A Better Understanding of Memory Care at Santa Marta

Misplacing car keys or forgetting someone’s name as we age isn’t unusual. But if you start to notice more profound memory loss or cognitive impairment in a loved one, how do you know if it’s normal aging or the early signs of dementia that require memory care? This blog post will discuss some of the signs your loved one needs memory care (also referred to as Alzheimer’s care) and the benefits of choosing a community like Santa Marta that has a dedicated memory care neighborhood.

When does someone need memory care?

Early signs your loved one may benefit from moving to a memory care facility include:

1. More forgetful: Forgetting recently learned information is one of the common early signs of dementia. Other signs include forgetting important dates or events, repeating the same questions over and over, and the increased use of memory aids.
2. Problems with numbers: Look for changes in your loved one’s ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers like following a familiar recipe, keeping track of monthly bills and difficulty concentrating.
3. Problems with familiar tasks: It can become hard to complete daily tasks like having trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
4. Time/place confusion: Your loved one may be losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They could also have trouble understanding something if it’s not happening immediately, or they might forget where they are or how they got there.
5. Difficulty with vision and distance: Dementia can cause trouble with balance or reading. Your loved one could also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast.
6. Trouble with language: Notice if your family member has trouble following or joining a conversation. Or if they stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or even repeat themselves. They could even have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name.
7. Misplacing things: Someone with dementia could start to put things in unusual places and be unable to retrace their steps to find them again. As the disease progresses, they could start to accuse others of stealing.
8. Poor judgment: Look for changes in judgment or decision-making, including problems dealing with money or paying less attention to grooming.
9. Withdrawal: If your loved one has difficulty holding or following a conversation, they might withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. It may also mean having trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
10. Mood and personality changes: Your family member may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. And they could be easily upset at home, with friends, or when out of their comfort zone.

Benefits of a Memory Care Community

Memory care communities promote independence in a safe and homelike setting. Residents receive assistance with activities of daily living and around-the-clock personalized care from a knowledgeable, well-trained staff. Other benefits include:
Total well-being: Communities can offer programs geared specifically to residents with memory loss to enhance their physical, social, emotional, spiritual and intellectual well-being. They can also address wandering, memory impairment and other dementia-related behaviors. 

Improved quality of life: Memory care programs offer increased wellness opportunities and balanced nutrition, as well as more social interactions and independence. Services such as daily meals, housekeeping, laundry and medication management are provided. Living in a community can often result in fewer injuries, falls and visits to hospitals than living at home.

Social opportunities: Memory care communities feature a level of security necessary to keep residents safe, while allowing them to stay socially and intellectually active.

Peace of mind: Knowing your loved one is under the 24-hour care of trained professionals will offer you and your family peace of mind. 

Memory Care at Santa Marta

In addition to all the benefits listed above of choosing a community with memory care, at Santa Marta, we’re always incorporating the latest technology and research into our memory care including:

• Landmarks for Living® : This nationally recognized program emphasizes each Resident’s life experiences and helps them retain and restore their independence. 
• MUSIC & MEMORY®: Based on neuroscience research about how the brain responds to music, this program uses personally curated digital playlists to enliven Residents’ spirits and tap into deep, heartfelt memories. 
• PARO Pets: This is based on research that interaction with pets, including robotic animals, can improve the psychological health of dementia patients. We feature two PARO pet seals, Benedetto “Bene” and Bella. Each PARO can sense light and dark, when they’re being stroked, and what posture is best for being held. They can also recognize the direction of voice and words such as name, greetings and praise.

How Much Does Memory Care Cost? 

According to 2021 National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) statistics, the average monthly cost for memory care in the United States is $6,935. Costs vary state to state and are affected by the level of care provided. Most families accessing memory care for a loved one must pay out of pocket for these services. 

Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans will pay for medical care the facility provides, but not room and board or personal care. Veterans benefits typically help cover the cost for eligible veterans and surviving spouses who are over age 65. Once your loved one no longer has any assets, Medicaid may offer some coverage for long-term care, but only if the facility accepts it. 

Learn How to Save on Memory Care at Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offering independent living and higher levels of living. Our Life Care contract is available only to those who move directly into independent living and have no care needs at the time they move in. If they later need assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or memory care, they’ll receive it on campus with little to no increase in their monthly fee. Area seniors can also be directly admitted to higher levels of living at our faith-based community with no entrance fee and no Life Care – just a flat monthly fee.  

Right now, depending on your loved one’s needs, you could save $750 to $1,000/month on memory care at Santa Marta. To learn more about memory care at Santa Marta or our limited-time savings, contact us here.