What is memory care ?

“Memory care is a form of senior living that provides intensive, specialized care for people with memory issues.”

—AARP page on caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia

After some point, it’s pretty hard to care for such patients at home. Family members who lack the necessary training and resources may find they have no choice but to seek professional support in the form of what’s called “memory care.”

My girlfriend is a memory care specialist at an elder care facility. She is an LCSW and has an extra certification in memory care. She works with resident sho have various levels of dementia, including Alzheimers.

Part of memory care is working to rebuild neural pathways as much as possible, or to preserve the ones left, so as to reduce frustration for the client and increase their enjoyment of life.

In general, a “memory care” facility has secured, locked doors, so that residents can’t wander beyond the perimeter. The facility also provides a greater level of assisted living services, for people who are no longer able to perform their own activities of daily living – toileting, bathing, dressing and undressing, grooming, and feeding oneself.

My mother is in memory care. She has been declining mentally for years with dementia, but she was doing OK. She was in assisted living until a year ago. It was great for a couple of years. Going to dinner with her neighbors was an important part of the day. She was taking classes on site, including exercise. But then she started withdrawing and would not leave her room. She wasn’t washing or changing her clothes.

So one year ago we moved her to a place with memory care. All meals are communal, and they have group activities. She leaves her door open and people come and go. Memory care is a separate wing, with a dedicated staff. It’s been fantastic because Mom is interacting with others all day. The staff helps her with hygiene and laundry. I compare it to being on a cruise.

The unit is locked. When we could visit (pre-pandemic) we had to be let in and out by staff with a key.

She contracted Covid at the end of October and almost died. She wasn’t bouncing back until we moved her back to memory care, back to her own room, with familiar surroundings and familiar people. She now needs a wheelchair, and a hospice nurse visits twice a week. But she is in good spirits again, thanks to the communal living.