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There are a number of memory care facilitator jobs available for interested individuals. But how does each position meet the needs of the patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory loss problems?

Executive Director

The executive director will manage the assisted living and memory care facility. Thus, he or she needs to fulfill the following functions.

• Maintains the operation of the facility, coordinates, directs, and supervises all activities and services
• Complies with the federal, local, and state standards for the operation of the facility
• Monitors the procedures and policies, employee morale, and public relations
• Communicates the facility philosophies and all policies to staff and residents

Memory Care Coordinator

It is the job of the memory care coordinator to manage the overall operation of the unit based on the needs of the residents, government regulations, and company policies and procedures.

Likewise, it is his or her primary function to develop and facilitate programming to meet the needs of the residents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

• Build meaningful relationships with a number of seniors and their families by assisting with activities of daily living
• Attend to individual care needs and know the unique preferences and personalities
• Notify management of changes in condition and suggest adjustments in the level of care and services
• Assist residents in life skills and other life-enriching activities indicated on the individual profile.
• Manage the process of assessment to decide the levels of care and staff
• Ensure that the community will follow all federal, local, and state laws and regulations regarding resident care and services
• Assist the executive director in the completion of the annual community budget
• Accomplish the team member engagement goals and lead in the engagement improvement planning sessions
• Keep updated in the professional developments of the field by attending conferences, reading, joining in the training sessions

Resident Care Coordinator

• Advocating the concept of the designated care manager all through the neighborhoods by hiring, recruiting, training, and coaching a high-quality team
• Provide recognition and create an engaged culture for the team members, as residents and families become an important part of the leadership role

Memory Care Program Facilitator

As a memory care facilitator, the job requires the development, coordination, and implementation of programs and services for residents with cognitive impairment. It is also his or her job to provide a therapeutic environment that maintains the highest level of well-being of the body, mind, and spirit of each resident. 

• Make a difference in the lives of patients being served by providing care and compassion
• Act as a positive teammate to colleagues by assisting new teammates onboard
• Ensure the delivery of compassionate quality care approach to residents
• Protect and promote residents’ rights in all interactions with families and residents being a role model for the center
• Participate in the interdisciplinary team in the development and maintenance of the social service and activity portions of the plan as a member to care for each resident

As a memory care facilitator, it is also his or her responsibility to oversee the activities of the memory care unit. At the same time, he or she directly supervises all the staff as necessary and reports to the executive director.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Someone in the world will develop dementia every 3 seconds, so it’s no surprise that the number of people living with the condition is expected to reach 152 million by 2050. But while dementia still baffles medical experts, any memory care facilitator would agree that embracing these five healthy brain exercises would help delay memory loss or the onset of dementia:

Learn and re-learn

Like they say, you can never stop learning. Even if you already have a degree and you have a lot up your sleeve, there’s still room for more knowledge. Sign up for online classes, read about your favorite subject and even write your thoughts on a journal. You can never be too old or busy to add a new skill on your list.

Practice a new language

According to research, people who learned a new language showed better concentration and better brain function than those who only knew one language. And you don’t need to be in a classroom to learn a new language because there are a lot of online language courses that allow you to spend some time each day to learn a new language.

Learn a musical instrument

Any memory care facilitator would highly recommend learning a musical instrument because it is considered the ultimate brain exercise. According to research, playing an instrument doesn’t only keep your mind sharp, but it also forces your brain to really work considering that you’re learning something that’s unfamiliar territory.

A study by the University of Montreal even revealed that people who played an instrument have faster reaction times and it helps prevent cognitive slips.

Work on puzzles

Sudoko is a highly recommended puzzle game, especially for the elderly because it really makes the brain work by fitting the numbers in a box with a very specific order. This game helps sharpen thinking skills and prolong your memory. You can also learn a new card or board game and play it with your family. Games like Monopoly and Chess have also been proven to improve cognitive thinking and improve decision-making skills.

Read, read, read

You can never put too much emphasis on the benefits of reading at any age. When you read, you are not only learning new things but you are also giving your brain a chance to function properly.

Try reading problem-solving mysteries that allows you to think deeply about how you can solve a problem, which is not only a great exercise but also a smart way to entertain yourself.

Although dementia can happen to anyone, you can always protect yourself from it or slow down the progression of the disease by keeping your brain active with these exercises.

The trick here is to always find ways to stop your brain from being stagnant. And if you have a loved one who is susceptible to getting dementia, help him stay active by giving him activities that allow him to have fun while giving his brain a good exercise.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Knowing and understanding the terminologies often used in senior living will guide you in making a better decision when the time comes to plan for your future. This is especially true with regards to the names and acronyms of agencies that are responsible for ensuring the safety of seniors.

Senior Living Terms and Definitions

Accreditation

This refers to a designation or seal of approval that a facility receives from an independent governing body. This indicates that a community or service provider has met specific requirements set by the controlling body.

This guarantees that a care home has the required equipment, accommodation, and staff as designated by the governing body.

American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHCA)

This non-profit professional membership association provides care administrators with educational programming, career development, and certification opportunities. A carer certified by the ACHCA has received the proper training and passed.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

This refers to any form of assistance provided to help a senior perform daily life-supporting tasks. Examples of which are assistance with using the toilet, bathing, dressing, eating, and moving around.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Passed by Congress in 1980, the law is designed to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. It outlines a comprehensive and clear set of rules.

Adult Daycare

This refers to organizations that provide structured programs for aging individuals. These include stimulation of social activities and even rehab services for emotionally or physically disabled elderly.

Adult Family Home

This is a facility that meets the following criteria:

• Private, home-like setting
• Located in a residential neighborhood
• Serves only a limited number of residents
• Care is provided by live-in caretakers
• Provides laundry, group meals, and housekeeping

Services provided in an adult home vary from one facility to another. The facility is also known as:

• Board and care home
• Group home
• Adult foster care
• Residential care facility
• Personal care home

Aging in Place

This means seniors continue to live at home or with a family despite the decline in their mental and physical health. This usually involves renovating a home to make it suitable for senior living and hiring the services of in-home caregivers.

Assisted Living

This refers to a kind of senior living facility where housing, healthcare, and personalized support services are provided to seniors. Care programs are designed to help seniors with their daily activities and cater to their needs.

Administrator

This refers to a licensed professional that is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a nursing home independent living, assisted living, and other care communities.

Caregiver

Any person who cares for another individual, whether a trained caregiver or a family member.

Charge Nurse

A Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who supervises nursing care or hospital unit. Their main task is to supervise the nursing staff and their schedules. They also provide care to residents in a caring community.

Concierge Service

This service is available in most high-end senior care facilities. The role involves:

• Acquiring resources
• Arranging activities for seniors
• Providing advice in improving a senior’s quality of life

Continuum of Care

This refers to a wide range of care services designed to assist individuals throughout different health care requirements. Examples of such services are home care, hospice, nursing care, and assisted living.

There are plenty of other terminologies used in the aging sector, but the ones above should help you get started.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Alzheimer’s disease is affecting more people, especially with the baby boomer population now in their later adulthood years. In fact, someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds and about 500,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease will be diagnosed in the United States this year.

With these staggering statistics in mind, the need to learn about the different facilities for Alzheimer’s and what they provide has never been more important, especially if you have a loved one who is diagnosed with this disease.

When choosing the right place from a list of facilities for Alzheimer’s, here are five things that you should look for:

Excellent Staffing

The first and probably most important thing that all facilities for Alzheimer’s should provide is an excellent staff. All members of the health care team should recognize that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease are unique and that their care should be personalized to ensure that their specific needs are met.

Facilities should have physicians and nurses on the premises at all times to cater to emergencies and the ration of residents to staff should be adequate so proper care can be given to each individual.

A Good Living Environment

The decision to move into an Alzheimer’s facility is a huge step for any individual. This is why it’s very important to make sure that he will be provided with the right living environment that is clean, easy to navigate and has amenities like family visiting areas and indoor and outdoor spaces where residents can still have a great time and never feel like they’re far from home.

Efficient Services

Since every individual with Alzheimer’s is unique, the facility should provide services that are created around the specific health and behavioral needs of the resident. Activities should be planned every day, on the weekends and during evenings, all while taking into consideration the needs, abilities, and interests of the individual.

Physical, speech, recreational and occupational therapies should also be accessible and care planning sessions should be done regularly to monitor the condition of the resident. Transportation is also a must for when residents have to go to medical appointments or shop for personal items.

Healthy and Well-Prepared Meals

Since most individuals with Alzheimer’s already have difficulty cooking their own food, all facilities for Alzheimer’s should provide for the residents’ meals and snacks.

It’s good to have a weekly menu laid out to ensure that the food served by the facility meets the health requirements of the resident. A good dining environment should also be provided and family and friends should be given the opportunity to join at mealtime when they’re around.

Good Policies

Finally, as with any facility, an Alzheimer’s facility should have good policies that will ensure the quality of life of a resident during his stay.

Aside from involving the family in the care of the patient, a facility should have policies for every aspect of a resident’s care including continuing care, aging in place policies and even hospice care.

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Many people might may get confused about the difference between continuing care and independent living for seniors. Well, it is best to know about both senior housing options to be able to determine which one would suit the needs of your senior loved one.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

These are retirement communities with accommodations for assisted living, independent living, and nursing home care, providing residents continuing care. Your elderly family member can spend his or her entire life in these communities, as well as move between levels of care if needed.

Basically, continuing care of life plan communities accepts older adults who are healthy. Although settings can vary, most have activity centers, common dining room, gyms, outdoor recreation, and swimming pools, among others.

Living spaces can differ which include but not limited to apartments, cottages, clusters, duplexes, and townhouses. However, choosing a continuing care retirement community can be costly. In fact, individuals with low or middle income and assets usually can’t afford these senior housing options.

Benefits of a Continuing Care Retirement Community

• All-inclusive community
• Access to medical services
• Couples can stay close
• Independent living
• Peace of mind for family
• Social network

These features are very similar to a full amenity resort or hotel, which greatly fit seniors who want to age in place but without a support system to do so. Residents can also enjoy maintenance-free living with all the freedom of their own. They include housekeeping, house maintenance, laundry, meals, security, transportation, and some utilities included in the package.

Moreover, seniors can take advantage of a huge social network of people with the same interests. This is basically a good option for single or widowed seniors transitioning to a continuing care facility in their retirement. Seniors can also live their lives with the added security of a health care support system.

They also have a lot of flexibility to offer for spouses or partners with various medical and care needs. This is suitable for those couples with different needs in which continuing care retirement communities can meet without letting them live apart from each other.

Benefits of Independent Living For Senior Housing

In contrast to continuing care retirement communities, independent living as one of many senior housing options is intended for those who are still very healthy and able to do daily tasks without assistance or constant monitoring. Such communities provide various housing options, which include studio apartments, townhouses, and small cottages.

This type of community also provides freedom to make your own schedule and join in community events or outings as you wish. This will also provide an opportunity to gain new hobbies and friends since residents living around are of the same age.

• Campus security and emergency call system
• Exercise classes / and wellness facilities
• Gracious floor plans / fully furnished senior living spaces
• Housekeeping/laundry services
• Optional church services / spiritual counseling
• Prepaid utilities
• Quiet reading areas
• Transport services

If you are looking for senior housing options for your loved ones, perhaps it is best to shop around for potential retirement communities. This website offers tons of information to suit your needs. Feel free to browse along with this site for more details, or give us a call today!

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead