If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with a memory disease, such as Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you may want to learn about enhanced memory care services.
Being the caregiver of a loved one experiencing symptoms of memory loss, confusion, depression, and anxiety can be challenging. Going at it alone can even lead to caregiver burnout.
Fortunately, the right memory care community can offer you and your family members all of the support you need.
With enhanced memory care services, your loved one can maintain their quality of life, age with dignity and comfort, and receive around-the-clock loving care.
Learn about memory care, how it can help your senior loved one, and what type of services and amenities are available.
What is memory care?
A senior in the first stages of a memory disease may not need much support or help. As their disease progresses, however, their needs will change, and they will eventually require memory care services.
Memory care offers seniors a safe and comfortable environment where they can receive long-term specialized care.
At Kensington Park Senior Living, residents living in our assisted living community may make a smooth transition into The Kensington Club and then to one of our memory care neighborhoods. The Kensington Club is a bridge to the next level of care, designed specifically for assisted living residents when mild forgetfulness has begun to interfere with a resident’s daily life. The program focuses on strong relationship-building and friendships, and fostering deep engagement and connection between residents while offering gentle reminders and cues every step of the way. The Kensington Club’s individualized support makes every day brighter for Assisted Living residents – increasing their confidence, comfort and trust, while offering peace of mind to their families.
How memory care helps seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
Seniors with a memory disease require a higher level of care than caregivers and most assisted living communities can offer.
Memory care communities are beneficial because they provide 24-hour supervision, an on-site nurse, secure grounds to prevent wandering, and activities that stimulate memory and positive surroundings, such as arts and crafts, music, games, and horticultural therapy.
While Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are neurodegenerative diseases that will progress in time, such stimulation and support may slow the disease’s progression.
Memory care residents will receive specialized and individualized care as each has distinctive needs and personalities. As a senior’s disease worsens, their needs will change. A highly trained staff can adapt to these changes and provide the necessary care.
Suppose your senior loved one shows signs of memory loss but is still quite independent. In that case, they will reap the most benefits by transitioning to the neighborhood Connections, designed for seniors in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Our goal is to help residents stay engaged in activities that give meaning and purpose to their lives. Connections provides a fully secured environment to maximize safety in an intimate, home-like living space that fosters calmness and comfort. The neighborhood has porches, a patio, and garden areas to enable residents to freely enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Kensington Park also offers wander management technology to manage residents’ whereabouts while they move about freely.
For those in the later stages, the Haven neighborhood would be beneficial, as it offers the highest level of care and assistance. Our goal is to maximize comfort, minimize agitation, and soothe compassionately. The Haven neighborhood provides cozy and intimate living spaces that enable residents to explore safely and freely. Residents will enjoy abundant natural light and a fully secure outdoor terrace to create a cheerful environment. We also make sure the kitchen is filled with happy sounds and smells of home, such as bread baking, music, laughter, and soft voices to soothe and please the senses.
Memory care services and amenities
At an enhanced memory care community, care providers can help memory care residents with bathing, eating, taking medications, laundry, housekeeping, mobility, comfort, and other personal care services.
We promote and encourage independence in even the later stages of memory disease while remaining close by if a resident needs assistance. Helping seniors maintain their independence makes them feel happier, healthier, and more confident.
There is always a calendar full of fun life-enrichment activities and opportunities to socialize, guaranteeing your senior loved one will never be lonely or isolated.
With our on-site rehabilitation services, your senior loved one can receive professional help without ever leaving their community.
Being in a familiar physical environment can make seniors feel safer and more relaxed.
Dining services are available all day and can provide seniors with specialty diets, such as low-sodium, gluten-free, heart healthy, and pureed. Maintaining a healthy diet can help seniors maintain their heart and brain health. Kensington Park also has a registered dietician on staff that works on the menu with our Executive Chef as well as meets with residents individually to determine a diet that best meets their needs.
Those in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will often benefit from a pureed diet, as chewing and swallowing can be difficult and dangerous.
Specializing training for care teams
Kensington Park Senior Living ensures its team receives the proper training to care for memory care residents who need even the highest level of care.
With a high-acuity program in place, our professionals will observe residents for any changes in their mental, emotional, or physical health.
Other communities that do not specialize in high-acuity care will not be able to tend to resident needs as they progress, often resulting in the resident needing to transfer to another assisted living facility.
Our care providers can help your senior loved one manage their symptoms by first using behavioral intervention, then administering medication, and offering them proper care and treatment.
Training and specialized skills allow our residents to age in place without transferring anywhere else.
Partnering with Genesis Rehabilitation has made it possible for our residents to participate in speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Rehabilitation specialists offer these services to even seniors with complex memory loss.
Massage therapists, certified personal trainers, music therapists, brain wellness coordinators, and professional hairstylists are also available to promote wellness, to help your senior loved one relax, and look and feel their best.
Kensington Park adapts to our resident’s changing needs
Kensington Park Senior Living is an independent living, assisted living, and memory care community, located in south Kensington, Maryland.
Our memory care communities offer you and your family peace of mind—we stand by Our Promise to love and care for your family members as we do our own.
As a caregiver or family member of a loved one experiencing memory loss, it can be challenging to care for them alone and transition them to a new home.
We invite family members to check out our beautiful grounds so that you feel confident that your loved one is in good hands.
You will find that our community is equipped to care for residents in all stages of their lives.
From those who are primarily independent to those who need the highest level of specialized care, we have a safe home for them.
Your senior loved one will be happy, comfortable, and active with life-enrichment activities, creative art and music therapies, a beauty salon, delicious meal services, and individualized therapy plans.
Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about our cozy and secure memory care neighborhoods and homes.