Making the decision to move a parent, spouse or loved one into a memory care community can be hard. You may feel anxious or have mixed emotions.
On one hand you might feel relieved to have help with the physical and emotional demands of caring for someone with impaired memory. On the other hand, you may wonder if your loved one will feel comfortable and receive the best possible care.
As you tour memory care communities, you are sure to have lots of questions. Finding answers can help you determine which community is the best fit for your loved one and can give you peace of mind.
Here are some common questions and answers that can help you along your journey as a caregiver.
What level of care does the community provide?
Our memory support communities are specifically designed for seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
We create a personal care plan with each one of our residents and their families. For some residents this may include assistance with daily living tasks such as medication, bathing and dressing while others may need occasional reminders coupled with memory stimulation through customized activities.
For all of our residents, we offer a host of amenities to make life more enjoyable. Our apartments are safe and comfortable. Each community offers secure entrances, nurses onsite 24/7 and emergency call bracelets for added peace of mind.
Is there consistency in staffing?
Having the same staff members regularly assigned to care for your loved one can lead to more personalized care. Over time, staff members begin to feel like an extension of your family.
At Senior Star we believe that consistency in staffing starts with a positive work environment where our employees come first. We want to do everything we can to empower our associates to deliver excellent service and care.
Each year we work with an independent research consulting firm called Great Place to Work® to learn what we’re doing right and where we can improve.
We’ve been certified as a Great Place to Work – 6 years running as of 2023! We have also been ranked in FORTUNE Magazine®’s Top 5 Best Workplaces in Aging Services.
Learn more about our accreditations here.
We strongly believe these efforts help attract and retain incredible, caring staff in our communities. Our employees have all the tools, continued education opportunities and support to provide the utmost service and care for you and your loved one.
What’s the Difference Between Assisted Living and Memory Care?
There are many overlaps between memory care and assisted living. However, memory care communities offer additional support and services specific to the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
Memory care residents have an extra level of care that helps them feel safe as well as programming specifically designed to support residents’ cognitive function.
How does the community communicate with families?
Regular communication with caregivers will give you peace of mind that your loved one is getting the attention they need.
At Senior Star, we know how important it is for adult children and family members to feel engaged in their loved one’s life and care. We want to partner with you so that you feel informed and engaged.
It’s easy to stay up to date with what’s happening in your loved one’s community when you download the Sagely: Family 2.0 App. The family app provides real-time activity updates, photos, and community messages on your smartphone or tablet.
We always want to keep the lines of communication open. Don’t hesitate to give your location a call. We are more than happy to answer questions or help facilitate communication between you and your loved one.
Senior Star communities want to create meaningful visits for you and your loved one. Each community has its own monthly calendar filled with activities, events, and Signature Programs.
In many cases, friends and family are welcome to participate alongside residents. Staff can also help reserve a room for a family gathering or make recommendations on the best ways to spend time with a person living with dementia.
As your loved one first gets settled in, we’ll want to meet to review their personal care plan and update it as needed.
How do you pay for memory care?
Finances are a key consideration when it comes to planning for memory care. Learning what options are available to your loved one can help you find the best fit.
Planning ahead allows you to work with a financial advisor or estate planning attorney if you choose. Turning to a professional can help you explore an array of options about which you may not be familiar, such as reverse mortgages, life insurance conversion, Veterans Benefits, and more.
Read our blog: Three Steps to Budget for Senior Care or download our guide Financial Planning for Retirement Living.
Read more: 7 Options to Pay for Senior Living
What meal options are offered?
Many memory care residents feel their best with a predictable routine. We work with our residents and their families to build a schedule that meets their needs and preferences for meals.
Every Senior Star community has a tailored dining program designed to encourage excellent nutrition and foster independence for our residents.
Our chefs work to create well-balanced meals with plenty of variety as well as familiar favorites. We incorporate hand-held food menus to promote independence with options to request vegetarian, gluten-free or kosher meals.
We’ve also know that red dishes have a positive impact on people living with Alzheimer’s, increasing their food intake by 25 percent. Our memory care meals are served on vibrant red fiesta ware dishes to appeal to our residents.
What activities are available for residents?
Activities involving the arts, games, physical exercise, and social interaction can boost mood and slow the progression of dementia. Each Senior Star community offers a variety of innovative programming throughout the day for residents.
Here are a few examples:
Music and Memory
Music wields remarkable power. It has the power to transcend language and — for moments at a time — music can even transcend Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This unique memory care program uses music as a way to stimulate the brain and engage with residents with custom playlists of the residents favorite toons of their youth.
Destination Stations
What is a day without the experience of purpose? We know that living a day filled with meaningful activity is of the utmost importance for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. We’ve designed our Memory Care neighborhood corridors so that residents are encouraged to become involved in some of the familiar actions. I.e. grocery shopping, a veteran destination station, a baby changing station, a gardening station and many more to help engage the residents in memory engaging activity.
Memory Support Courtyard/Backyard
Set in the safety of an enclosed secured courtyard, residents can enjoy the fragrance and taste of food fresh from the grill, the soothing sound of bubbling water, or the pleasure of working in raised flower beds — along with all of the wonderful memories these may evoke.
Lucynt Magic Table
An interactive projection and table combination that promotes cognitive stimulation through engagement, enhances eye-hand coordination, boosts recollection and memory, and eliminates stress through a safe and relaxing activity. Great opportunity for families to engage with their loved one during visits, especially the grandkids.
Purposeful Movements
There is a lifetime of joy to be found in the simple moments of everyday living. Senior Star brings this idea to life by celebrating the moments that create purpose and fulfillment in the lives of residents. It is a Senior Star way of life known as Purposeful Moments®.
Snoezelen® Multi-Sensory Environment
A place where control is in the resident’s hands, the Snoezelen room helps to engage the senses and may reduce anxiety or provide stimulation for those needing Alzheimer’s or dementia care.
Feel Confident About Memory Care
The team at Senior Star is here to guide you through every step of the process of making the decision to place a loved one in a memory care community. We want you to feel confident about your decision.
A tour is a great way to get a sense of what our wonderful communities have to offer.
Schedule your personalized tour or contact us to learn more.