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Although professional assisted living is often a great choice for aging adults who need some help day-to-day, professional memory care is more suited for those with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. This is because they provide a more structured environment as well as specially trained staff and engaging activities tailored specifically to meet the needs of those living with the condition.

More About Dementia

When your loved one receives a diagnosis of dementia, you’re faced with a lot of questions and considerations. Know that you are not alone, and neither is your loved one. In fact, more than six million adults are currently living with the disease. And that figure doesn’t include individuals living with other types of dementia, or their affected family members.

All types of dementia cause some challenges for the person living with the condition as well as their loved ones. One challenge to be aware of with dementia is its unpredictability. Dementia is a progressive condition, so day-to-day capabilities will constantly shift, which can make it difficult for family members to help. Once a loved one thinks they’ve reached a “new normal,” things shift again.

This inevitability means that future planning is especially crucial for maintaining their well-being and safety. You want to have steps in place for keeping your loved one safe regardless of their condition’s status or progress.

Specialized memory care communities like ours here at Gateway Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care deliver comforting reassurance for family members, along with personalized assistance that keeps parents or loved ones healthy and independent. An early transition to memory care can decrease the risk of transfer trauma and make the overall experience much more therapeutic for your loved one.

Benefits of Memory Care Communities

If you are new to our senior living space, you might assume that all communities offer dementia assistance. Although seniors with dementia are often represented in assisted living, it’s important to make sure the community you choose provides skilled memory care like ours, if that’s what your loved one requires.

We offer various levels of care, from those who need very little assistance day-to-day to those who require regular help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as grooming or dressing. Their programming is typically more general than the tailored care plans and events offered at our memory care community.

On the other hand, our memory care community is specially designed to provide the best environment, care, and interactions for those living with dementia. Although assisted living is an excellent solution for residents who need some assistance with daily tasks, memory care increases the quality of care for these residents through:

• An environment engineered for their success


• Specially trained staff members


• Daily activities designed to provide a rhythm to the day

These three essential elements of community living are what make Gateway Gardens Memory Care an unmatched option for those with dementia. Here’s why:

Structured Environment

Our memory care community is equipped to ensure resident safety while still giving easy access to the outdoors and community spaces. Because wandering—or walking without a purpose or destination—is a common side effect of dementia, we have open spaces where residents can stroll, but they also have secured entrances and exits, ensuring residents are adequately supervised. Those within our assisted living community are afforded more independence when it comes to solo travel.

Beyond safety, the most important aspect of our memory care community is that it is designed to feel just like home. It’s common to see residents interacting in our shared living spaces, including the activity room and family-style dining room. Hallways are well-lit to decrease the risk of falling. And like home, residents also enjoy easy access to outdoor areas like our courtyard.

Specially Trained Staff Members

Living in a community that offers memory care also provides access to specialized teams of caregivers and other staff. Our memory care community employ caregivers and other team members who are specially trained in dementia conditions and processes. They are equipped with the professional know-how to create personalized interventions that build trust as well as meaningful moments.

Engaging Activities

Another important part of living within our memory care community is attention to engagement. We feature a robust calendar of events, activities, and trips that are designed to increase overall wellness—and offer some well-deserved fun.

Seniors with dementia who live at home alone or with a caregiver are at an increased risk of isolation. Not having that element of engaging in social support can lead to a variety of health concerns, including more rapid cognitive decline. We deliver hubs of activity, making connecting with staff members or fellow residents as easy as stepping out into the hallway or attending the next social event.

Finally, in between group activities, residents living in our memory care community enjoy the opportunity to take part in activities that match their daily routine or rhythm. It’s not unusual to see a resident chatting with a caregiver while folding towels in the living room or a resident helping to set the table. These daily rhythm tasks help to maintain healthy sleep patterns, decrease anxiety caused by confusion, and increase feelings of belonging.

Is Memory Care Right for Your Loved One?

If your parent or loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, a memory care community like ours here at Gateway Gardens offers the support and stability they need to lead a pleasant and productive lifestyle. In contrast, our assisted living community is better suited for those who may need help with some ADLs, but are otherwise safe to go about their days unsupervised.

We’d be honored to discuss things in detail with you. Contact us anytime!