Missouri Memory Care Facilities

Missouri is a state that represents the Midwest very well. It may not have the stellar, prestigious representation of the New England senior living, nor the year-round sun and warm climate of parts of the west coast and south. Still, there are so many benefits for seniors in the Midwest. Memory care communities in Missouri are no different in this aspect.

The best dementia care homes in Missouri feature excellent service with outstanding skilled nursing that are friendly and professionally at all times. The state's tempo is calmer and more laidback that suits seniors well, making the experience at the top-rated Missouri Alzheimer's' care homes and dementia care facilities excellent.

Cost of Memory Care Facilities in Missouri

The cost for a room in a typical Missouri Alzheimer's care home averages $183 per day, or a little more than $5,500 per month. This is in line with the national average.

Inexpensive dementia care facilities in Missouri are abundant and available in all parts of the state. The lowest ten percent of the state's Alzheimer's care homes only cost under $4,000 per month, while the highest ten percent average a little over $6,000 per month. The gap between the most expensive and inexpensive is quite significant, making families very selective in the dementia care home in Missouri that they choose to fit within their budget.

Memory care facilities in Missouri offer specialized services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The costs for these services vary across the state, influenced by factors such as location, facility amenities, and the level of care required.

In Missouri, the average monthly cost for memory care is approximately $5,502, which is slightly above the national average. However, costs can be significantly lower in certain areas. For instance, Joplin has an average monthly cost of $3,400, making it one of the more affordable options in the state. Conversely, cities like Columbia and Kansas City have higher average costs, reflecting the demand and amenities offered in these regions.

When evaluating memory care options, it's essential to consider not only the cost but also the quality of care, facility amenities, and the specific needs of the individual. Visiting facilities, speaking with staff, and reviewing state inspection reports can provide valuable insights into the level of care provided.

Memory care communities in Missouri exist in different living environments. Some wards or units are extensions of bigger assisted living or nursing homes, while others only deal with Alzheimer's and dementia patients. There are pros and cons to each situation, depending on the severity of the disease, yet there is also really no "wrong" choice. It does depend on the type of service you desire for a loved one (more hands-on vs. group treatment), security features of the building, amenities, and proximity to your own home or other family members (so they can also hopefully visit often).

According to the latest census, Missouri has just over 6 million residents. The largest concentration exists in Kansas City, where nearly 500,000 people call it home, including many seniors. Quality Missouri dementia care homes exist in Kansas City, both affordable and more luxurious.

St. Louis is the second busiest city in the state and offers a massive variety of promising Alzheimer's care options. The city of 320,000 plus residents provides quality healthcare and access to top medical clinics.

Furthermore, the cities of Springfield, Independence, Columbia, and Lee's Summit are sized perfectly and feature a good selection of top dementia care facilities. St. Joseph and O'Fallon are also excellent communities with many choices for dementia care.

Missouri Memory Care Home Amenities

Missouri dementia care homes feature all the standard amenities plus many luxury ones. The communities are designed to provide a safe and comfortable living environment. Security pendants are offered for Alzheimer's residents, along with more hands-on services. Meals are served daily and provide nutritional balance. Housekeeping and maintenance keep the facilities clean, well-organized, and safe.

Alzheimer's care facilities in Missouri offer top-tier private or shared accommodations. They feature spacious living spaces and an accessible bathroom with your loved one's comfort and safety in mind. They also have an easy-to-navigate and accessible floor plan, making walking around comfortable with or without mobility aids. These communities also have ample recreational spaces for socializing with other residents and passing the time at their own leisure.

Missouri memory care homes provide excellent 24-hour care and supervision services, ensuring that they can have the assistance they need for their daily living activities. These facilities also offer top-notch nursing services, treatment administration, medication storage, and medicine distribution to ensure that each person receives the right dosage of the right medicine at the appropriate times. These facilities also make it a point to conduct thorough semi-annual health assessments and during times when there are changes in a resident's condition to check, reassess, and create a new care plan when necessary.

Aside from providing at least three tasty and nutritious meals a day, Missouri memory care homes can cater to doctor-prescribed personalized diets while making sure that they are still appetizing to residents. A registered nutritionist or dietitian reviews these meal plans quarterly to give residents various flavors and aromas that they can experience with their food.

Every memory care facility in Missouri is staffed with experienced and well-trained professionals. A licensed administrator manages the community, keeps the staff to resident ratio at 1:15, and ensures that the facilities are kept in pristine condition, and the services maintain up to par. Licensed nurses and direct care staff provide the best memory care and treat each resident with respect and dignity. Physicians supervise resident care plans and treatment administration, ensuring that residents receive some of the best care available today.

Memory Care Compared to Dementia Care in Missouri

When it comes to long-term care options for individuals with cognitive impairments, the terms "memory care" and "dementia care" are often used interchangeably. However, in Missouri, there are distinct differences in these services that are important for families seeking appropriate care for their loved ones. Both types of care are designed to provide specialized assistance for individuals experiencing memory loss and cognitive decline, but the specific needs of the individual and the focus of the care services can vary.

Memory Care in Missouri

Memory care refers to a type of specialized residential care that focuses on assisting individuals with memory-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other types of dementia. Facilities offering memory care are typically structured environments with staff trained to address the unique needs of individuals who are experiencing significant memory challenges.

In Missouri, memory care facilities are often part of assisted living communities or standalone units within skilled nursing homes. These communities are designed with secure environments to ensure the safety of residents who may wander or become disoriented. Memory care programs usually provide 24-hour supervision, personalized care plans, and a range of therapies aimed at enhancing cognitive function and improving quality of life.

Staff members at memory care facilities in Missouri receive specialized training in managing behavioral issues, communication challenges, and the physical and emotional needs of residents with cognitive impairments. Many of these facilities offer activities designed to stimulate memory, such as memory games, music therapy, and socialization activities, all tailored to the individual’s cognitive abilities.

Dementia Care in Missouri

Dementia care, while similar to memory care, typically refers to a broader category of services designed for individuals diagnosed with various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. The goal of dementia care is to provide a safe and supportive environment for those with advanced cognitive decline and to address the complex physical, emotional, and social needs of individuals with dementia.

Dementia care is often provided in skilled nursing facilities or specialized care units within long-term care settings. These units are designed to manage the progression of dementia and provide medical care as needed, such as assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, and physical therapy. In Missouri, dementia care is frequently tailored to the stage of the disease, with more intensive care provided as the dementia progresses.

Unlike memory care, which focuses primarily on memory issues, dementia care in Missouri also emphasizes managing the broader spectrum of symptoms associated with dementia. This includes behavior management for issues like agitation, aggression, or depression, as well as ensuring proper nutrition and hydration. Facilities providing dementia care often have access to healthcare professionals such as neurologists, psychologists, and physical therapists who can address the medical and therapeutic needs of residents.

Key Differences Between Memory Care and Dementia Care

The primary distinction between memory care and dementia care lies in the scope of care and the focus of services:

• Memory care focuses more specifically on addressing memory loss, providing support to individuals with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. The environment is often more homelike, with structured activities that target memory retention and cognitive stimulation.

• Dementia care, on the other hand, is broader and includes support for individuals with advanced dementia. This type of care involves medical management, behavior support, and care for the physical aspects of dementia as the condition progresses.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, individuals with early to moderate memory loss may benefit from memory care settings, while those with more severe dementia-related issues may require the more comprehensive care provided in a dementia care unit.

Choosing Between Memory Care and Dementia Care in Missouri

When choosing between memory care and dementia care in Missouri, families should consider several factors:

• Stage of the condition: Memory care is appropriate for individuals in the earlier stages of cognitive decline, while dementia care is best suited for those with more advanced stages of dementia.

• Level of medical care needed: Dementia care typically involves more intensive medical oversight, which may be necessary for individuals with physical complications resulting from dementia.

• Personal preferences: Some individuals may prefer a more structured environment with memory-focused activities, while others may require the more intensive medical and behavioral management offered in a dementia care facility.

Missouri Memory Care Facilities vs. Assisted Living Communities

There are a lot of residential care facilities available today compared to the last decade or so. But two options that may look appealing for your family member with dementia are assisted living homes and memory care homes in Missouri.

Both residential care facilities offer spacious rooms, three nutritious meals, and 24/7 support services. However, the main differences are in the level and kind of care they can provide to a resident.

More comparable to apartments, assisted living homes in the state of Missouri cater to elders or people with disabilities with more mobility and want more independence. These residents can live in a private or shared living space and have access to support services to assist them with daily living activities that they find challenging. This residential care type is more appropriate for people whose Alzheimer's are still in the early to early-moderate stages. A Missouri assisted living facility may have a special memory care unit to cater to the needs of people with Alzheimer's and dementia during its more advanced stages, but not every assisted living home has this.

On the other hand, Missouri dementia care homes specifically cater to Alzheimer's and dementia patients' needs. These facilities have qualified staff members to provide high-quality care for a resident regardless of the disease's stage. Their staff members are also trained in personal care, directed care, supervisory care, behavioral services, memory care-specific treatments, and individual and group therapy supervision.

Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services are the regulatory bodies that licenses and monitors memory care communities in Missouri. They also conduct announced and surprise checks on memory care facilities to ensure that they are providing 24-hour care and supervision, nursing services, daily living assistance, recreational activities, medication administration, storage, and distribution, three nourishing meals a day, and a safe and secure environment for its residents.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a broad term that pertains to the loss of memory, language, and thinking abilities. The primary culprit is the abnormal change in a person's brain caused by a disease or similar. It is also possible to have mixed dementia or a dementia with more than one cause. The top causes of dementia include Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. But among these causes, Alzheimer's disease is by far the most common cause of dementia in the United States.

Alzheimer's is reported to be the cause of well over 60 to 80% of dementia cases in the country. Alzheimer's is not just about forgetting facts, figures, and details. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that gets exponentially worse to the point that it completely takes away a person's cognitive function and mobility. Although most Alzheimer's cases in the country were diagnosed at 65 years old or older, there is still a large portion of younger people diagnosed before this age.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are about 5.8 million Alzheimer's cases in the US and 200,000 of which are early-onset Alzheimer's or those people who were diagnosed at a younger age. It is also interesting to note that there are more female Alzheimer's cases than males. But this little factoid can be attributed to the higher longevity of women than men rather than the effect of the disease itself. If Alzheimer's is this prevalent across the states and does not have any regard for gender and age, is there a cure?

Unfortunately, researchers have yet to find a cure for Alzheimer's. That is why more people opt to seek care from family members or care professionals when the disease worsens.

Although there are still more people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia independently, the number of residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia that memory care home in Missouri in other states report continues to increase steadily. This change of heart can be attributed to the enhancement of the care that facilities provide, the availability of select memory care units, and the overall improvement of a care community's image. But when is the right time to transition to a memory care community?

When to Move to a Missouri Dementia Care Community

As Alzheimer's and dementia do not have a fixed age of onset nor a set rate of progression, there is no actual age or period that dictates that it's the time to move a loved one to a memory care home in Missouri. However, geriatricians suggest that you consider the following things.

• Behavioral changes
• Their safety and security
• Changes in their health status
• Stage of the disease
• Caregiver's health and well-being.

Some of the questions that may help you further reassess the issue include:

• Are you, as the primary caregiver, able to maintain your cool despite the sudden behavioral changes that a loved one exhibits?
• Are you able to be patient when a loved one lashes out due to the frustration of forgetting how small tasks work or being incapable of doing things that they used to do regularly?
• Are you able to assist them with personal care and hygiene when they forget how to do these as well?
• Are you still able to leave a loved one for a short period of time without fear that they might get lost in an unknown place because they got confused and disoriented along the way?
• Can you confidently look after your loved one to ensure that they eat, drink, and take their medication regularly to not let their health decline?
• Are you prepared to handle the incontinence and immobility that the latter stages of Alzheimer's and dementia can bring?
• Are you able to give consistent high-level care when a loved one reaches a point in the disease that they are no longer able even to feed themselves?
• Can you confirm that you are still able to complete other duties and responsibilities outside of caregiving?
• Do you still maintain contact with other family members and friends and not feel left out of the loop?
• Do you still take the time to look out for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being?
• Are you still confident that you can give the best care for your loved one in the long-term?

It is ideal to reflect upon these questions periodically because as a progressive disease, Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia gradually gets worse as time passes. If you can no longer confidently say 'yes' and are just taking more time to think of ways not to say 'no,' then maybe it is time to look for a Missouri memory care facility for your loved one.

Admission to a Missouri Memory Care Facility

Although the Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services does not explicitly say that a Missouri memory care community must state their admission requirements, the regulating body does require the facility to state the services they are able and unable to provide. This precaution to ensure that residents are properly cared for also restricts resident admissions in Missouri's memory care homes.

Missouri residents who are over 65 years old or have a diagnosed disability are eligible for admission in a memory care home. Mobile or bedridden individuals who are already receiving hospice care and need high-level nursing care may also be admitted.

However, a bedridden person who requires constant care may not be admitted in a memory care community if they are not already a recipient of hospice care from a medical professional. Similarly, those who require regular medical care from licensed medical staff or those who need more than one person to provide daily living assistance may also be barred from entry. Lastly, people who need to be continuously restrained (physically or chemically) or those who can harm themselves or other residents may not be admitted.

Despite these requirements, some Missouri memory care communities may offer special considerations depending on your loved one's case. That is why you should schedule a visit to a care facility before removing it from your prospect list.

Choosing the Right Missouri Dementia Care Facility

Finding a memory care home in Missouri for your family member with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia is a personal journey. However, you may want to start by compiling a list of the things that your loved ones want and what their care needs. Compile this list and search through the Internet or business listings. Then, you can compare your list to the services that these communities have to offer. Once you have narrowed down your choices, you can schedule a tour of the facility and a meeting with the management and the staff members who are in-charge of resident care. During the meeting, you may want to ask them questions like these.

• Are you allowed to participate in the care planning?
• How involved should you be, and are allowed to be in the care process?
• How are you informed of changes in health status and care needs?
• Who can you contact for updates and inquiries?
• Does the facility have the services and amenities that your loved one needs?
• When do licensed medical professionals visit the community?
• How many staff members are specifically trained for memory care?
• What does the process look like when a resident needs to visit the hospital?
• What is the staff to resident ratio?
• Are the living areas and bathrooms well-appointed and accessible?
• Can new residents bring personal things?
• Is the building easy to navigate and accessible to people with disabilities?
• How are the indoor and outdoor spaces?
• What are the usual recreational activities for residents?
• What are the policies and processes for visits?
• How are meals planned, and can they cater to specific dietary needs?
• What are the discharge policies and procedures?
• Are continuing care and aging in place available?

Security measures in memory care facilities in Missouri

Memory care facilities in Missouri implement a variety of security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, especially those with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other cognitive impairments. These measures are designed to protect individuals from wandering, accidents, and other risks while promoting a sense of autonomy and dignity.

Here are some common security measures implemented in memory care facilities in Missouri:

1. Secure Entrances and Exits

Memory care facilities are often equipped with secure entrances and exits to prevent residents from wandering outside the facility. This can include locked doors, coded entry systems, and sensor systems that alert staff when a door is opened. These systems are crucial to ensure that residents who are prone to wandering do not leave the premises unsupervised.

2. 24/7 Surveillance

Many memory care facilities are equipped with surveillance cameras placed strategically around the property, both indoors and outdoors. These cameras help monitor residents' movements, ensure the staff is providing proper care, and protect against unauthorized individuals entering the facility. However, privacy considerations are taken into account, and cameras are generally placed in common areas rather than private rooms.

3. Personalized Tracking Devices

To prevent wandering, some facilities use personalized tracking devices that are worn by residents. These devices can be bracelets, pendants, or wristbands that track the location of individuals. If a resident moves beyond a set boundary, the device sends an alert to staff, enabling quick intervention and preventing potential harm.

4. Staff Training

Security in memory care facilities is also a function of the staff’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies and manage residents with cognitive impairments. Staff members undergo specialized training in dementia care, conflict resolution, and emergency procedures. This includes techniques to manage wandering behavior and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.

5. Fenced and Secured Outdoor Areas

Memory care facilities often have enclosed outdoor areas to allow residents to enjoy the outdoors safely. These areas are typically fenced and monitored to prevent residents from leaving the secure area. The outdoor spaces are designed to provide a safe environment for residents to engage in recreational activities without the risk of wandering.

6. Emergency Response Systems

In the event of an emergency, memory care facilities are equipped with advanced alarm systems and emergency response protocols. These systems alert staff immediately to incidents such as falls, medical emergencies, or other immediate needs. Panic buttons and call systems are available in resident rooms and common areas, allowing residents or staff to summon help as needed.

7. Controlled Access to Medication

Medication management is a key security measure in memory care facilities. Access to prescription medications is tightly controlled to ensure that residents receive the correct dosages at the appropriate times. Medications are typically stored in secure, locked cabinets, and only authorized personnel are allowed to administer them.

8. Resident Identification and Monitoring

To ensure proper identification and prevent confusion, residents in memory care facilities often wear identification tags or badges. This allows staff to easily identify residents, especially those with memory impairments, and helps prevent mix-ups. Additionally, some facilities may use electronic monitoring systems that track residents’ activities and movements throughout the facility.

9. Clear Signage and Wayfinding

Memory care facilities often use specialized signage and wayfinding systems to help residents navigate the facility safely. These may include brightly colored doors, large-print signs, and pictorial cues to make it easier for residents to find their way. This reduces confusion and helps minimize the chances of getting lost or disoriented.

10. Environmental Safety Features

Facilities implement safety features such as non-slip floors, grab bars, and emergency lighting to prevent accidents. These environmental modifications are especially important for residents who may have mobility issues or impaired coordination due to cognitive decline.

11. Visitor Screening and Identification

To maintain a secure environment, memory care facilities often have strict visitor screening processes. All visitors are typically required to sign in upon entering the facility and may be asked to provide identification. This ensures that unauthorized individuals cannot access the facility and that staff knows who is on the premises at any given time.

12. Regular Safety Audits

Memory care facilities regularly conduct safety audits and assessments to ensure that security protocols are effective and compliant with state regulations. These audits review the security systems, staff training, and environmental safety features, allowing the facility to make necessary adjustments and improvements.

How to Afford Admission to a Missouri Memory Care Community

Despite being a little under the national average, relocating a loved one in a Missouri memory care home can strain your finances. That is why it is a good thing that there are state and non-state programs to help you care for a loved one with Alzheimer's or other dementia types.

• Older Americans Act Eligibility
  • Missouri residents
  • At least 60 years old
  • No income limits, but there may be a special priority to low-income seniors
• Supplemental Nursing Care Eligibility
  • Missouri resident
  • Must have a disability or higher care need certified by the Department of Health and Human Services
  • Must meet Medicaid income restrictions
• Aged and Disabled Waiver Eligibility
  • Missouri residents
  • At least 63 years old
  • Must have disabilities requiring a higher level of care
  • Medicaid-eligible

You may also look into reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance, life insurance, and veterans benefits as an additional means of financial support and the like.