What Does a Day in Memory Care Look Like? Understanding Daily Routines and Activities
If you have grown up watching Hollywood, you might picture memory care as a place where somebody sits in a wheelchair and stares into a blank space throughout the day.
However, the reality is very different from what the movies depict. In reality, a memory care community ensures every resident is engaged throughout the day with personalized, one-to-one services. If you are looking for a secure environment for your loved one with a memory-related concern, consider looking into memory care communities.
But, you might wonder what a typical day looks like in memory care communities. In this post, we have discussed exactly that. Let’s get right to it!
Daily Routines and Activities That Support Residents
People with memory impairments like Alzheimer’s and dementia struggle with confusion, agitation, and distortion. To make it easy and comfortable for residents, memory care communities usually follow a consistent and similar routine each day.
Morning Routines
In the morning, residents wake up according to their own set schedules. Some residents like to wake up early while others prefer a relaxed morning. As the residents wake up, trained staff members assist them with grooming and dressing as needed.
After getting dressed, everyone gathers for breakfast in the dining room, where culinary service professionals take orders from each resident. Each menu features a range of nutritious options cooked by expert chefs to promote a healthy eating lifestyle. One of the best things about memory care communities is that they serve food in a home-like dining space so your loved one doesn’t feel alienated or away from home.
Moreover, trained staff members are available round-the-clock to assist any resident who struggles with eating, such as being unable to hold utensils or focus on the food.
Mid-Morning to Noon
Once breakfast is over, residents may tend to their morning exercises followed by daily routine activities, such as watching TV, reading a book, or listening to an audiobook.
If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, they can participate in more interactive activities like trivia and reminiscence groups. Those with more advanced memory-related issues have options to join musical concerts, sing-a-longs, and much more!
As each resident requires a different care level, each activity option is tailored to the individual needs, ensuring a higher quality of life for everyone.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, residents gather around for lunch, whether it’s dining together with their friends or sitting by themselves. After finishing their lunch, they may choose to return to their rooms to rest or tend to any scheduled appointments, like visiting a salon or barbershop. However, many residents use this time to spend on different types of therapies as needed.
In warm weather, your loved one may choose to relax outside on an enclosed outdoor patio or take a walk in flower gardens. Memory care communities may also plan an outing to a nearby park ensuring residents stay active and happy.
Evening
As the day ends, culinary experts serve mouthwatering, nutritious dinners to the residents. Dinner is going to be the best time for your loved one to socialize and talk about their day with their neighbor friends. Some memory care communities also offer private dining rooms so you may come visit and celebrate any special occasion with your senior family member.
After dinner, many residents will return to their rooms to watch their favorite TV show, attend a call from a family, or take medication and go to bed. Other residents prefer to enjoy a special evening program like musical concerts, dance performances, travelogue presentations, and more.
However, to reduce the risk of sundowning for dementia patients, which usually occurs as daylight fades, all programs conclude early. With that, everyone goes back to their apartments to prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Seeking Specialized Memory Support for Your Loved One? Visit The Harrison of Stuart in Florida Today!
Seeing your loved ones with memory-related concerns struggle with Alzheimer’s or dementia and watching them lose their ability to live safely on their own can be a painful and saddening experience. Ultimately, limiting their activities may start to seem like a viable option so they don’t leave the house and wander around. However, that is not your only option.
A memory care community like The Harrison of Stuart Assisted Living & Memory Care can offer a safe, comforting environment so that your loved ones maintain their ability to live a meaningful life and continue to enjoy each day to the fullest. Here at The Harrison of Stuart, we focus on providing an enriching and engaging lifestyle for your loved one struggling with memory-related concerns. Schedule a tour to learn more about our memory care community.
