What Happens in a Memory Care Unit?
When your mom forgot to pay her power bill, you weren’t overly concerned. After all, you’ve forgotten to pay a bill before, and at your mom’s age, you know she’s being more forgetful than she was when she was younger.
But your worry multiplied when Mom couldn’t remember how to get to the grocery store a few streets away.
These are usually some of the first signs that your loved one may need memory care. This type of supervised care helps those who have Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Have you ever wondered what happens in one of these units? We’ll take a quick look and discover the activities that occur there.
What Goes on Inside a Memory Care Unit
First, it’s important to recognize that our unit is staffed by employees who have received extensive training in how to help those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. In these secured units, we place resident safety as our first priority. We also seek to provide an environment that is also stimulating to help “exercise the minds” of our residents.
Studies have shown that those with dementia who participate in these stimulating activities do much better at tasks of daily living than those who do not. That’s why it’s so important to keep our residents engaged on a daily basis.
Close supervision is also needed because, in its more advanced stages, Alzheimer’s can affect the ability to walk and move, which places these residents at greater risk of falls. Others with dementia may be prone to wander and get lost, even if the surroundings are familiar.
Because we tailor each treatment to every individual, we recognize that not all of these activities will work with every person. That’s why we specifically evaluate the needs of each resident and craft a plan accordingly.
Following are some activities you might see us doing:
Music Therapy
Studies have demonstrated how effective music therapy is at relieving stress, reducing depression, calming agitation and reducing anxiety.
But did you realize that these musical reminiscences are usually left undamaged from Alzheimer’s disease?
According to information from the Mayo Clinic, the areas of the brain that are closely linked to musical memory are generally intact despite having dementia.
This means that playing music that reminds the residents of their youth can have a wonderful effect on them, even going so far as to transform their outlook. Likewise, singing is another activity that provides positive results.
Playing Cards
Those in a memory care unit may not remember or be able to process the rules associated with complicated card games. However, residents can be given a deck of cards to separate into suits: hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs. This provides stimulation for the mind and helps residents cognitively.
Memory Box
Some residents benefit from being reminded about their previous profession. One simple way to do this is to get a shoebox and fill it with items related to their previous occupation. For example, someone who was a carpenter may have a small piece of wood in their box, while someone who was a chef may have a recipe card.
Look at Photographs
Those with dementia may not recognize the people in their family photographs, but viewing these pictures can still have a positive impact by creating a story.
Matching and Sorting Games
Sensory stimulation can be easily achieved through matching games where pictures or shapes are combined. It’s also a great exercise for thinking skills.
Interesting Facts About Dementia
If your loved one has dementia, you do not have to face this journey alone. We are here every step of the way to assist you.
You may be surprised to know that there are 50 million people worldwide who face the challenge of dementias—including those with Alzheimer’s. This number is expected to triple by 2050. The World Health Organization also states:
- A new case of dementia is diagnosed every three seconds
- It has a huge economic impact in the U.S. – approximately $818 billion a year
- Early diagnosis can dramatically improve the quality of life for those with dementias
Help for You and Your Loved One at Cedar Cove
Caregivers are also dramatically impacted by dementias—the exhaustion of taking care of a loved one can result in depression and anxiety.
That’s why our memory care center was established—to allow you to go back to your role as son, daughter or spouse so we can take on the role of caregiver.
Our center features 28 secured beds in a compassionate, caring environment. Our goal is to provide assistance that is engaging, secure and safe. With a friendly, knowledgeable staff, we can assure you that your loved one is in good hands.
We’re also located in the beautiful coastal North Carolina town of Wilmington, which features fabulous restaurants, great shopping opportunities and beautiful beaches.
We invite you to take a virtual tour so you can see for yourself why our residents love living at Cedar Cove.
Spaces fill quickly, so contact us today.