There are times when it is easy to second-guess your decision or question what you should do. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if you made the right decision. That feeling can last long after you make your decision. You may not know if you have found the right choice until you make the decision. This is especially true when you are trying to make a life-changing decision, such as finding the best memory care facility for a loved one.
This blog post will help you if this describes a situation that keeps you awake at night. Although our memory care checklist will help you identify the things to look out for and ask questions, choosing the right memory care provider is subjective.
It’s not about the amenities or bricks-and-mortar a community offers. It’s about how it feels. While location, design, and activities are all important, there is more to selecting a memory care facility.
This blog will help you to understand how to choose a memory care community that is right for you and your loved ones.
Memory Care Centers That Feel Like Home
Everybody has their own definition of home. This may be based on where they were born or what they imagine a home to look like. It’s more than just the words you use to describe it. It is something you only feel when it feels.
Here are some tips to help you find the right memory care center for your loved one.
Pets are truth-tellers:
Does your community offer pet-friendly memory care? If so, how does it work with the pets that you see? Are they happy?
Trust your gut:
You know what it feels like to be welcomed into someone’s home. So ask yourself: “Do I feel welcome in this community?” Do I feel welcome to drop by whenever I like? You might also notice other people there visiting loved ones.
Personalized and individual:
Take a look at each residence to see if they are identical or if they have been decorated. You can make someone feel at home by giving them items that make him/her feel comfortable and welcome.
Friends on staff:
Do they make you feel at home, even if you don’t know anyone in the community? Are they friendly? Do the staff and residents have a good working relationship?
Vibe check:
You can get a sense of the environment and how residents interact with each other. Knowing what a typical day looks like for your loved one will help you determine if memory care in Myrtle Beach is right for them.
What’s cooking:
What does the food smell like? Are there any kitchens where residents can make their own meals? A lot of people associate food with a sense of belonging. You can pay attention to the food and decide if it is something you would like for your loved one.
Think outside the box:
Do you see others doing things that your loved one would enjoy? You know what activities they enjoy or would love to try. Perhaps there are staff members or residents that your loved one would enjoy talking to. Do you think your loved one’s faith is important? Are there ways that they could continue practicing it on-site or by traveling to local houses of worship? It’s possible to imagine them living there.
Ask for a second opinion from your loved one
You may find it helpful to ask your loved ones if you have been on a tour of a community with your parent. These are some questions you might want to ask:
- What do you think about the residents and staff?
- Are they people you would want to have a conversation with?
- Is it a place that you would enjoy?
- Do you feel safe in the community?
- Perhaps most important, does it feel like home?
- Are You Looking for a Memory Care Center?
We know that finding the right care for your family member can be a difficult decision. Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest is a great resource for anyone who has a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Call us now.
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Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/