What to Look for in Dementia Care Communities in Albuquerque
Of the many dementia care communities in Albuquerque, you want one that is clean and well-maintained, with compassionate staff who will give your loved one the care they need.
You aren't alone in your search for dementia housing options. Someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds, according to Alzheimer's Disease International. You can find a memory care community that's the right fit by focusing on what will best meet your loved one's needs.
Where Is Best for a Dementia Patient to Live?
The best environment for your loved one with dementia depends on several factors. The progression of the disease and the availability of in-home caregivers are two important considerations.
In-Home Care
People in the early stages of dementia are often able to stay in their homes with some support. Being in a familiar environment can be beneficial. A family member or paid service provider helps with daily activities like bathing and dressing, ensuring the person with dementia is safe.
Assisted Living
If in-home care isn't fully able to meet your loved one's needs, an assisted living community may be a good option. The staff are available 24/7 to help with activities of daily living while giving your loved one as much independence as possible. Look for communities that offer assisted living and memory care because your loved one will likely need to transition to a memory care community eventually.
Memory Care
Specialized senior communities for memory care are designed to support people with more advanced stages of dementia. They may offer cognitive wellness programs and other Alzheimer's support. Staff are trained to calm and reassure people with dementia while handling behaviors like wandering.
The community should have additional safety features, like keypad entries and doorbells for coming and going. Other design elements can include color-coded walls and memory boxes outside each resident's room.
Features to Consider in Dementia Care Communities
When you've decided you need New Mexico memory care, you may find it helpful to make a list of questions to ask and features to keep in mind. Items you may want on your checklist include:
- Is the community Medicare and Medicaid certified?
- Does it have a valid state license?
- Do the staff receive specialized training to support residents with dementia?
- Is the relationship between staff and residents friendly and respectful?
- Does the community seem clean and well-maintained?
Consider your loved one's needs now and in the future so you can find a community that will continue to be a good fit.
What Are the Four Rs of Dementia Care?
The Four Rs are a way to manage unwanted behaviors in dementia. When you're evaluating dementia housing options, ask the care team how the Four Rs and other strategies fit into the way they interact with residents.
Reassure
For people with dementia, interacting with the world around them can be a challenge. People and situations that used to be familiar can seem strange and overwhelming. This can create feelings of anxiety and fear, which can lead to yelling or agitated behavior.
Reassuring your loved one can provide a sense of safety and comfort.
Reconsider
Considering your loved one's perspective is essential. The trigger for behavior that seems unpredictable can sometimes be found if you consider the situation from your loved one's perspective. Ask the care team at any New Mexico memory care community you're considering how they get to know their residents and tailor care to their needs.
Redirect
Redirection turns the person's attention to something other than whatever is upsetting them. Redirection could be:
- Starting a different activity
- Taking your loved one into a different room
- Giving them a familiar or interesting object
Relax
Your loved one should have a relaxed and calming environment to live in. Look for a memory care community with features designed to reduce confusion and agitation, like spaces with calming colors and minimal clutter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Pay for Dementia Housing?
Medicare has limited coverage for dementia care. The program will pay for up to 35 hours a week of home health care for people with dementia who live at home and are considered homebound. However, it won't cover assistance with activities of daily living.
Medicare will cover the first 100 days in a nursing home following a hospital admission under certain circumstances. The care must be medical, not help with activities of daily living.
Although Medicare has limited options for memory care, it can cover some medical services that people with dementia may need, such as:
- Cognitive testing
- Care planning for people recently diagnosed with dementia
- Medication to treat Alzheimer's disease
Your loved one may qualify for a Special Needs Plan, which is a type of Medicare Advantage plan designed to address the needs of people with specific conditions, including dementia. Medicaid provides more financial assistance for memory care communities than Medicare.
How to Know When to Move a Parent from Assisted Living to Memory Care?
Deciding when a loved one should move from assisted living to memory care can be stressful. At a certain point, they'll need the specialized care and security of a memory care community. Signs to watch for include:
- Wandering or trying to leave the building
- Getting lost
- Agitation or aggression
- Difficulty socializing or interacting with others
- Changes in eating habits
Moving to an environment designed to meet their needs can be reassuring. The transition is easier in communities that offer both options, so the move is from one section of the community to another.
Finding the Right Memory Care Community in Albuquerque
As your loved one's dementia advances, they will need more specialized care. The number of dementia care communities in Albuquerque can seem overwhelming, but you can find a good fit by focusing on a few key features. Look for a clean, well-maintained community where the staff genuinely cares about the residents.
You'll find your perfect fit here at Morada Albuquerque. We offer both assisted living and memory care with the same high standards for service to our residents. Our approach to memory care combines the latest medical insights with a person-centered focus.
Schedule a tour of Morada Albuquerque today to learn how our compassionate memory care can support you and your loved one.