Having to move a loved one into a long-term care facility is a challenging decision that takes a lot of thought. There may come a time when the resident’s cognitive abilities decline and they need more intensive and different care than what’s possible in a regular long-term care facility.
The move to a memory care facility is a major step that must be carefully considered. The factors to think about are much different than those of a regular long-term care facility. Residents in memory care units count on the staff members to take care of the vast majority of their daily needs. If that’s not happening, grave harm can occur.
Memory challenges enhance difficulty
One of the main issues that memory care residents face is that they often don’t have the memory to remember exactly what’s going on. This can mean that they can’t speak up when something is wrong, so they may not be able to tell anyone if they’re being harmed.
Another issue is that they may have altered mobility, which puts them at risk for a fall. Falls can lead to catastrophic injuries, such as broken hips, brain injuries or damage to the spinal cord, each of which can result in significant life changes and challenges for them.
Memory care residents who suffer harm at the hands of the long-term care facility residents who are supposed to care for them should get immediate care. This can be costly, but it’s critical that they do this swiftly. There are strict time limits that apply in these cases, so it may be best to work with someone familiar with these matters.
