Choosing A Memory Care Facility
You are not alone. Caring for someone with dementia at home is by far the biggest challenge for family caregivers. Please don’t feel guilty that you are considering memory care. Taking care of your loved one does not mean that YOU must take care of your loved one. It often means letting trained professionals do the job. Remember, you need to take care of yourself.
70% of our practice at Assisted Living Locators LA is memory care. Here is our approach to finding the right facility:
7 Best Los Angeles Memory Care Facilities
Stage 1
Mild Cognitive Impairment or Early Dementia
Symptoms
Short-term memory loss, difficulty paying bills, and following multi-step instructions. Repetitive questions and conversations. Frustration.
Best Facilities for Stage 1
A memory care environment that caters specifically to high-functioning seniors with a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In the early stages, programming to slow the decline of brain function is key. We recommend communities offering positive social engagement opportunities and engaging activities with people who are at a similar cognitive level.
Stage 2
Moderate or Mid-Stage Dementia
Symptoms
Loss of time and place orientation, forgetting parts of their history, hands-on help with activities of daily life such as getting dressed. Sometimes persons with moderate-stage Alzheimer’s will hallucinate, have delusions, or paranoia. May be exit seeking.
Best Facilities for Stage 2
This is the toughest stage for placement because the person is usually in transition and from person-to-person needs can vary greatly. Depending on whether the decline is physical, cognitive, or both we assess to determine whether a small board and care home or a larger unit with more activity is appropriate.
Stage 3
Late-Stage Dementia
Symptoms
Loss of awareness of events and surroundings. Totally dependent on others for physical care. May be non-verbal. Unable to walk or eat without assistance. Near the end, may be in bed most of the time as the body shuts down.
Best Facilities for Stage 3
Hands-on, close supervision is required for this level of care. We recommend board and care homes for people with late-stage dementia. Board and care homes are limited to six residents. The good ones we work with have at least a 1:3 ratio and specialize in the long-term care of people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
Local Los Angeles caregiver resources
01
Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
4221 Wilshire Blvd # 400, Los Angeles, CA 90010
(323) 938-3379
Dementia workshops, counseling and support groups in a variety of languages. Learn more
02
UCLA Mary Easton Center
University of California, Los Angeles, 200 Medical Plaza Driveway Suite #365A, Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 319-3222
Diagnosis, medical resources and clinical trials.
Learn more
03
USC Family Caregiver Support Center
3715 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90089
(855) 872-6060
Support for family caregivers including social workers.
Learn more04
Alzheimer’s Association
9606 S Santa Monica Blvd #200, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(323) 309-8821
National advocacy and research organization.
Learn more05
Leeza’s Care Connection
501 S Buena Vista St, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 847-3686
Support groups covering a range of caregiver needs
Learn more06
Parkinson’s Community LA
(310) 880-3143
@PDCommunityLA
www.facebook.com/ParkinsonsCommunityLA
Support groups and information for Parkinson’s care partners and family
Learn moreCheck Out Our Memory Care Blog Posts
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