Memory Care near Kanata, ON

Memory Care in Kanata, ON

Memory care is typically not its own community, but rather a part of assisted living or nursing home care. The purpose of memory care is to provide seniors dealing with dementia or Alzheimer's disease a safe environment where they can manage their symptoms. There isn't a cure for Alzheimer's disease, which means it's a progressive illness that gets worse over time. Choosing the right facility involves more than just picking one your loved one likes. You also have to make sure the facility can handle your loved one's future needs so you don't have to move them and disrupt their care. The good news is that Kanata has several communities to choose from, so finding one that meets both your present and future needs shouldn't be too difficult.

About Kanata

Kanata was first settled by Europeans in the early nineteenth century, and it started out as an agricultural settlement. The city's focus remained in agriculture until 1960 when it became the site of heavy development. The community began to grow rapidly, and over time it became an important tech center for the surrounding Ottawa area. As a suburb of Ottawa, Kanata has a lot to offer those looking to escape the big city. It is quiet, green, and offers spectacular views like much of Canada, and for those who want a more active social life, Ottawa isn't far away with its big city offerings.

The Signs

It can be difficult to determine when your loved one is having a rough day and when it's time to consider memory care options, so knowing the signs can help you make that determination. Here's a list of what to look for so that you can help before it's too late.

• Declining personal hygiene
• Unsafe driving
• Forgetting how to cook or do laundry – tasks they've done their whole life
• Inability to manage medications appropriately
• Water or fire damage in the home
• Neglecting finances
• Reduced ability to communicate

If these signs are constant patterns, it's time to face the fact that your loved one needs assistance. If you and your family are unable to provide that assistance full-time, memory care is a great option to consider.

Care Provided

If you're unfamiliar with the services provided by assisted living communities and nursing homes, it can be a bit difficult to trust that they will take care of your loved one. Although each offers a slightly different set of services, depending on the individual care plan of the resident, there are a few services that are standard across both. These services include:

• Safety and security
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Personal hygiene care and assistance
• Meals
• Social activities, wellness, and entertainment
• Memory therapy options including art, music, and pet therapies
• Medication management

Each community manages these services a little differently, but they should have these basic services available to their residents. Those communities listed as luxury communities will have other amenities available to choose from, including salons and spas, granite countertops and other high-end furnishings, and higher quality entertainment options.

Where to Begin

When the time comes to begin your search, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. It's helpful to begin your search with an idea of what your loved one wants in a community. Because Kanata has several communities to choose from, the best way to start is by researching the communities online. Read the websites and online reviews, and start narrowing down the possibilities until you have three or four solid options to choose from. Next, contact each facility and schedule a tour.

Preparing for a Tour

It's important to keep in mind that moving a loved one to memory care is a life-changing event, and it's not without its emotional turmoil, either. Seniors may have a hard time adjusting to the decision, and if their memory loss has led to aggressive or belligerent behavior, they may yell, scream, and say hurtful things. You will have to remain patient, and try not to let the things they say affect you. With that in mind, you should show up for a tour with a comprehensive list of questions in hand. It's all right to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with the facility and its staff. You should also expect to take your loved one with you, if possible. Remember that you're not the one moving into the community, so it's important to ensure your loved one actually likes the place they might move into. If not, you should consider a different community, even if that one is perfect on paper.

For the most part, dementia and Alzheimer's disease don't happen overnight. The signs will be there long before you need to start considering memory care as an option, which means you have time to prepare. If you start noticing the signs, talk to your loved one about what they want in a facility, and how they want to handle the transition. Creating an open line of communication about the situation before their symptoms get worse is the best way to include them in the process, and to ensure you find a community that suits their needs and preferences.