According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 110,000 Maryland residents are living with this life-changing disease. If someone in your family has received a diagnosis, you may be looking for ways to help them get the support they need. Since we’ve provided dementia care in Silver Spring, Maryland, for more than 25 years, we’ve prepared this guide to help you learn more about memory care facilities and how they can help your loved one.

What Is Memory Care?

Memory care is a form of residential long-term care designed for people who have Alzheimer’s or memory impairments, such as Lewy body dementia, Huntington’s disease and related conditions. Like assisted living, this form of care helps residents with their day-to-day needs by providing meals, recreational activities and activities of daily living. There are many key differences that help certified memory care facilities better meet the needs of dementia patients.

Assisted Living vs Memory Care

Assisted living is a great option for seniors who are more independent. These facilities provide housing, meals, activities and supportive services 24 hours a day. For safety reasons, they’re typically restricted from admitting residents who have dementia or cognitive impairments unless they have a special memory care unit. Some assisted living facilities in Silver Spring are like this, but you may prefer a community that provides these services exclusively. Here are a few advantages of memory care:

• Direct-care staff have specialized training related to dementia and memory loss.
• Enhanced security features prevent wandering and address safety concerns.
• Therapeutic activities are geared toward residents’ interests and abilities.
• Memory care facilities are qualified to administer prescribed medications.

Clifton Woods: Our Memory Care Home in Silver Spring, MD

Located in Silver Spring’s Colesville neighborhood, Clifton Woods is our first memory care facility. It features eight single-occupancy rooms plus a communal dining room, kitchen, living room and great room. These spaces provide a homelike feel that brings residents and staff together.

We maintain a 1-to-3 staff-to-resident ratio during the day and a 1-to-4 ratio in the evening. Our team includes a clinical nursing director, operations coordinator, business manager and full-time activities therapist. Many of our staff members have been with us for over a decade.

Is Memory Care Right for Your Loved One?

Residential Alzheimer’s care in a dedicated facility certainly isn’t the only option, but it’s one of the most convenient choices for families. It provides a variety of benefits for seniors to enhance their quality of life, and it offers loved ones greater peace of mind.

• Personalized care plans are developed by an interdisciplinary team. At Cedar Creek, we get to know each resident, and we even test our staff on their knowledge.
• Dementia may cause a loss of appetite and decreased interest in food. Memory care facilities offer customized meal plans to encourage optimal nutrition and hydration.
• Nurses and caregivers work together to manage residents’ health, including medications and strategies for controlling other medical conditions.
• Personal care services help residents with hygiene, dressing, grooming and related activities to help them build a meaningful daily routine.
• Social engagement can protect against cognitive decline. Memory care communities offer enriching activities in a comfortable setting designed to promote healthy social connections.
• Dementia care facilities provide 24-hour staffing and supervision to address personal needs, challenging behaviors and potential safety concerns as they arise.

Taking the Next Step

If you’re considering memory care for a loved one, we invite you to visit Clifton Woods or one of our other memory care homes near Silver Spring, MD, and Washington, DC. Our compassionate staff members have been serving families across Montgomery County since 1995. We can help you compare your options to ensure you’re making the right decision.