Ways Memory Care May Change in the Future for Senior Housing
Providers of senior housing are aware of the increasing need for memory care services. A survey of the industry shows that a lot of construction is being done to serve that purpose.
However, the future of the industry isn’t just hinged on the creation of buildings for people with memory problems. It also points to the development of new approaches to care, thanks to the availability of new knowledge.
Although senior living companies will have different reasons for providing certain services, what is common among them is the desire to provide better services to improve the lives of residents.
On that note, here’s a look at the ways memory care may change in the future:
New care settings
These days, senior housing providers house seniors in homes situated in a single campus. This might change in the future, with companies opting to purchase property in urban areas for memory care services. Multiple properties will be bought to form a network in the metro area. The setup will be similar to a group home setting.
Another trend is the creation of affordable housing specifically for people suffering from cognitive challenges. A similar project has been up and running in Pennsylvania for more than a decade, and many may soon follow the model.
Improved care
Caring for someone with a memory problem is difficult and as such, caregivers need to have better education so they can provide the proper support. There are elements like dementia-related depression that might require the assistance of other experts. In that case, it would benefit senior living companies to have a gero-psychiatrist on call. Another option is putting someone with dementia specialization on the board of medical directors.
Specialist treatment
As mentioned, it’s not easy to care for someone with dementia or any other related memory problem. As such, specialized education will be increasingly important in order to provide proper care. It won’t be enough to certify someone as a nursing assistant; they might have to be a certified dementia care nursing assistant.
Slowing the development of dementia
Studies have been done to better understand dementia, particularly the pre-clinical phase. Meaning, those in the medical community can now carry out interventions to alter when someone will develop the disease, and it usually boils down to making healthy lifestyle choices.
To prevent dementia, senior care facilities will put an emphasis on social engagement, physical activity, and others that preserve cognitive abilities.
Much better technology
There is no question regarding the role of technology in improving lives, and that extends to the senior community. New technologies like facial recognition can be used by the elderly to improve their lives. For example, the technology can provide them with the name of someone making an approach that they may have forgotten.
Technology that can provide assessments can be useful tools in making decisions. For instance, a patient’s performance can be evaluated before giving them another task to work on.
All of these new developments will change how senior housing providers operate, but the bigger goal is building a community where everyone can live safely and comfortably.
Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities : Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead
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