.svg)
Dementia is a progressive disease which can become difficult to manage at home. Whether it’s increased confusion, psychological symptoms, or a growing need for physical help, caregivers may find that their loved one is no longer safe to live at home. Memory care communities, such as Opus in Memphis, TN, offer key safety features that allow residents to enjoy a peaceful and supportive environment, while offering caregivers the peace of mind that their loved one is safe.
How does dementia put safety at risk?
Some of the primary symptoms of dementia include confusion and disorientation. These symptoms can make it unsafe for the individual to stay home independently. However, it is often not feasible for family caregivers to provide 24/7 supervision. Even when supervision is present, symptoms can still make it unsafe for an individual to live at home. It’s possible disorientation can increase an individual’s chance of wandering and becoming lost, leaving the stove on, or ingesting harmful materials. In more extreme cases, the disease may cause psychological symptoms that can put the caregiver at risk.
What Safety Features do memory care communities provide?
While a home setting may not be ideal for many individuals living with dementia, a memory care community has the safety features needed to keep residents safe, with the opportunity to thrive. Here, we’ll explore a few of the key safety features that memory care communities in Memphis, TN offer to residents.
- Secured entrances and exits
One of the most notable safety features of a memory care community are the secured entrances and exits. The security of a memory care neighborhood allows residents to navigate freely and independently, without concern of becoming lost. Outdoor spaces are also secured, allowing residents to safely enjoy the Memphis weather.
- Medication management
A memory care neighborhood, like Reflections at Opus, provides residents with a medication management program. This program keeps medications secured until they are safely distributed by the team at the community. This helps to prevent accidental overdoses or missed doses. Many older adults struggle to safely manage their own medications especially as their disease progresses. The care team is also able to monitor medications and alert the medical team to any changes in symptoms.
- A senior-friendly design that can be easily navigated
Most houses are not built and designed with aging and dementia in mind. Features like stairs and small bathrooms often create fall hazards and can be difficult for a person living with dementia. A memory care neighborhood offers a senior friendly design, meaning it is thoughtfully planned with the needs of older adults in mind. Open walkways, no stairs, and spacious rooms create a comfortable and safe living environment.
Reflections at Opus not only offers a spacious, accessible environment, but also a design that is dementia friendly. This means that colors are intentionally chosen to encourage a peaceful space. Flooring is chosen to decrease fall risk, meaning it does not have distracting patterns or uneven surfaces. At Reflections at Opus, every aspect of the neighborhood is planned to promote a safe and peaceful space for residents to enjoy.
- Specially trained staff
The state of Tennessee sets standards to ensure that the staff in a memory care neighborhood is specially trained to support individuals living with dementia. They are trained to respond to potentially challenging symptoms in a way that is safe and supportive. Staff provides varied and structured activities to help residents stay engaged in a productive way, which decreases difficult symptoms. At Reflections at Opus, the team receives cognitive care training which is based on over thirty years of dementia experience.
Dementia is a difficult disease to navigate. Its symptoms can become emotionally and physically draining for caregivers to manage without support. A trusted memory care community in Memphis, TN, can offer the safety and support needed for both the individual living with the disease, along with their loved ones.
Whether you want to be proactive or currently have concerns for your loved one’s safety, stop in to Reflections at Opus for a tour. On a tour, you can meet some of our experienced team members and see all the safety features our community has to offer. Give us a call or book a tour online now. 