Choice Connections is happy to educate on memory care options and often presents to caregiver or memory support groups.  It is wise to have knowledge of what is available and have a Plan B if a loved one has memory loss. Sometimes things can change overnight.   When keeping your loved one home becomes difficult, you will have a plan in place.

Four Options to Consider

Assisted Living

Many people with memory loss are do well in assisted living with 24/7 staff available.   They may live out their life in assisted living.   If they tend to wander or want to elope or exit the building they will need to be in the secure memory care area that assisted living communities often have.  A scheduled care plan  is set up in assisted living.  A good question to ask is, Would my loved one be safe behind a closed door?

A Memory Care Community 

In a memory care community the focus is specifically and only on dementia care and therefore typically there is much more experience with the disease.    There is likely more  staff training and more structure that is designed to engage and improve residents quality of life.    Often there is more space to walk and roam if that is important and the whole building is secure.

Residential Home

This is a small setting in a house with 5-7 residents typically.  It has the best resident to staff ratios often as low as 1 to 3 during the day and evening and often less staff overnight.  It may not be the best option for your loved one if she is very social, needs a lot of space to walk, or tries to leave the house.   Residential homes can be quite different so working with an advisor or someone like Choice Connections that has been in the various homes is helpful and saves you time in looking.

Skilled Nursing Home or Care Center

Here skilled nursing is offered around the clock.   Often you don’t need an RN or LPN to provide care and attention to your loved one.   Yet if they are medically complex  besides the dementia, it may be the best option.  Not all care centers have a dementia area so it’s good to ask if they do.

Cost of Care

Funding long term care for someone with dementia is expensive and many times funds are depleted.  It’s very important to know if the option you are considering accepts Medicaid or Medical Assistance as it’s called in MN.  Some options only except private pay funds  and your loved one will need to move if funds do run out.    Many options do accept Medical Assistance Elderly Waiver it is called for someone 65 and over.  If your loved one is under 65,then CADI is the term of Medicaid that is appropriate to look for.

Choice Connections Can Help You With Your Plan B

For help determining the best option for your loved one, contact Choice Connections at 651-261-5379 or Eunice@choice-mn.com.