Visiting a loved one who resides at one of the best memory care communities, such as Senior Care Villa of Loomis, can be a deeply meaningful experience. After all, you want to ensure that you spend quality time together and can connect and make new memories. However, it’s essential to understand that dementia can present unique challenges and your visit might not always be straightforward. To make sure that your visits are positive and successful, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of helpful tips to guide you through these precious moments. Continue reading to get all the details you need:
1. Plan Your Visit
The first step you’ll need to consider is to plan your visit. Before heading to our memory care community, create a plan in advance. This enables the staff to prepare, ensuring a smoother experience. This also allows you to plan your visit during your loved one’s optimal time of day, when they are most alert and relaxed. If you aren’t sure what time of day this is, a caring staff member will be more than happy to fill you in.
2. Be Patient and Understanding
Another thing to remember is that dementia can affect memory and behavior. Approach your visit with patience and empathy. If your loved one doesn’t recognize you, avoid correcting them and instead focus on connecting emotionally. Instead, just focus on talking, spending time together, and finding comfort in just being in their presence.
3. Create a Comfortable Environment
It can be helpful to personalize the space with familiar items from home. A cozy atmosphere with cherished photos or comforting objects can help reduce anxiety and make your loved one feel more at ease.
4. Maintain Eye Contact and Smile
Connection is key when visiting your loved one at the best memory care communities, especially as dementia can impact speech and verbal communication abilities. When interacting, maintain eye contact, and offer a warm smile. Non-verbal cues can help establish a connection even when words are hard to come by.
5. Engage in Activities
Activities play a vital role in maintaining cognitive function, enhancing emotional well-being, and fostering connections with residents of the best memory care communities. Here are some ideal activities to consider during your visit:
Board Games and Puzzles
Board games like chess, checkers, and card games such as Uno can stimulate cognitive skills and promote social interaction. Jigsaw puzzles with larger, easy-to-handle pieces can provide a sense of accomplishment as residents complete them together.
Arts and Crafts
Creative arts activities like painting, drawing, and crafting can be therapeutic and offer a creative outlet for residents. Consider activities where residents can make simple, tactile projects, such as decorating picture frames or creating handmade cards.
Music Therapy
Music has a powerful effect on memory and emotions. Singing familiar songs or playing musical instruments can be incredibly engaging. Use your phone or laptop computer to provide easy access to music from their era, which can evoke memories and emotions.
6. Share Memories
Encourage storytelling by discussing shared memories and experiences. Bringing along a family photo album filled with pictures, tokens, and mementos can do wonders for sparking memory and encouraging conversation. Be sure to ask open-ended questions and listen attentively. This can lead to meaningful conversations that bridge the gap created by dementia.
7. Be a Good Listener
Sometimes, it’s not about the words spoken but the emotions conveyed. Actively listen to your loved one, even if their words seem disjointed or illogical. Show empathy and validate their feelings. Should they repeat stories or sentences, don’t let them know. Simply continue to listen, smile, and re-engage with the conversation. This will help your loved one feel safe and heard and avoid feelings of frustration, agitation, and anxiety.
8. Stay Calm During Challenging Moments
It is no secret that dementia behaviors can be unpredictable. In moments of agitation or confusion, stay composed and redirect their focus to a different activity or topic to diffuse tension. If you feel as though you need assistance with a situation, feel free to call upon one of the helpful staff members on our team here at Loomis. As one of the best memory care communities in the area, our team is specifically trained in assisting those with cognitive decline.
9. Maintain a Routine
Consistency is comforting for those living with dementia. Stick to a familiar routine during your visit to provide a sense of stability and security. For example, don’t let your visit interfere with mealtimes. Instead, join them for a meal even if they eat earlier than you do. Or if they like to take a walk every day at a specific time, go on the walk with them. Having this level of predictability and security can be particularly helpful in ensuring that memory care residents stay present and in the moment.
10. Explore Our Community
Last but not least, take time to explore the natural beauty of our community, with its lush greenery, creek, and serene duck pond. The calming environment can enhance the quality of your visit and provide a peaceful backdrop for your time together. Numerous studies have shown that spending time outdoors is particularly beneficial for those living with dementia, as the fresh air and calming environment can be extremely comforting.
Contact Us and Schedule a Tour
In conclusion, these tips aim to help you create successful and fulfilling visits with your loved one in our memory care community. By understanding their unique needs and fostering meaningful connections, you can make each visit a cherished moment of togetherness.
If you’re looking for a memory care community for your loved one, we’d be honored if you considered Senior Care Villa of Loomis. As one of the best memory care communities in the area, we strive to create a warm, welcoming community for all. With 25 years of expertise in Alzheimer’s and related dementia care, our community offers 24-hour support, loving surroundings, and activities that promote a sense of joy, satisfaction, and belonging.
Interested in learning more? Then please contact us today to schedule a tour or ask any questions that you may have about our dementia care community.
