conditions such as diabetes, and requires daily medications or injections, you’ll need to find out more about the type or level of medical care that can be provided by staff in a memory care facility. Benefits of the Memory Care Community Memory care centers have a range of amenities, including healthy meals to health care and transportation services. Ideally, you should understand your loved one’s wishes and needs so you can narrow your search. Weigh the pros and cons of different memory care facilities with your loved ones and take time to tour the grounds. Types of Living Conditions Living conditions in a memory care community can vary from swanky community mansions to cozy twin-sharing apartments. Here are some questions you or your family member should consider: What are the dining options available, is there more than one entree offered at meals? Has the staff been trained in assisting residents with dementia to eat? What kind of assistance is provided? Are there activities planned for resident that address physical, emotional, sensory, spiritual, and intellectual needs? How often are these activities carried out? What are some of the life-enhancing or mind-stimulating programs provided by the memory care community? Staff Qualifications Staff who care for individuals with dementia should have undergone specialized training in memory care diseases. You may like to find out how caregivers in a memory care community interact or communicate with their residents. Where possible, you should also learn how staff handle residents who may exhibit behaviors, how they deal with residents who may be resistant to care or exhibit aggressive behaviors. This will help determine if your family member will receive professional care and be in good hands. Here are some questions to ask to find out whether the staff is qualified: How are the staff trained and what kind of dementia care techniques do they use? How many years of experience do they have? How do the caregivers handle residents who may act out or display aggressive behaviors? Choose Discovery Village At Tampa Palms for Memory Care They say age is just a number, but this adage does not apply when it comes to memory care. At Discovery Village At Tampa Palms, we specialize in taking care of residents who have Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias. We have been given nationwide recognition for excellence in memory care, and our SHINE® Memory Care curriculum has been awarded the Certificate of Recognition from the Alzheimer’s Association®. With our excellent track record in memory care, we are your best bet! Learn more about our memory care program today!