Navigating the Transition: Tips for Families Considering Memory Care for Their Loved Ones
May 13, 2025
Coming to terms with the needs of a loved one who requires memory care is a complex matter that is as challenging emotionally as it is logistically. In fact, many people who are in this position put off deciding until the situation is so dire that they have no choice. A better approach, however, is assessing your unique circumstances and making well-informed decisions that are based on the best interests of your loved one. At The Hickman in Pennsylvania, we understand your dilemma and have the compassion and the insight to help you make the right choices for you and your relative.
Know Your Loved One’s Needs
If you’re thinking about memory care for a close relative, there is a reason, and the most important first step you can take in the decision-making process is assessing their needs from a realistic perspective. Understanding the level of support your loved one requires in each of the following categories will help you make critical decisions moving forward:
- Activities of daily living, which relate to the level of assistance needed with the basics such as personal hygiene, dressing, and eating
- Behavioral concerns, which relate to issues such as aggression, wandering, isolation, and withdrawal
- Medical needs, which relate to any serious health issues that require close and ongoing medical care
When you have a better understanding of your relative’s specific needs, you’ll be better prepared to make well-informed decisions on their behalf moving forward. As their needs in these primary categories increase, the benefits afforded by a well-managed memory care facility also increase.
Take a Look Around
Not all memory care facilities meet the same standards of excellence. Further, you’re looking for a residence that offers your loved one the care they need and is also a good fit. At The Hickman in Pennsylvania, we check both boxes. Our memory care neighborhood is inspired by the Montessori approach, which focuses on engagement in a person-centered environment that fosters independence and agency.
Ask the Right Questions
Determining that a relative needs memory care is a difficult matter in and of itself and finding the right facility for your loved one can be more difficult still. Knowing the right questions to ask and assessing the responses you receive in relation to your loved one’s best interests is an important navigational tool, and your line of questioning should focus on key topics like the following:
- The activities and therapies that are available
- How medical emergencies are handled
- Living arrangements and the level of personalization allowed
- Each staff member’s level of training in memory care
- How dietary preferences and restrictions are addressed
We Can Help with Your Memory Care Concerns
At The Hickman in Pennsylvania, we appreciate your deep concerns regarding your loved one’s memory care needs, and we offer a level and quality of services that not only honors your relative’s individuality but will also help put your mind at ease. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 484-760-6300 today.