What exactly is memory care and how does it differ from other types of care for the elderly?
Caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia requires particular skills and a method of caring that differs from regular aged care. This is a specialised kind of care built around small communities. Resthill has two houses that are safe and secure environments where the staff work closely with the residents so as to facilitate their care.
The staff are specially trained so that they can provide the kind of quality care needed by seniors who have memory loss. The day is filled with various programs full of activities that help the residents to work on cognitive abilities. At the same time, they get to enjoy themselves, also by having them enjoy their hobbies and passions.
Usually, when a senior person experiences memory loss through dementia, their continued quality of life is under threat unless they are surrounded by encouraging people who can motivate them to enjoy life in a relaxed and positive way. By having a sense of purpose they can enjoy the feeling of belonging and so can be engaged in daily activities.
The two houses at Resthill each have their own character and our residents spend their days in a stimulated yet tranquil surroundings. This warm atmosphere welcomes residents to make themselves at home. Daily routine, the smell of freshly made meals and attentive care workers ensure that they feel they are in a private home.
This is all ensconced in a safe and secure rural setting filled with farm animals and vegetable and herb gardens. Residents can go for walks on the grounds and not get lost, as the path takes them back home again. This ensures they get plenty of exercise in the fresh air so as to enhance their quality of life.
And here at home, they have assistance with daily living as well. Our team takes care of the daily chores, such as cleaning, laundry and gardening, while the care workers assist during meals, giving out medication, having a shower, personal grooming and all the other little things they may find hard to navigate, such as remembering where they last left the reading glasses.
Every person is unique and is affected by dementia in a different way. That means that every resident needs attentive care necessitating a different approach for everyone.
Each resident has their own care plan with their own goals and individual needs.
They are more than just old people in a home, they are loved and cared for in a gentle way. Various activities, such as singing around the piano, building puzzles, playing balloon games or crossword puzzles, keep them engaged and stimulated. Events such as magic shows, high teas around a theme and other activities fill the yearly calendar and everyone participates according to their ability.
This, of course, needs a large team of people who are well equipped to deal with every eventuality. They are well-trained and carefully chosen. They are continually learning the latest techniques and are kept abreast of relevant information to enhance their work and provide them with more skills through continuous in-house training.
Memory Care is there more than just assisted daily living, it is a way of caring that includes many aspects to specifically address the loss of memory of residents and its implications.
You can learn more about Resthill Memory Care on the website.