Delaware Memory Care Facilities

Delaware is often overlooked when it comes to the upper northeast part of the United States, an unfortunate oversight because Delaware is a great state to be in. Delaware’s dementia care facilities provide high standards of care and treatment at very cost-effective rates. This makes Delaware memory care facilities one of the most, if not the most affordable among the New England states that include New York, Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey..

In fact, Delaware’s Alzheimer's care facilities sit right about at the national average of $160 per day, with even more affordable communities spread out across the state. Delaware's healthcare ranks among the best as well.

Moving to a Dementia Care Home in Delaware

The Alzheimer's Association identifies dementia as an umbrella term that refers to severe memory loss, usually resulting from a disease like Alzheimer's. Unlike a traumatic head injury, the symptoms of dementia also include loss of language, problem-solving, and thinking abilities. The loss of these capabilities causes major disruptions to the person's daily life and functioning.

Data from the Alzheimer's Association shows that 5.8 million Americans had Alzheimer's last year. Although the disease has a high concentration in seniors, younger people have it too. 5.6 million of the affected are Americans 65 years old and above while the remaining 200,000 are younger than 65. This data illustrates that one out of ten people in the country have Alzheimer's or dementia and this number is expected to grow by up to 13.8% in 2050. This highlights two important facts: one, that the number of Alzheimer's and dementia cases are steadily increasing due to an aging population, and two, that there is a need for high-quality memory care today and in the foreseeable future.

Currently, a large number of people with dementia either live on their own or with family. But as memory care communities became more accessible and affordable throughout the U.S. including the state of Delaware, the number of residents moving to dementia care homes is steadily increasing.

In deciding whether relocation to an Alzheimer's care facility in Delaware is necessary, you should consider a few things: behavioral changes in your loved one, the state of their health, their safety and security, your capability to meet their needs, and your own mental and physical well-being as their primary caregiver.

The early stages of Alzheimer's are difficult to detect as people attribute them to simple forgetfulness or an inability to pay attention. But as the disease progresses, lapses in memory become worse. People living with dementia who are usually punctual with paying their bills may start missing payments because they either do not remember if they paid their bill or may not remember how money and paying bills work. Feelings of helplessness and frustration set in as daily living becomes a herculean quest.

In addition to frustration and anxiety, people with Alzheimer's will experience confusion and disorientation as the disease progresses. This is particularly dangerous as they may lose their way home or do things that may put them at extreme risk, like forgetting to turn off the stove, or ignoring traffic rules.

Forgetting daily living tasks is not just an issue of convenience; it is also an issue of health. A person with Alzheimer's may forget to eat, drink, and take their medication or inadvertently take more than the prescribed dosage. If your loved one has daily medicines prescribed to regulate blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and the like, forgetting to take their medication can cause a whole new set of health problems.

Alzheimer's latter stages involve loss of function and even mobility. This part of the disease's progression means that your role and responsibility as the primary caregiver would increase substantially which might also require that you put your own life on hold too. From feeding and bathing to continued supervision and even dealing with incontinence or mood swings, how prepared are you to handle that level of care?

Lastly, you have to reassess where you are mentally and physically. Caring for a loved one should not mean that you let go of your watching out for your own health. If your health deteriorates, then how can you take care of your loved one? Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you neglecting your responsibilities to yourself and to your other family members?
• Do you feel like you can no longer connect with family and friends?
• Are you ignoring your health and needs?
• As a caregiver, are you becoming more irritable and impatient?
• Do you feel like you can no longer keep up with your loved one's needs?

If 'yes' is your answer to any or all of these, then you might want to find a memory care community for your loved one in the state of Delaware.

Caring for a person with dementia is not a 'you-or-me' situation. You can find a healthy middle ground where you can give your family member the appropriate care they need, while working on getting your life back.

Memory Care Facilities Compared to Assisted Living Facilities in Delaware

Assisted living homes are institutions where seniors, people with disabilities, and those who have special needs can live in and have the support and care they need while moving freely. In addition to meals, boarding, and ancillary services, assisted living facilities may organize community functions to encourage residents to socialize.

It is important to note that assisted living facilities are unregulated by the federal government. This may leave gaps for inconsistencies in care quality, facility maintenance, amenities available, and community management. Furthermore, not all assisted living facilities are equipped to care for people requiring memory care.

On the other hand, Delaware memory care homes are facilities that specialize in giving care to people with dementia. These communities also provide housing, meals, and support services. They also offer behavioral health services, directed care, personal care, supervisory care, memory care-specific treatment, individual and group therapies supervision, and ancillary services.

Delaware's Department of Health and Social Services and the Division of Long-Term Care Resident Protection are responsible for licensing dementia care facilities in Delaware. They also monitor registered Delaware memory care homes every year through a surprise check or pre-scheduled survey to check if patients receive quality care whether the facility is maintained well, and if everything in the community is done in compliance with the regulations set by the state and the department.

Requirements for Admission to a Delaware Memory Care Community

Seniors, people living with dementia, and individuals with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities who reside in Delaware are eligible for admission in a Delaware dementia care home. Those with controlled behavioral issues and stable chronic illnesses may also be admitted. People who require assistance with daily living and those who require temporary or intermittent nursing care for no longer than 90 days are eligible for admission and retention in a memory care facility in Delaware.

On the other hand, those who are bedridden and require permanent, round-the-clock nursing care, such as those on ventilators or with unstable medical conditions, may not be admitted. Those who show socially inappropriate behavior and pose as a danger to themselves and people around them are also barred from admission.

Choosing a Dementia Care Home in Delaware

But before zeroing in on the right Delaware memory care community for your loved one, get in touch with their management through email, phone call, or even a visit. We suggest visiting a couple of such facilities before deciding which one works best for you and your loved one. A community tour lets you see the environment and assess if that memory care home is the right choice.

Some questions you may consider asking during your visit:

• Are families involved in the care planning?
• Are families allowed to participate in the care of their loved ones?
• How are changes in a loved one's health condition or care needs communicated to the families?
• Who can families contact for updates and inquiries?
• Are medical, personal care, and assistance available?
• Are there physicians and registered nurses in the community?
• If there are in-house medical staff available, and if not, how often do physicians and nurses visit?
• Are the staff members qualified to give dementia care?
• What is the procedure should a resident need to go to the hospital?
• What is the resident to staff ratio, and what is the fall rate?
• Are living spaces big enough for residents to move freely?
• Can new residents bring personal belongings?
• Are bathrooms age-appropriate and accessible?
• Is the place easy to navigate and accessible?
• Is there enough indoor and outdoor space?
• Do they encourage socialization and a healthy lifestyle?
• When can families visit their loved ones, and is there a designated visitation area?
• Are families allowed to enter their loved one's living space?
• Do they have registered nutritionist on board?
• Can they meet special dietary needs?
• What are the discharge policies?
• Is continuing care and aging in place possible in the community?

Delaware Dementia Care Amenities

The amenities provided at dementia care homes in Delaware are dependent on location, price, and what other services (if any) are offered. For example, some Alzheimer's care homes are located in a ward that is a branch of a traditional nursing home or assisted living center. On different occasions, the senior living center is 100 percent dedicated to dementia and Alzheimer's care.

Regardless of the facility, dedicated Alzheimer's care homes in Delaware provide the same trademark health services as the rest of the northeast. Some of the best doctors and nurses live and work in this part of the U.S., so service is second to none.

The skilled staff serves your loved one with the ultimate care and kindness. Personal privacy is respected as much as possible, and patients are treated with dignity and respect. Staff members understand how devastating dementia and Alzheimer's can be, and thus seek to restore their identity and vitality.

Along with being served well-balanced, nutritional meals each day, activities and group participation are encouraged to help keep the mind sharp.

Cost of Memory Care Facilities in Delaware

Delaware is a rarity among the upper northeast, as just about every other state in the area is statistically more expensive for dementia care. The only other states that are priced close to Delaware Alzheimer's care homes are Rhode Island and Vermont, but they are pricier.

The average median cost for Delaware dementia care facilities is $156 per day, or just under $4,700 per month. A projected yearly cost equals about $56,400. Affordable Delaware memory care homes are reported as low as $93 per day, though the vast majority range much more in the $110 to $130 price range. Expensive dementia care homes in Delaware, meanwhile, can exceed $260 per day. Some of the most prestigious Alzheimer's care homes are priced between $180 and $240 per day.

Delaware is a small state, so the selection of dementia care homes is limited, though quality never suffers. The entire state has less than one million in population, and its biggest city, Wilmington, only houses a little under 71,000. Consequently, sometimes it is hard to find the appropriate memory care facility, so it bodes well to do a little extra research and ask around.

The cities of Dover, Newark and Middletown, are good places to begin. Along with Wilmington, these are bigger cities with the best selection of Alzheimer's care facilities. Ask about Medicare, as some dementia care services may be covered partially or in their entirety depending on the provider.

Affording Delaware Dementia Care Community Admission

Delaware may be one of the states with the most cost-effective memory care, but a little help is always welcome, especially if you are looking to finance a family member's long-term care. You may want to look into these programs.

• Delaware Optional State Supplementation Program
  • Eligibility: Delaware residents who are over 65, as well as adults with disabilities who do not need a nursing home level of care are eligible for this program. Applicants must also meet the financial criteria that the federal SSI program has set. However, the state may consider people who meet all the requirements but exceed the federal SSI income threshold.
• Medicare Advantage Plans
  • Eligibility: Senior Delaware residents who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B are eligible to make the switch to this program to cover part of their memory care and long-term care expenses, including that of the UnitedHealthcare Assisted Living Plan.

Additional options that may help you afford Delaware’s dementia care home expenses include reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance, life insurance, and veterans’ benefits.

Resources on Dementia and Delaware Memory Care

Should you need more help understanding dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and the care that a loved one living with the disease requires, below are some resources that may help you.

• Alzheimer's Impact Movement – Delaware
• Delaware Prescription Assistance Program
• Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center
• Alzheimer's Association – Delaware Valley Chapter