Thanksgiving and Your Loved Ones
The holidays are a time for families to come together and to celebrate while looking ahead to the New Year and the changes it may bring. Over the past several years- all of us have struggled through the uncertainty of Covid, of shifting dynamics at home and abroad. These changes, this upset have disproportionately impacted older adults. So don’t be too surprised when you visit this holiday season if you notice that the gradual changes to your loved one’s health have suddenly accelerated.
There’s always a reason to wait, to be sure, before making a decision- individually or as a family- that a move to a safer and more structured environment may be appropriate. But delay may lead to fewer choices, so being prepared and knowing your immediate options will help you in making a decision which is so very diffucult to make:
Memory Care Assisted Living in Massachusetts offers housing, meals, security and personal care for adults who need help with activities of daily living like housekeeping and dressing. For people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, there are special care residences. Known as memory care, these communities can be an entire community or a special wing of assisted living.
Every memory care residence is required to provide a philosophy and mission statement that shares its goals for supporting residents*. These mission statements can be generic, often stating that the community is “committed to fulfilling the needs of residents”. They’re part of a longer, more specific list of disclosure items you’ll want to ask for when considering a memory care community. The list will tell you about services, activities, and policies at the residence, as well as costs, meals, and how visits are handled.
Memory care staff must have additional training in serving the needs of people with dementia. Other requirements specific to special care residences include a secure outdoor area for residents who may be prone to wandering.
(source: DementiaCareCentral.com)
Social Day Care Services provide individualized programs of recreational and social activities, and support for elders who require day-time supervision and assistance with daily care needs. This service includes assistance with mobility, grooming, and mealtime activities.
(source: MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs)
*The originator of memory care assisted living in Boston, the Mission of Rogerson House is to provide the highest quality professional care for Assisted Living residents – including those in our memory care Respite Stay program – and Day Program participants who need Alzheimer’s care, dementia care, or other memory care support. Rogerson House is also committed to helping the family members of our residents and day program participants as they navigate their way through the challenges of how their loved ones’ cognitive issues are impacting their own lives. The programs, staff training, and special design of Rogerson House all focus on maximizing the functional and cognitive abilities of those in our care, all in a positive personalized environment.