Whether your friend or family member is at home or in a memory care community, you may wonder how often you should visit and how long you should stay. Sadly, once a loved one has moved to a memory care community, some people may think there is no point in visiting at all. Caregiver responsibilities have been passed on to the staff, and if the person is “that far gone,” visits may be a waste of time.
South Mountain Memory Care in the Allentown-Lehigh Valley area believes that visits from friends and family are never a waste of time! In fact, social interaction is key for improving the quality of life for dementia patients. Even if the patient does not recognize the visitor or remember a lot of details about their life, visits can stimulate feelings of well-being, reduce agitation, and even enhance cognitive stimulation. So, although a visit can be challenging, proper preparation can help ease any discomfort and keep a relationship as vibrant as possible.
Preparing for a visit to a dementia patient in a memory care community
Talk with the caregiving team or staff to help gauge the condition of your loved one and how often and long visits should be. See if you can bring familiar items to talk about or decorate with. Initial visits may work on a trial-and-error basis, but are worth it.
Gauging the visit to a dementia patient in a memory care community
Dementia patients have mood swings like anyone else. At times, they may be unhappy with you; that is one of the challenges of this disease. The caregivers may be able to shed light on your loved one’s moods and needs.
Because of the disease’s impact on the brain, it’s hard for a patient to focus for a long time. They may show signs of overstimulation, like:
- trouble following what you are saying.
- extreme frustration.
- anger or agitation.
- physical fatigue, e.g., a reduction in activity, listlessness, etc.
Remember, dementia patients may sometimes express through body language what they cannot express verbally.
Tips for a successful visit with a dementia patient in a memory care community
- Try to determine the best time to visit, when the patient is most awake and alert.
- The quality of the visit is more important than the length or frequency. Make it meaningful.
- Regular visits at the same time can be comforting. Surprise or haphazard visits can be upsetting.
- Try a shared experience instead of just talking. Look at photos, take a walk, listen to music, play with toys—just keep active if possible.
- Keep alert for changes. As the disease progresses, emotions, needs, and actions may change. Be adaptable.
There is no universal rule to govern the frequency and extent of visits. Staying flexible, consulting the community’s staff, and bringing a heart of love will ensure a visit that is meaningful to both you and your loved one!
Whatever the cause or level of your or your loved one’s memory issues, South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.