5 Things to Look for in Memory Care

Here at Haciendas at Grace Village, we understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect place to provide care to your loved one, especially if they have a complicated condition such as dementia. With a condition as complex as dementia, your loved one needs and deserves the best possible care available from a team of people who truly care about them. We want to give you some sound and valuable advice that will help you provide your loved one with the care and attention that they deserve. Keep reading to learn about five of the most important things we feel you should look for when seeking memory care.

1. Well Trained and Knowledgeable Staff

Having knowledgeable and well-trained staff to provide care for your loved one is of utmost importance. Memory care nurses and caregivers literally have the lives of their patients in their hands. It’s a rigorous job that requires lots of time and attention, but it is also one that requires a great deal of sympathy, kindness, and compassion. The team you choose to care for your loved one should care for them with diligence and patience, provide support to live their daily life with dignity, and, of course, be prepared in case of any emergency that may arise.

Our caregiver-to-patient ratio starts at 1:6, which allows every single resident to receive thorough care from people who truly get to know them. Staff at Haciendas is always present 24/7 so our residents get care whenever they need it, no matter the time or day. Additionally, each caregiver receives certified memory care training, providing them with the knowledge they need to support residents at the highest level. You and your family can be assured your loved one is well taken care of and supported at Haciendas at Grace Village, both physically and emotionally.

2. Engaging Activities

Everyone has the desire for something in their lives to provide enrichment and fun. At Haciendas at Grace Village, we provide activities that are specially curated for residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It has been proven that individuals struggling with dementia, or a related disease, need activities that stimulate the brain and body, but this also must be monitored with safety in mind. Engaging in activities can help residents bond with their peers and caretakers while also exercising their brains and bodies in ways that specifically suit them. We ensure that our residents are involved in everyday activities that can help compensate for lost abilities and help maintain residual skills. These activities are also designed to help build muscle, reduce the rate of the disease’s progression, and provide a sense of community among our residents in fun and exciting ways.

3. Well Crafted Assessments and Care Plans

A well-crafted assessment of a patient and subsequent care plan is extremely important because it determines the type and amount of care an individual will receive. Assessments should be conducted regularly and often to ensure accuracy. Within our community, caregivers conduct assessments at least every six months, or as we see the resident’s behavior change. Based on this assessment, we place them in one of our four levels and provide an appropriate care plan that suits their needs. A resident's individual needs are ever-evolving, and their treatment needs to reflect that and not stay stagnant.

Whenever a resident has a need to transition to a higher level of care, our team is well-equipped to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible. At the core of our service and care, autonomy, safety, and dignity are of the highest priority. Our team goes above and beyond to get to know each resident on a personal level, enabling them to meet even the smallest of needs.

4. A Comfortable and Safe Environment

Care facilities should allow residents to feel at home. It has been shown that comfortable environments improve well-being and physical health. Treatments and therapy can feel uncomfortable or even scary, so it is important that residents have a safe space to turn to. Each building within our community was designed with residents in mind. From safety features found in our seamless transitions between rooms, zero-entry showers, and eliminated corridors, to enjoyable outdoor areas and private suites for each resident, safety and comfortability have always been our priority.

Beyond individual physical needs, we aim to ensure our residents’ emotional needs are also met. Because of this, we never impose strict visiting hours for a resident’s family. Our goal is to provide transparent care that extends across family members.

5. Great Food

By great food, we don’t just mean great tasting food, but meal plans that accommodate all dietary needs while remaining healthy and nutritious. No one wants to eat bad, school cafeteria quality food. Haciendas at Grace Village provides fresh home-cooked meals every day to our residents, and we accommodate all dietary restrictions and needs. Everyone deserves to eat high-quality and nutritious food every single day.

Additionally, we help ensure that our residents are getting enough to eat. Although older adults typically don’t require as high of a caloric intake as they once did, a consistent routine is crucial to ensuring that our residents are receiving the nutrients they need every day. We ensure this and proper medication and liquid management for everyone within our care.

We hope that you are able to find the perfect place for your loved one. They deserve the absolute best care possible, and we truly believe that we can provide that for them. If you have any questions about our care whatsoever, contact us today. We will happily address any concerns or questions that you may have and even schedule a tour so you can experience the community for yourself. We also have a virtual tour available on our website, which you can find here.