The professionals at Harbor Heritage, an adult family home provider in Gig Harbor, Washington , give you and your loved ones the highest-quality, dignified, and compassionate care. We understand there will come a time when you need to transfer a loved one from an adult family home into memory care. We know the complexities and emotional challenges families face and Harbor Heritage AFH in Gig Harbor is committed to helping with this transition.
What is the difference between assisted living and memory care?
- Assisted living supports individuals who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing and medication management, but the residents remain largely independent.
- A memory care facility, on the other hand, is designed for those experiencing memory loss because of dementia, Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairments.
- These facilities provide higher levels of specialized care and programs tailored to the unique needs of individuals with memory loss.
7 signs it might be time for memory care
There are a myriad of indicators it might be time to move your loved one into memory care, including:
- Increased confusion and disorientation. If your loved one is frequently confused about people, places and time that could be a sign of a cognitive decline.
- Changes in behavior or mood. Increased aggression, agitation, anxiety or withdrawal from normal activities could signal a need for more specialized care.
- Wandering or getting lost is dangerous, and if your loved one leaves home or gets lost, it might be time for the secure environment that a memory care facility offers.
- Difficulty with normal daily tasks. If your loved one struggles with personal hygiene, dressing, eating, or other activities associated with daily living they once managed.
- Difficulty communicating. If you notice a decline in verbal skills or the ability to communicate, this could be an indication a higher level of care is is needed.
- Changes in health. If you notice unexplained weight loss or injuries or mismanagement of medications, these could be indicators that memory care should become a consideration. Memory care provides structured dining plans, medication management and supervision from trained staff.
- Social withdrawal. If your loved one loses interest in activities and has social isolation this can hasten cognitive decline. A facility that offers specialized programs to foster engagement and socialization.
Make the transition from an adult family home or assisted living to memory care as easy as possible:
If you notice signs of cognitive decline in your loved one, discuss your concerns with the staff at their current living facility or with their doctor if they still live at home. They can assess your loved one’s needs and help determine what the best option is.
At Harbor Heritage AFH, we offer a nurturing, supportive and secure environment for individuals with memory loss. Our trained and compassionate caregivers provide personalized support, focusing on meaningful moments and enhancing the quality of life for each resident. We understand what a difficult decision this is and we’re here to provide support and guidance.