According to recent estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 16 percent of Greenville County’s approximately 514,000 residents are 65 or older. Given the Alzheimer’s Association’s statistic that one in three older adults will be diagnosed with some form of dementia, many Greenville County residents will likely need memory care at some point. If you’re one of these residents and starting to look for memory care in Greenville, here are some things to look for.
Knowledgeable, Specially Trained Staff
Most people considering a move to memory care in Greenville are keenly aware of the kind of help and attention they need. When dealing with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you may experience difficulty remembering things, thinking clearly, performing daily tasks, and even talking. As these symptoms progress, it can become unsafe to live alone or to have access to only light supervision as you might in assisted living.
Memory care offers an advanced level of care provided by staff specially trained in dementia so that you can continue to thrive. These facilities offer 24/7 supervision in a secure environment so that you never feel alone, and help is always a moment away. At Arbor communities, staff members receive initial training before they begin providing care, but also continually pursue new learning opportunities to ensure that we are always providing the best, most informed care we can. Some additional features provided by memory care staff include:
- Help with activities of daily living, including medication management
- Transportation to doctor’s appointments
- Preplanned nutritious and tasty meals
Emphasis on Family Relationships
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for loved ones with dementia each year, providing more than 17 billion hours of care. These voluntary caregivers are operating from a place of love, and it is natural to want to do all you can when a parent, spouse, or friend is dealing with any kind of hardship. Unfortunately, caregiver burnout is equally natural. Caregivers of loved ones with dementia are at high risk of depression and exhaustion, and too often find that their role as caregiver takes over their former role as a family member or loved one.
Memory care communities allow voluntary caregivers to go back to being loved ones and focus on their relationships. When you move into memory care in Greenville, professionals will provide the assistance you need with daily tasks, and your family and friends can continue to provide companionship and quality time. This can ease family conflicts, prevent guilt and shame, and improve the mental and emotional health of all involved.
Appropriate Activities and Amenities
The staff members at memory care communities recognize that your sense of joy and purpose is intimately connected to your health, even if your memory isn’t as strong as it once was. They know that dementia isn’t “the end,” and they work hard to keep their residents engaged, happy, and continually growing. There are many ways to have fun and stay active in memory care communities, including:
- Dementia-appropriate activities. Research shows that participating in appropriate activities can help those with dementia increase their self-esteem, maintain higher levels of mental functionality, and even enhance their quality of life. Staff in these communities are trained to adapt fun and meaningful activities for each individual’s abilities.
- Meaningful socialization. In 2018, Alzheimer’s Society found that more than one-third of seniors with dementia had recently felt lonely, and many reported losing friends following their diagnosis. Because those dealing with memory loss may need help socializing, memory care communities take extra efforts to foster engagement and encourage residents to build relationships with each other.
- Support for physical and mental health. Research consistently shows that physical activity may slow the progression of dementia and improve symptoms, and memory care communities provide plenty of appropriate exercise options. Memory care communities also find ways to ease mental health issues that are often triggered by memory loss, such as anxiety.
Memory care residents not only engage in activities just for them, but also live in specially designed spaces meant to meet their changing needs. Apartments in memory care communities are built to provide extra safety and security and to encourage comfortable routines. Amenities include peer support groups and individual care plans.
Help When You Need It
Maybe you’re not sure if it is time to seriously consider memory care in Greenville, but you don’t want to wait too long. Maybe you’re nervous about broaching the subject with a loved one who may not react well. Maybe you’re ready to take the next step and look into your options, but you don’t know where to start.
The good news is that you don’t have to go through this alone. The senior care counselors at The Gardens at Eastside are always standing by to answer questions, talk you through your options, or share details about our own memory care community. Get in touch today!
