How to Find a Memory Care Facility

Think back to your first day of school. For many, it began with a parent or loved one walking you to the bus stop or classroom—an emotional moment of trust as they placed your care in someone else’s hands. Fast forward to today, and the roles may have reversed. Now, you may find yourself searching for a place that can provide the same level of care and trust—this time, for your parent or loved one.

Choosing a memory care facility isn’t just a practical decision—it’s a deeply personal one. It marks a new chapter, not only for your loved one but for you as well. This guide is here to help you navigate that journey with confidence, compassion, and clarity.

What Does Memory Care Look Like?A safe, structured environment with the mission of supporting those who experience Dementia/Alzheimer's or other memory related conditions with genuine compassion. Memory care conditions can be more potent for some patients than others, but with consistent, routine attention, comfortable living and preserved cognitive function are achieved. In this article, we will be identifying the necessary steps you can take to find the right memory care facility for your loved one(s).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steps to Consider:

1. Ensure a Clear Understanding of Needs

Although it can be a touchy topic, recognizing the stage of memory loss of your loved one is a good place to start. It is essential that you, your loved one, and your loved one’s doctor have an honest conversation about this because a memory care facility needs these details to provide a meaningful, thorough memory care service. Adding to that, memory care facilities must use this information to determine how much care is needed. This assistance can include help with bathing, eating, dressing, cleaning, and medication management, just to name a few.

2. Research

Doing your due diligence in research is a must when it comes to the memory care facility search. Use credible directories like the Community Resource Finder from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) who are in close relations to the Alzheimer Association. You could also use the Senior Advisor Search to receive a detailed breakdown of various facilities near and far. Other methods of research include respectable online reviews via Google Reviews, Quora, or Reddit. A final mode of research to consider is simply collecting word-of-mouth referrals from trusted advisors, such as a family doctor, senior care professionals, friends and other family members who have gone through similar situations.

3. Visit Facilities and Open-House Opportunities

While you visit these facilities, make extra efforts to observe staff and resident behaviors. You really want to see how residents are treated overall and how well staff are trained, especially when handling precious cargo like your loved ones. Don’t be afraid to look around for facility cleanliness/upkeep and keep an eye out for safety controls that may apply to your loved one.

In terms of actual living space, take note of the layout and room organization to really imagine your loved one living there. Most importantly, ask prepared, thoughtful questions to better help your understanding of what the facility offers. This may even include company policies and contractual obligations from both parties where I’m certain you don’t want to be hit with any surprises.

4. Evaluate Finances

This final step can really guide you in the right direction of finding the right memory care facility that meets all your needs, including cost. Knowing your budgeted comfort zone from the beginning can save you a lot of time and heartache in the search, including falling for a facility you and/or your loved one cannot afford. You must understand your current and projected financial expenses to see what satisfies your loved one’s needs. It’s also a great idea to ask potential facilities for a detailed financial breakdown and scenario opportunities to gauge what is a possibility. Ask prepared, detailed questions about what is included and not included with their rates. It’s also recommended to identify potential financial support channels to help you along this journey.

How to Find the RIGHT Memory Care Facility

Anyone can load up their web browser and do a simple memory care facility search. Sure, you’ll get many results, but you won’t have much insight into what you're looking for. Here’s a checklist which describes exactly what to think about:

• Security

Six out of 10 individuals with a form of memory loss are typically prone to aimless wandering, so resident safety is priority #1. Take note of security measures like alarmed doors, code-entry elevators/hallways, and even enclosed outdoor spaces (fences and/or gates) to make sure your loved one isn’t left unmonitored. There is also certain check in/check out systems that memory care facilities should use, like “WanderGuard” for example. WanderGuard is a comfortable bracelet that memory care residents wear which triggers alarmed doors/elevators to alert caregivers to cater to unattended residents.

• On-Demand Employee Availability

• Does it Feel Like Home?

How Acts Retirement-Life Communities Satisfies These Memory Care Needs

• Ethical Security

Acts provides non-intrusive employee assistance and monitoring tools that abides by what is called “Resident Rights.” This is a guideline that details everything a resident is entitled to at Acts to make sure the resident is being treated fairly, respectfully, and with dignity. Additionally, Acts provides up-to-date security measures like the WanderGuard system for residents to have freedom to go wherever they please within safe boundaries.

• 24/7 Compassionate Support

With dedicated nurses, nurse aides, medical dietary aides, and housekeeping guidance, your loved one will be in great hands surrounded by people who view and treat your loved one as family of their own. A strong example is called the “Best Friends” approach to memory care. With extensive training, Acts team members are strongly encouraged to form interactive, genuine, and meaningful connections that make residents feel comfortable. Companionship, especially in a time of transition, can be extremely effective in memory care. At Acts, there’s a strong emphasis on teamwork through all levels of occupations to guarantee the resident receives the best care possible. Acts team members believe in a proactive, preventive approach, focusing on slowing cognitive losses which is highly personalized to promote feelings of empowerment and purpose for your loved one. In fact, Acts recognizes how to support residents of all sorts while prioritizing inclusivity. At Acts, we want to shift the focus from residents getting by with dementia to residents living with dementia. Residents living with dementia are individuals with their entire lives behind them, each with unique, fascinating interests and skills waiting to be tapped into. Essentially, Acts communities act as a catalyst to what’s already there to not only slow memory loss, but to continue growing retirees as individuals.

• Emphasis on Community 

Instead of “memory care facilities,” Acts describes them as neighborhoods, full of activities, dining experiences, and friendly neighbors. These experiences include:

1. Bingo Nights
2. Chair Exercises
3. Arts and Crafts Opportunities
4. The infamous “Magic Table” experience
5. Movie Nights
6. “Musical Rewind” Hours
7. Talent Shows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts has plenty of activities where a resident will certainly find joy in something, these are just to name a handful!

• Thoughtful Living Areas

Acts offer personalized, private and semi-private living areas (find the right fit for you/your loved one) with comfort being the top priority in this case. There is a neighborhood style layout reducing feelings of isolation/loneliness. Building onto that idea, Acts includes shared spaces that represent living rooms with fireplaces, TV areas, and/or mini libraries for social engagement opportunities. Not to mention the community dining experience where exceptional, nutritious dining is offered with a daily change in food options is available that appeals to residents’ preferences. For residents with particular eating needs, there are specialized utensils and adaptive equipment for assistance.

50+ Years of Acts Retirement Lifestyle Success

With more than 50 years as a pre-eminent provider of services to older adults, Acts already has the credibility but considering it’s a not-for-profit organization with a mission-driven approach of loving-kindness, residents’ care, comfortability, and overall satisfaction is the focal point. Across 28 senior care neighborhoods in 9 states, Acts is able to maintain a 5-star/5-star Medicare rating!  As you plan for your future, Acts is an organization you can depend on and trust. Find a location at Acts Memory Care Services.