Questions to Ask Memory Care Communities About Quality of Life and Activities

Moving your loved one into memory care is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. Asking the right questions and noting special nuances are the best ways to learn about the memory care a community offers.
Look at this memory care checklist and learn how you can gain the insights you need to confidently decide on the right community for your family member.
See How a Community Keeps Residents Socializing
Social activities for seniors with dementia offer incredible benefits. They provide cognitive stimulation, relieve stress and allow your loved one’s personality to shine. These questions will help you determine if a community prioritizes social interaction for residents who need memory care:
- How do you encourage residents to get involved in activities?
- How can my loved one continue their favorite hobbies?
- What variety of group and one-on-one activities are available for residents in memory care?
- Can I have a copy of your memory care activity schedule?
- What are unique ways your community helps me interact with my loved one?
- Does your community have strict schedules or can someone live on their preferred schedule?
- Do you personalize activities to meet the needs of your residents?
- How do you celebrate diversity?
- Are there programs that involve social interaction with other age groups?
- Are there any special events or holiday celebrations throughout the year?
- Is your memory care community pet-friendly or are pets allowed to visit?
Social interaction is essential for a high quality of life. All communities prioritize care and meals, but ensuring there are activities and events that keep seniors with dementia social is crucial to their well-being.
[su_button url=”https://theridgeseniorliving.com/wp-content/uploads/9ebd85e5-appart-804886531.2-memorycare-infographic-checklist.pdf” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#BC955C” size=”8″ center=”yes”]Download Our List of Questions to Ask Memory Care Communities[/su_button]
Examine Layout of the Community
Though all aspects of senior living options are thoughtfully designed, memory care communities feel especially homelike. They’re well equipped to prevent wandering and designed to reduce confusion and disorientation. Paying special attention to the layout of a memory care community can help you decide if it’s right for your family member. Ask yourself these questions as you tour the community:
- Is the community easy to navigate and are there welcoming areas to lounge in?
- Are there any safe areas for my loved one to wander to reduce stress?
- Can I help my loved one personalize their memory care residence?
- Does the interior environment include easy-to-find visual cues or landmarks for wayfinding?
- Is the layout designed to assist residents in wheelchairs safely and comfortably?
- Do residents have private or semiprivate rooms?
- What if my loved one is sensitive to noise, is there an area where they can quietly decompress?
- Are outdoor features like courtyards and gardens enclosed, and do they offer comfortable seating?
- Do you schedule supervised trips outside of the community?
Fall prevention is crucial to a high quality of life for all levels of senior living. Pay attention to flooring, look for wider doors with handrails to provide stability, and take notice of any clutter or unnecessary furniture that might be a tripping hazard for residents.
Ask About Special Therapies and Services for Memory Care
Wellness plays an important role in the life of every senior at The Ridge senior living communities. That’s because it encourages you to stay active and social. The benefits of wellness programs for seniors with dementia include a more stimulated appetite, better sleep and better personal habits. Here are just a few that you should inquire about:
Dementia support groups facilitated by an experienced staff member allow your loved one to share insights and gain encouragement from others who face the same challenges Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments bring.
MUSIC & MEMORY® is a non-profit organization giving those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia personalized music playlists on a digital device to tap into deep memories and help them feel like themselves again.
The Montessori Approach for Dementia focuses on giving life decisions back to the individual whenever possible to preserve their individuality. It addresses each resident’s needs uniquely and provides methods to foster greater independence.
Grey Matters is our artistically driven and individualized program designed to bring physical, emotional and cognitive enrichment to older adults with a combination of movement, social engagement and creative expression.
As you tour our community, ask us about the latest technology used to provide memory care. The best memory care communities have easy-to-use apps, The Sagely Family App and Lifeloop, that allow families to stay seamlessly connected to their loved ones through real-time updates and photos.
Experience a Forward-Thinking Approach to Memory Care at The Ridge
To learn more about our senior living communities and innovative programs in Utah and Colorado, contact us online, and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.