Myths About Memory Care For The Elderly With Facts To Know

If you have a loved one who has issues with memory, it can mean someone has to be present to make sure they are safe at all times. Since taking care of someone 24/7 can be so challenging for most, memory care for the elderly is a good solution. Unfortunately, several myths may get in the way of you seeking treatment for your aging loved one with a memory problem. 

Myth: Memory care means your loved one will have no independence. 

Independence is ever-important to the emotional well-being of a senior citizen. Therefore, most caring family members are hesitant to seek memory care for fear their loved ones will lose their independence. Memory care is a lot different from nursing home care; your senior may not need around-the-clock care. The patients are usually still capable of doing a lot of things on their own, but they need someone to watch over them to keep them safe. For this reason, memory care is quite scalable to the specific needs of the patient, and a more independent individual can still do a lot on their own in the safe haven of the community or facility. 

Myth: Memory care is only for individuals who are a certain age. 

Memory care facilities are typically open to accepting people from all age groups who have problems with their memory. Memory issues can be related to age-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease or dementia, but it can also be related to something like brain trauma or congenital defects, both of which can affect people at any age. 

Myth: Insurance does not cover memory care services. 

Some types of insurance do cover at least part of the costs associated with memory care. Of course, in order for the insurance to cover some of the costs, a specific diagnosis must be made by a primary care physician that would prove the individual could need this unique type of care. It is a secondary myth that you can't seek memory care if the individual has not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, but this only applies if you are expecting medical insurance to cover some costs of care. 

Myth: Memory care is only adult day care for seniors with memory problems. 

Memory care facilities that offer daytime care services are available, but not every facility you find is going to only offer care for a set period of time in a day. Some facilities offer around-the-clock care in a community or eldercare type setting. 

If you are wondering more about some of the myths surrounding memory care, talk to a memory care service today to see what they offer.

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