Memory Care near Abbotsford, BC

Memory Care in Abbotsford, BC

Memory loss can be hard for anyone to accept, but when your loved one begins to display the symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's, it's time to find them a memory care facility. Memory impairment requires a lot of looking after to ensure your loved one's safety, and memory care facilities are specifically trained to handle memory impairment situations. For instance, if your loved one has severe mood swings that make them aggressive, properly trained staff will use techniques such as distraction and redirection to help keep them calm. Even if your loved one's memory loss is less severe, memory care therapies can help slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer's, giving them a comfortable life, and lengthening their periods of lucidness. Memory care is the right choice for any seniors experiencing memory impairment beyond what's normal for their age.

More About Abbotsford

Abbotsford doesn't stand out much compared to other cities in Canada, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Cities with low profiles are often safer to live in, and keep large crowds at bay, which, for a big city, is hard to do. Abbotsford is the largest community in British Columbia, and it houses a university, an international airport, and an air show. It does have an art scene, so residents have plenty to do when they want a night out on the town.

Doing What's Best for Your Loved One

It's not just seniors who have a hard time with the decision to enter memory care. Families often want to help their loved ones themselves, but that doesn't always work out. Despite your desire to care for a loved one, you have responsibilities that take up your time. As your loved one ages, it becomes harder for you to manage and cope with it all, especially if their memory impairment gets worse. You have to think of what's best for them, and if you can't commit to the level of care they need, then you must consider other options. Memory care provides seniors with a social, supportive environment, and it provides therapies that help seniors manage their memory loss symptoms. Your loved one can have a comfortable life while staying in a memory care community, you just have to find one that suits them best.

Choosing the Right Community

Your focus should be on finding the right memory care community for your loved one. First of all, remember that it's your loved one who will be living in the community, not you. Any decisions you make must be for their benefit and not your own. Decide what you and your loved one want from a memory care community. This may include things such as a separate wing, secured facility, a varied menu that offers high quality food, options for day trips, and so on. Once you have a few communities picked out, contact them to schedule tours. It's important to know what the community's policies are, and whether you agree with them. Also, ensure that the community offers activities your loved one enjoys, the apartment is comfortable and spacious enough for them to rest easy, and determine what therapies are available for memory impairment. Finally, ensure that there is adequate staff on hand at all times. Memory care requires more staff than residents of assisted living or retirement homes typically require. If there are separate wings within these facilities, there should be a completely separate staff with at least two staff members for every one resident ratio.

Paying for Care

Paying for memory care might be a challenge for some, but if you plan ahead, it's not that bad. Long-term care insurance is the best way to go as it covers the majority of senior care each month. However, most Canadian insurance companies won't insure seniors with preexisting conditions, so you want to look into this before the health issues arise. After insurance, government benefits are the next best option. If you're not sure what your loved one qualifies for, you should reach out to their pension administrator or other aid personnel to determine their benefits. Only as a last resort should you consider paying for memory care out of pocket. Most families don't have enough saved up to continue long-term payments, and eventually, they may run out of funds. That could result in your loved one being discharged from the community, so it's best to start planning early, and combine several options to help cover costs.

Some seniors may not like the idea of moving into memory care, and in some cases, it could be because they don't remember they need the assistance. When you notice signs that your loved one is forgetting more than is normal for their age, it's best to find them a comfortable memory care community. The staff will help them with their daily activities such as bathing, dressing, cleaning, cooking, and laundry, and at the same time, they'll receive therapy to help slow the progression of their memory impairment. All of this is done in a social environment of their peers who are all experiencing the same difficulties. It will help them cope, and it will help them lead a more normal, fulfilled life.