Memory Care Facilities in San Diego
Elder Answers senior placement service knows and works with all the San Diego County memory care facilities, also called dementia care or Alzheimer’s care.
If your loved one is suffering from memory loss and you’re looking for care, Elder Answers is here to help your family.
If your loved one has dementia, you probably have lots of questions about memory care. The details below will help.
What Is Dementia Care In San Diego?
Memory care facilities are unique. They are not assisted living. They are specialized care communities, or homes, that cater to the needs of seniors with all types of cognitive loss. All day to day activities are designed with their specific needs in mind.
San Diego dementia care communities are structured to keep seniors safe with doors and perimeters that are secured.
All hygiene and personal care needs are provided by trained care staff. And all activities and programs should enhance quality of life, while maintaining a senior’s need for independence, even with cognitive challenges.
There are over 100 memory care facilities throughout San Diego County, and each one will have a different look, feel and philosophy, so it’s important to choose wisely.
In San Diego County, memory care can take place in a community solely for seniors with cognitive loss. It can also take place in a special unit or wing of an assisted living building*.
*This can be a good choice for a senior with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or the early stages of dementia.
Sometimes at this stage, remaining in assisted living may still be more appropriate. Then if and when cognitive function declines, that person can transition from assisted living to memory care.
Most board and care homes also care for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
How Do You Know It’s Time for Memory Care?
If your loved one has dementia, you know how challenging their care can be. Their cognitive loss may be due to Alzheimer’s Disease, or it may be due to dementia caused by other factors.
With most types of dementia, every day activities like getting dressed, eating, bathing, and using the toilet can become more and more difficult as time goes on.
Sleep, for both the person with dementia, and their caregiver, becomes difficult, leading to stressful days.
Caring for someone with dementia can be a full-time job. It not only requires expertise and skill, but lots of time and patience. And this is especially difficult when the caregiver is also a spouse or family member.
The timing of any dementia care placement in San Diego is an individual decision. But one critical factor to consider is the health and safety of the caregiver.
It’s very common for a caregiver to lose their health, or even their life, before the senior with dementia, due to the huge strain caregiving puts on a person.
Please don’t wait until that happens.
Memory Care Checklist for Visiting Dementia Care Facilities in San Diego
- Is the building secure and easy to navigate?
- Are there outside areas accessible to residents?
- What are the bedrooms and bathrooms like and how are they set up? Shared, private, shower or no shower?
- Is each resident given an individual plan of care?
- Is there any type of care the community cannot provide?
- How are medical emergencies handled?
- How often does care staff check on residents?
- What are visiting hours?
- How much does the community cost?
- Will there be any additional or hidden fees?
- What kind of training does the staff have?
- Do they have a nurse on staff or on site?
- Is there a doctor on staff?
- Is there a psychologist on staff?
- Does the staff appear knowledgeable? Warm and caring?
- What is the caregiver to resident ratio?
- What is the daily schedule and what kind of activities does it include?
- How does the community “feel” to you? Does it feel like somewhere your loved one will be able to eventually call home?
- When was the last licensing inspection? You may ask to see a report.
