My mom is in Assisted Living with an additional care package that includes medication management, shower assistance and reminders for ADLs, like help getting up in the mornings and choosing clean clothes, remembering to brush her teeth, etc. She has Mild Cognitive Impairment, no significant progression for years, so doc presumes it is not Alzheimer's, Lewy body, etc.
Her facility has two levels of Memory Care available, and I know they will recommend to me when they think she needs to move, but I'm seeing a decline in cleanliness after toileting, with some failures to get clean and I'm thinking that she may need more help with that.
What are the differences specifically between AL and MC at most facilities, in terms of the care given? (I know that socially, it will be a different population with less ability to form relationships and talk. She is NOT ready to move socially.). Can someone with some incontinence and cleanliness after toileting problems even stay in AL? Mom has a call button necklace, but isn't aware enough to USE it to get help after toileting.
Maybe there is a resource on this site that I haven't found that discusses the difference, but I'm also interested in people's experiences.
Thank you in advance!
I learned that when I learned of a MC facility that was very impressive. My husband is not allowed there because he has a feeding tube because that requires SNF care. A MC facility is only AL level of care.
Some AL facilities have a special MC wing that is locked but that wing is still only AL.
Ask your facility if they provide incontinence care for an additional fee.
Just remember MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) sometimes progresses gradually to dementia and later can be identified as a specific type such as Alheimers, Lewy Bodies, Frontal Temporal or other identified named dementia.
Many professionals suggest it's time to consider memory care when the answer to one or more of these questions becomes "yes":
Is the person unsafe if left alone for even short periods?
Are they wandering or trying to leave?
Do they need frequent redirection throughout the day?
Are they becoming distressed because they're confused?
Is their behavior affecting other residents?
Are staff spending far more time with them than an assisted living setting is designed to provide?
Often the facility itself will make the recommendation. Whether someone is graduated from AL to MC often depends on the facility. All your current concerns should be discussed with the admins sooner rather than later.