Sa nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Choose a Memory Care Unit for a Loved One with Dementia Dear Savvy Senior, My dad has dementia and has gotten to the point that he can’t live at home any longer. I need to fi nd a good memory care residential facility for him but don’t know where to turn. Any suggestions? Only Daughter Dear Only, Choosing a good memory care residential unit for a loved one with dementia is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and some homework. Most memory care units, sometimes called special care units, are housed within assisted living or nursing home facilities. At their best, they off er staff extensively trained in caring for people with dementia, individualized care that minimizes the use of dangerous psychotropic drugs, a homelike environment and activities that improve resident’s quality of life. But at their worst, they can off er little more than a locked door. Here are some steps that can help you fi nd a good facility and avoid a bad one. Make a list: To identify some good memory care residential units in your area ask your dad’s doctor for a referral or use an online search tool like Caring. com. Make sure the facilities on your list are close to family members and friends who can visit often, because residents with frequent visitors usually get better care. Research your options: Once you’ve made a list, call your local long-term care ombudsman (see LTCombudsman. org for contact information). This is a government official who investigates assisted living and nursing home complaints and can tell you which facilities have had problems in the past. If you’re looking at a memory care unit within a nursing home facility, use Medicare’s nursing home compare tool (Medicare.gov/care-compare), which provides a 5-star rating system. Call the facilities: Once you’ve identifi ed a few good facilities, call them to fi nd out if they have any vacancies, if they provide the types of services your father needs, what they charge and if they accept Medicaid. Tour your top choices: During your tour, notice the cleanness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem responsive and kind to its residents? Also be sure to taste the food, and talk to the current resident’s family members, if available. Also, ask about staff screening and training procedures, their turnover rate, and their staff-to-resident ratio. Make sure they provide quality activities to keep your dad engaged and fi nd out how they respond to residents who may wander or become aggressive. Because transitions can be unsettling for dementia suffers, make sure that your dad will be able to remain at the facility for the foreseeable future. And fi nd out what, if any, health conditions might require him to leave the facility or move to a higher and more expansive level of care. It’s also a good idea to make multiple visits to the facility including an unscheduled visit in the evening or weekend when the staff is more likely to be stretched thin. To help you choose a good facility, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a list of questions to ask at CommunityResourceFinder.org/Alz/Tips – click on “Tips for choosing a residential care facility” under Housing Options. Paying for care: The national average costs for memory care within an assisted living facility is over $6,000 per month, and over $8,500/ month for nursing home care, but costs can vary widely depending on location and services. Since Medicare does not cover long-term care, most residents pay for care from either personal savings, a longterm care insurance policy or through Medicaid (if available) once their savings are depleted. Or, if your dad is a veteran, he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefi t. To learn more, ask the facility director or contact the regional VA benefi t offi ce at 800–827–1000. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 22, 2024 MARIA-BABCOCK | FROM PAGE 18 Page 21 of the basketball team, and plays softball in the spring. The Everett native played in the Bay State Games Girls Basketball Showcase for the Metro team twice, winning a silver medal in 2023 and gold earlier this year. She’s the president of the EHS chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) and Spanish National Honor Society, and is a student ambassador and a member of the Key Club. She has also been presented with a National Women in Sports Leadership Award. When she’s not on the fi eld or court, you can fi nd Emilia playing the violin in the EHS high school orchestra. She is a youth basketball and softball coach, and sailing instructor, as well. She hopes to become a physical therapist after college. All six of these future leaders were selected based on their achievements and involvement in academics, community service, athletics and leadership roles. The Bay State Games Future Leaders Scholarship program was established in 1989, and has since distributed nearly $400,000 in fi nancial aid. Each of these high school seniors will receive a $1,000 scholarship to help cover costs during their freshman year in college. “Since its inception, the Future Leaders Scholarship Program has recognized outstanding high school students that excel in the classroom, in the community and on the fi eld of play,” said Kevin Cummings, Executive Director of the Bay State Games. “We are proud that this program has provided nearly $400,000 in aid to support the continuing education of these well deserving student-athletes that represent all regions of Massachusetts (in) many diff erent sports.” Dom Persuitte, Maria-Babcock’s EHS soccer coach, was Everett High School three-sport star Emilia Maria-Babcock. thrilled for her after hearing the Bay State Games news. “I couldn’t be more pleased (in hearing about this) honor, as it truly refl ects her dedication and hard work,” he said. “From my perspective as her soccer coach, I have witnessed Emilia’s relentless effort on and off the fi eld. She consistently puts in the extra work during practice, and her commitment to improvement is inspiring. Beyond her athletic abilities, Emilia is a true team player. She uplifts her teammates, and (also) fosters a spirit of collaboration that enhances our team dynamics. She is always motivating her teammates when the morale is on the lower level, yet manages to still make everyone laugh and make playing enjoyable. Emilia is a true team player. She leads by example, always encouraging her teammates and fostering a positive environment. She is a true leader, because she took on the role of goalkeeper this year and (the last) half of the previous season. Only a true leader would have done that. While most athletes would have just talked about switching roles, Emilia did it, and was extremely successful at the new position. That right there is a defi - nition of a future leader. “This honor would mean a lot to Emilia, as I have mentioned she works extremely hard and puts in the work. She puts the team fi rst, which is hard at this age, as most athletes are only thinking about themselves and their records,” added the veteran Everett coach. “I believe the Bay State Games recognized her for her leadership qualities and her ability to inspire others. This honor is a testament to her character, and I’m excited to see how she continues to grow as a leader in our community.” For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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