North Carolina Memory Care Facilities

North Carolina is a fantastic place for seniors. The state offers a number of features and amenities unique for seniors, including high quality 55+ independent living communities and dementia care facilities. North Carolina Alzheimer’s care homes and dementia care facilities are of excellent value. Along with affordable prices, the caregiving staff is known for its southern hospitality as well as knowledgeable, well-trained personnel.

Memory care homes in NC currently rank 11th in the nation. The facilities are very reasonably priced, yet they rank higher than most other states in the southern part of the U.S. In fact, the only other states in the region with higher memory care costs are Virginia and Maryland.

When it comes to zeroing in on the right memory care facility for a family member, you need to be equipped with knowledge. While there may be many to choose from, determine which one is capable of taking care of them based on their individual needs.

With that said, here’s everything you need to know about memory care homes in North Carolina.

Detailed Cost of Memory Care Facilities in North Carolina

The first thing you need to consider is your budget and the range of facility costs. North Carolina memory care homes average $150 per day, approximately $10 less than the national average of $160 per day. The lower median rates are noteworthy as families can save $300 or more per month, and $3,600 or more per year by going with one of the averagely priced Alzheimer’s care facilities.

There are reports of dementia care facilities in North Carolina as low as $90 per day and as high as $243 per day. The top 10 percent of dementia care homes average nearly $7,300 per month, while the bottom 10 percent (and therefore most affordable NC Alzheimer’s care homes) average $2,700 per month. The gap between the highest-priced and most affordable dementia care facilities is about the same as most states in the south.

On average, you might see a rather huge difference between the costs of memory care facilities in North Carolina and other senior homes in the state. That is because these establishments cater specifically to elders with various dementia cases, including Alzheimer’s disease. These individuals have special needs compared to mentally abled seniors, and therefore, require a specific kind of residence that provides therapies and amenities tailored to their needs. Moreover, the staff in these memory care residences is trained to care for residents with cognitive issues.

North Carolina may not get the same recognition as the northeast part of the United States, yet the state is comparably dense. Some of the smaller cities in the territory have less than 50,000 residents while the largest like Charlotte have 700,000 plus.

The major cities of Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and Durham (which also feature highly esteemed universities with well-regarded medical clinics and research studies) also offer a very high selection of dementia care homes. While the universities continue to research the diseases of Alzheimer’s and dementia, many families prefer their loved ones to be near the latest breakthroughs and specialized doctors that can hopefully help with these terrible diseases.

If the big city is not ideal for your loved one or your family, other noteworthy places with a fair selection of dementia care homes in North Carolina include Fayetteville, Wilmington, High Point, Greenville, and Asheville.

With the various options for memory care homes available in the state, finding the right one based on your budget and your loved one’s needs is much easier.

North Carolina Dementia Care - Amenities

Amenities are the next thing you should consider when looking for an assisted living facility for your loved one. You have to ensure their individual needs are met, and the entire place is safe and secure. It also needs to be a comfortable living space that won’t make them feel like they are in an institution. Instead, it should provide a home and community atmosphere.

The top-rated North Carolina memory care facilities offer all the best amenities. These include daily meal servings, housekeeping, safe and secure buildings, regularly scheduled programs, and day use rooms for arts and crafts.

Remember, dementia patients have difficulties with their cognitive function, particularly memory problems. Thus, it is imperative that the Alzheimer’s care home you choose for your loved one ensures that these concerns are addressed.

In addition, 24/7 security must be in place to keep residents safe within the facility’s compounds and to keep the rest of the world out. This also guarantees your loved one won’t be able to go out on their own. Due to their mental state, it is easy for them to be confused and end up in a place where their safety is compromised.

Specialized treatment for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia is offered with assistance for daily functions like getting in and out of bed, hygiene, getting dressed, and assistance eating. Furthermore, North Carolina dementia care homes help avoid wandering and getting lost, which are common symptoms of residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, by providing security pendants and color-coded walls, among other security features. These services will help reassure families that their loved ones are well taken care of and safe.

You should also ask care facilities whether they can provide the special dietary needs your loved one may be used to. A good memory care home will be able to serve them healthy and delicious food, whether they are vegetarian, vegan, lactose-intolerant, afflicted with another health condition, or have allergies.

Some dementia patients are not comfortable eating with many people during mealtimes. It’s best if the facility you find in the state has multiple dining areas where they can group residents based on their behavior. Allowing residents to dine by themselves at their private living spaces or receive personal assistance from the staff is also a great feature.

Inspect all amenities the facilities provide, including bedrooms and bathrooms. Individuals with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia re more prone to accidents in these places. Bathrooms should be equipped with stable floor mats and handles to avoid slipping, and bedrooms must be clutter-free. Hallways should also have railings for extra safety.

Facilities should also install features that can help residents navigate their way, such as colored hallways. If you check the place out yourself and find that you easily get lost, then your loved one will have more difficulty moving from one area to another.

When Is Your Loved One Ready for Memory Care?

About 5.9 million people in the US alone have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Often, family members have to keep a close eye on a loved one diagnosed with dementia as they are more likely to wander and get lost. Plus, they tend to be forgetful, which could be a risk for them to be in danger in their own homes.

North Carolina memory care units are good options for individuals with dementia that affects their day-to-day lives. These are facilities where the staff is trained to work with dementia patients.

But when is the right time to send a loved one to an NC Alzheimer’s care facility? Here are 3 signs that indicate it’s the right time for a move:

A Decline in Physical Health

This might be the first sign you’ll notice. If your loved one is getting frail and thin, they might be neglecting to care for themselves. It could be as simple as forgetting to shop for groceries or taking their meds. They might even be unable to remember their meals, which would explain the weight loss.

Behavioral Changes

A person with dementia may often feel agitated, anxious and confused. But perhaps the most significant change is when they tend to overlook the basics of daily living. Even those who are meticulous about their appearance may cease to bathe or style their hair every day.

Absence of a Caregiver

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients require constant care and attention, which a significant other, spouse, or a member of the family usually provides. But there may come a time when a caregiver would not be available, for varied reasons.

Sometimes, caregivers of an individual with dementia feel overwhelmed and may not know how to deal with the patient. In these cases, they give up and leave their post. This often happens with hired non-professional help. If your loved one has the disease and no one regularly cares for them, it is better to bring them to a community where they can be given the attention they need.

Questions to Ask North Carolina Memory Care Communities During a Tour

North Carolina offers many options for memory care. It’s essential to check out a few facilities if you’re planning on moving your elderly family member to one. This allows you to inspect the place and study the security and comfort they provide. More importantly, it is an opportunity to ask questions about the community during your tour, which increases your knowledge and helps you and the rest of the family make the selection.

You can consider asking the following questions:

• Are the facility and the staff accredited? What type of training have they received?
• How many of them are managers certified in dementia care managers (CDCMs)?
• What level of care does the community provide?
• What is the ratio of staff members to residents during the day and at night?
• Could the staff offer personal assistance? If so, what areas do they cover?
• What is the monthly rate and its inclusions?
• Are the rooms private or semi-private?
• How secure is the community?
• How are residents grouped, if they are?
• Is there an individual care plan? How is it determined?
• What programs does the facility offer?
• Can the facility provide special care, for example, to elderly residents with diabetes or vision impairment?
• Are bedridden or wheelchair-bound residents welcome?
• What types of medical services are available? How does the facility handle emergency medical situations?
• How does the staff communicate with the families?
• Could the family members visit? If so, how and who do they contact?
• Can the staff care for physically aggressive patients? How do they handle them?
• What is the discharge policy?

Basically, families would need to know a facility’s policies on safety and security, living arrangements and amenities, community activities, and cost.

How North Carolina Memory Care Facilities Help Treat Dementia

Besides providing safety and the essential needs, top-tier NC senior care facilities also have amenities for pampering individuals with dementia. These are designed to slow down the progression of the condition.

Nevertheless, you must not expect these establishments to cure your elderly parents or grandparents of their dementia because the disease remains incurable. All they can do is help residents cope with their symptoms and allow them to live as independently as possible.

A variety of methods are available to support dementia patients, including art and music therapies, sensory stimulations, and pet therapies. Whichever method you select, it shouldn’t be overly stimulating or trigger confusion and agitation, especially for patients experiencing sundown. For example, a day of therapies can consist of art and music in the morning, and a quiet and pampering aromatherapy in the afternoon to help calm their nerves and make it easier for them to sleep at night.

Facilities must also provide one-on-one and group activities to ensure no one feels left behind or isolated. It is equally essential for individuals with dementia to participate in leisurely pursuits that promote social interactions to stimulate their minds and motor skills.

In addition to group activities and therapies, a simple but beautiful outdoor garden is a beneficial aspect in a memory care facility. The State of North Carolina boasts of picturesque vista which allows elderly residents to breathe in fresh air and see the beautiful world around them. They could relax and stimulate their senses at the same time.

At the end of the day, all you want is the best care for your loved one with dementia. If you can’t provide proper medical care and full-time attention yourself, you can ensure they are safe and comfortable in a long-term residence. North Carolina is a great place to find top-rated memory care facilities.