In the world of senior living communities, it’s important to note that every family is different. In other words, each parent, grandparent or child enters the “retirement home” conversation with their own personal frame of mind—and in any case, we know these sensitive conversations should be handled delicately. What do those conversations revolve around, exactly? In short, we work with families year-round to ensure they receive the right kind of care for their loved one(s). Where some of society might think retirement homes are a “one size fits all” model, we know that is not always the case. There are various types of care to consider—one of the most notable forms of assisted living is that which takes place in a memory care facility.
If this is your first time hearing about a memory care facility and how it might differ from standard care, you’re not alone. We have the opportunity to educate families about the nuances of this program, and why it might be the most appropriate next step.
The name in itself—memory care facility—might jump out to you and with good reason. A universal truth: as we age, our bodies and minds slow down. There is zero shame in this process, as it is a normal part of life for everyone. But just because this reality is true across the board, it does not mean that the aging process is any less sad or important for those families who are experiencing the ramifications of those they love growing older.
If at any point you start to notice someone’s memory slipping—on multiple occasions—or start to experience them yourself, know that you are not alone. Please reach out to us immediately so we can discuss a potential next step, or simply provide more information.
In the meantime, here are a few reasons why a memory care facility is often one of those “next steps” we recommend.
A Memory Care Facility Defined
Before we get to the “facility” part and how St. Anthony’s has helped many individuals in this area, we’d like to address what “memory care” means to us:
St. Anthony’s Memory Care means the best care for our patients, while still giving them the chance to live in a supportive, friendly community. Our goal is to help these patients live as normally as possible while keeping them safe.
How is memory care clinically defined? We like this simple definition from AssistedLiving.org:
“Memory care facilities are residential communities for seniors living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.”
In addition to our standard independent/assisted living options, we believe it’s crucial to provide the best service possible for anyone experiencing either of those conditions: Alzheimer’s or any form of dementia.
Our caregivers are specially trained by a Certified Dementia Practitioner, providing assistance to our Memory Care residents in accordance with the latest guidance from the National Council on Certification of Dementia Practitioners. As for the living spaces and floor plans, St. Anthony’s Memory Care suites are thoughtfully designed by senior care experts who understand how to create a warm and caring environment.
4 Ways We Lead with Hospitality and Care
As a high-quality memory care facility, St. Anthony’s is dedicated to helping residents maintain a life of value during their time in our senior living community. We believe there are four main qualities that go into our Memory Care philosophy.
Respect
This first trait is of utmost importance to our staff. As stated prior, our aging bodies are something everyone in this life must confront—therefore, we respect any individual in their effort and courage to meet the ensuing challenges head-on. Just because these “challenges” might present new roadblocks for families, that does not mean your loved ones deserve any less respect for who they are as human beings and children of God.
Kindness
When we lead with respect, that ultimately gives way to kindness and empathy. The causes that lead to Memory Care, for many of our residents, means adjusting to a new way of life. The LAST thing they need is assistance that is unkind or discourages them in the process. Therefore, although we lead with respect for every individual—kindness is the very next phase of our Memory Care philosophy.
Patience
Now, does establishing respect and kindness mean the road ahead will be easy? Not quite. Respect and kindness form the foundation for high-quality memory care that allows us to approach all other challenges accordingly. This results in the patience necessary to love and serve our residents well. Nobody is perfect when it comes to patience, but rest assured, this is what our staff strives for every day. We do our best to take care of our staff internally each day so that they might take care of our residents in an appropriate manner.
Space
Lastly, one of the best ways we do serve our residents at St. Anthony’s is through space.
This quality is two-fold 1) St. Anthony’s Memory Care facility suites are thoughtfully designed by senior care experts who understand how to create a warm and caring environment. And 2) we respect the space and privacy of Memory Care residents each day.
Memory Care is a vital component of any assisted living facility.
At St. Anthony’s, we take this responsibility very seriously. Our team ensures that they are placed in a safe, welcoming home with 24-hour care—this is how we’re able to meet residents where they’re at in their Memory Care facility journey through respect, kindness, patience, and space.
“Peace of mind” is what we’re after as a staff, and we won’t stop working until each resident and family knows their needs are met. There’s too much on the line—human hearts and souls—to approach Memory Care any other way.
