How to Find a Memory Care Near You
You’re ready to make a move.
Where do you start?
Deciding to move into a memory care community can take some time. In order to ensure you find the right place for yourself or your loved one, there are better ways to search for memory care communities near you. It can all start with a simple Google search, but there are many other aspects to finding the right place—especially when it involves improving your quality of life.
How to Search for and Find Communities
Google Search
Google is where everything starts, right? People Google restaurants, hotels, even taxi companies. If you’re making a decision as big as deciding which memory care community is best for you or your loved one, you better believe you’ll want to Google that place first and learn as much as you can about it.
The easiest way to find memory care communities near you is to type that phrase into Google: “memory care community near me.” You’ll get a set of results based on your location, so depending on your priorities, this might be an important step. For example, if you are looking for a memory care community for your loved one, you might be happier with a place that’s close enough where you can visit often. A location-based search can be a great way to narrow down your options if location is a priority for you.
However, a Google search is by no means the end of the road. It is only the beginning, a way to decide where to start looking. Once you have found specific memory care communities that might fit your needs or the needs of your loved one, it’s time to find out as much as you can about that community. Find and read reviews of the community, along with testimonials. In order to get a real sense of what people think, make sure to find reviews of memory care communities near you written by other residents or their loved ones. Take a look at how they respond to reviews, negative or positive. Sometimes, you can learn more about management by how they appease unsatisfied customers and how they are able to adapt during negative situations.
Also, take a look at their social media engagement and their website. What kinds of comments do they get on social media? Does it seem like this community has the support from the larger community? Anything you can learn from the memory care community’s online presence will be a great way for you to find out whether or not it will be the place for you or your loved one.
Take a Tour
Once you have a set number of memory care communities that might be viable, it’s time to get in the car and go see them in person. A lot of times, a community might put on a good show online, so seeing how it actually operates can really show you the day-to-day life residents lead. Make sure to check out the amenities and ask for a complete cost analysis with every charge detailed so you can make an informed financial decision (more on that later).
When touring a memory care community, be on the lookout for standards of cleanliness and social interaction. Remember that in order to live a high quality of life, it’s critically important to find a good social match, not just a community that meets basic needs. When you visit, pay attention to the social setting, activities, and culture the community fosters. Go to the dining room and eat a meal—you’ll get a first-hand experience of their dining services. It might also be helpful to observe a class or a facilitated social activity.
If you’re really interested, you might even consider spending the night. Some memory care communities let you or your loved one stay as a guest for a night or two to get a better idea of what the community really feels like.
Keep in mind—this probably isn’t an emergency situation, and taking time to find the right community that best meets you or your loved one’s needs is the best way to ensure long-term happiness.
Ask the Right Questions
Visiting a memory care community or doing a virtual live tour is the perfect opportunity to get the information you need most to make your decision. Of course, the best way to get the information you need is to ask the right questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about anything and everything—the community leaders should be happy to provide you with all the information you need to make the right decision.
Ask About the People
During your visit, make sure to talk to residents and staff. Does the staff seem to genuinely care about the residents?
Would you enjoy sharing meals with the residents? Do you have common interests?
Do residents enjoy independence? What social activities happen in the common areas?
Go with your gut feeling: do the residents seem happy?
Ask About Safety
Are the team members present 24/7? Are all entrances and exits secured?
What kind of security systems are in place? Do the rooms have emergency call systems? Do they have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? Do they have sprinkler systems?
How many registered nurses are on staff? Is there a registered nurse on duty 24/7? What’s the protocol for nighttime emergencies?
Are the grounds well maintained and lit? Do the hallways have handrails?
Ask About the Living Space
How many people live in the community? What is the ratio of residents to caregivers?
Does the facility feel home-like? Does the community make you feel comfortable?
What choices do you have when it comes to rooms or apartments?
Are there any shared amenities? Will you have your own kitchen? Will you have your own bathroom?
What is the pet policy? Can residents bring their own pets?
What furniture is provided? Can residents bring their own furniture?
Do residents have control over their own thermostat? How much natural lighting do residents enjoy?
How much storage space do residents have? How easily can residents access storage areas like kitchen cabinets?
Schedule a Virtual Tour
Everyone’s busy, but a virtual tour might be the easiest way for you to get a good sense about a memory care community before visiting in person. Schedule a virtual tour with us and we’ll show you around.
Ask About the Amenities
Are there faith-based services on-site?
Does the community post a monthly calendar of events?
Is there space for safe outdoor recreation?
Is there transportation available for medical appointments or errands?
What events, classes, and activities are facilitated by team members?
Are there any extra amenities, like a pool, beauty salon, spa, library, movie theater, etc?
Ask About Everything Else!
Is there a daily menu that changes? Do residents have options to select from the menu?
Is there specific move-in and move-out criteria?
Are family members allowed to stay overnight?
How does the community adapt to a resident who may develop more issues throughout their life there?
Ask for a copy of the resident agreement so you can see exactly what the community will offer.
Ask about the staff turnover rate.
Ask about the community’s licensing and certification reports.
Ask about who is allowed to dispense medication and how much training they have received.
These questions get to the core of what the memory care community has to offer. Transparency and accountability are great traits in a memory care community, so if you find that they are answering your questions with ease and a smile, and you can see for yourself that the residents are enjoying themselves, that’s a great sign!
Memory Care Questionnaire
Still unsure about memory care? We’ve created a handy questionnaire with the purpose of finding out whether or not you or your loved one should receive memory care. If you’re still on the fence about what type of community you’re looking for, this questionnaire is a great way to narrow down your options.
Think Financially
Because picking a memory care community is a big decision, you might want to consider reaching out to someone you trust to ask for financial guidance. Some people might even be able to put you in touch with a financial advisor who can help you determine how much you can afford when it comes to rent.
Memory care communities come in all shapes and sizes. Some are affordable, while others might be too expensive. In order to avoid frustration and disappointment, you need to know your price point. For some seniors, a place that charges a flat monthly fee that includes everything is attractive because they know there will never be any fees on top of that budget. In our community, for example, we charge one monthly rent, no matter the services rendered. If your loved one develops a more pressing need for assistance, our price does not go up. This can make long-term financial planning much easier.
Furthermore, when it comes to planning for your future, you’ll always want to take a look at all the benefits you can access, including:
Social Security
Medicare and Medicaid
Local government programs
Long-term care insurance
Life insurance
Veterans Benefits
Pensions, annuities, and other retirement income
Real estate assets that can be sold or used
Other assets that can be sold or used
Family contributions
Speak to a Memory Care Expert
You’re probably not a memory care expert, or even a senior living expert. Why would you be? Most people only learn about memory care when they experience it firsthand with a relative or themselves. This is exactly what happened to us when our mother began showing symptoms of memory loss.
Sometimes, you need a trusted advisor to help you find out what’s best for your loved one, or even yourself. If you’d like to speak with a memory care expert, don’t hesitate to reach out.
You’re Almost There!
Finally, after figuring out your budget, visiting several communities, and asking all the questions you have, it’s time to make a decision. At first, you might have a gut feeling about one specific community—that might be your favorite option. In other cases, you might be torn between two different places.
It helps to think about your priorities. Do you love pets? Choose a community that allows and encourages you to bring your dog or cat. Are you expecting to visit the doctor’s office a lot? Then pick the community that will make those visits the easiest. There is no perfect memory care community—it’s all about you, your priorities, and the quality of life you want to live.
Choosing a memory care community is always a big decision, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. If you need to reach out for assistance, please contact us at https://info.remembermesc.com/contact.