When your loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, the world feels like it stops spinning. Unfortunately, family members can find themselves learning to cope with their grief as well as trying to anticipate any to-do items that they will need to take care of now or the immediate future. Fortunately, thanks to more awareness, adults are receiving a dementia diagnosis earlier in the disease, offering them the opportunity to advocate for their own futures, including where to live when it becomes unsafe or unfulfilling at home.

You can tour memory care communities near you, and you should plan to tour your favorites more than once. While you are there, you’ll not only see what daily life is like, but you will also meet with key team members and have the opportunity to ask questions. Here is a list of questions to add to your must-ask list.

What type of apartments are available?

Most memory care communities offer private studio or one-bedroom floor plans. You’ll want to find a floor plan that will meet your loved one’s preferences and needs, including having an en suite bathroom so they have privacy.

What type of dementia education does your team take?

Memory care communities are highly specialized senior living communities. All team members should take initial education modules about the dementia process and best practices for care when they begin employment. Then, they should have regular, ongoing training about dementia care throughout their tenure. Ask about the type of training required, including topics that might pertain to your loved one’s situation.

What’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

Dining in a memory care community is a staple of the day’s routine. Be sure to grab a copy of the community’s menu and ask if there are plenty of ways for your loved one to make their own decisions about what is on their plate. If your loved one has medically prescribed dietary needs, now is the time to address that as well to ensure the community can meet those needs.

What does a typical day look like here?

Staying pleasantly busy can keep anxiety and worry away. Well planned events and opportunities can also be creatively and cognitively stimulating, as well as improve mobility. Ask to see a copy of the community’s event calendar and double check to see if activities are planned every day, including weekends. Evening activities are also a bonus. If you don’t see something your loved one enjoys doing, mention it. Most communities are always happy to implement activity suggestions, especially if they meet the needs of the residents who live there.

When can I visit?

Family participation should be a part of life at any exceptional senior living community. Visiting hours should be liberal, and there should be opportunities for family members to participate in special events with their loved one. Look for family dinners, concerts, or craft workshops on the calendar as well as educational opportunities, like family support groups or presentations from physicians.

How do you learn more about my loved one?

A hallmark of an outstanding memory care community is the personalization of care for each individual resident. Team members work hard to find unique ways to incorporate the previous interests and history into interventions and routines. Look for a community that involves the family in a comprehensive living history assessment prior to move-in, as well as continuous informal assessments once the resident has settled in.

When you’re ready to tour exceptional memory care living, contact a Ciel community near you. Our Encore memory care program is based on best practices and is tailored to each resident. We’d love to show you our approach in action and answer any of your questions.