Memory care is a housing and around-the-clock supervision and caregiving for people who live with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
If your loved one is experiencing memory issues, it’s not easy to watch them struggle with memory loss. Whether it’s the early signs of dementia or more advanced Alzheimer’s, the journey can feel overwhelming—for both the individual and their family.
At Netto Care, we understand that memory care should be more than just clinical support. Located in the heart of Westcliff-on-Sea, our luxury care home provides a safe and nurturing environment where residents with memory-related conditions are treated with dignity, patience, and compassion.
What is Memory Care?
Memory care is also known as memory support, dementia care or Alzheimer’s care. It refers to care services and residential facilities for people who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia causes cognitive dysfunction and memory loss, which can interfere with activities of daily living. For this reason, memory care facilities offer housing and around-the-clock supervision and caregiving. It has similar amenities to assisted living facilities, such as apartments with accessible bathrooms, meals eaten in a community area, light housekeeping services and help with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Memory care facilities have specially trained staff who offer some unique services tailored to residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s. They provide secure environments to prevent injury and wandering. The extent of care depends on the degree of their memory issues. In some cases, senior living in a memory care facility may also require skilled nursing care. Although memory care facilities and nursing homes are not the same.
Nursing homes are residential facilities that offer 24/7 medical care. Some nursing homes offer wings or “neighbourhoods” that provide high levels of memory support for residents with dementia. Another common choice is a retirement community, which integrates independent living with assisted living options. Memory care also includes at-home visits or adult day care centres. At-home visits are the most comfortable ones as the services are provided at home. While Adult day care centres also offer memory care services for the day, they don’t offer housing.
What Services are Provided in a Memory Care?
Memory care facilities work closely with families to create a personalised care plan for their loved ones. They provide specific services that may vary from facility to facility and to your loved one’s particular needs. Here are some common services that may be offered in any memory care facility, such as:
- Help with daily life activities such as bathing and dressing.
- Meals and recreational programs.
- Housekeeping services.
- Nursing services to help with medications or other needs.
- Health screenings.
- Fitness programs.
- Staff who are trained in dementia and memory disorders.
- Safe and secure outdoor environments.
- Transportation services.
- Coordination with the family regarding the individual’s care preferences.
- Family support groups.
How Does Memory Care Help Your Loved Ones?
Moving to a memory care facility is beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Here is how they can help your loved ones to live with dignity and freedom.
- 24/7 care and support
Living with dementia is challenging and may require more intensive care. Memory care facilities offer 24/7 care and support. Netto Care has specially trained staff to provide assistance with using the bathroom, getting dressed, or other personal care tasks throughout the day and night.
- Specially trained staffnett
Memory care facilities are staffed with specially trained dementia caregivers and provide compassionate support to your loved one. They are trained to deal with the changing needs of people with dementia or memory loss issues. Netto Care has specially trained dementia caregivers who are well-equipped to manage behaviours that may come with dementia, such as disorientation or paranoia.
- Individualised care plans
Every person with dementia is different, so is your loved one. That’s why your loved one will receive a tailored care plan covering their unique medical needs. Netto Care sits with families and creates a care plan that will be reviewed and adjusted to help your loved one maintain the best possible quality of life.
- Safe, secure environment
About 60% of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia will wander at least once. Wandering can be difficult to manage at home, but memory care facilities provide safe and secure environments. They may have locked exit doors or may have circular hallways so that residents can wander safely.
- Comfortable and soothing atmosphere
People with dementia may be highly sensitive to their environments. Memory care facilities create a soothing atmosphere to prevent or reduce behavioural symptoms such as agitation. For example, residents at Netto Care can enjoy music and soothing sounds.
- Engaging memory care activities
Many fun activities and programming are planned in memory care facilities that keep residents happy and busy. This will help them cope with depression and loneliness. At Netto Care, we planned activities tailored to residents’ interests and cognitive abilities.
- Opportunities for socialisation
Socialising can help to prevent loneliness and maintain cognitive function. Moving to a memory care facility may give more opportunities to your loved one to be social. They can chat with friendly caregivers or participate in group activities with other residents.
- Specialised health services
In a memory care facility, your loved one may receive specialised health services related to dementia or other memory issues. For example, Netto Care also offers therapy for mental health issues related to dementia, such as depression.
- Maintain independence
Dementia caregivers are trained to improve the independence of people with dementia. They encourage people with dementia to do most of their work by themselves without any help, such as having a bath, getting dressed, eating meals, or performing other daily tasks. At Netto Care, our caregivers will be ready to lend a helping hand when needed.
- Return to familiar family roles
The role reversal can be emotionally challenging for both of you, which comes when you care for an ageing parent or other family member. You and your loved one are able to return to familiar family roles with professional memory care. So, your loved one wants to spend more quality time with you.
How to Decide When it’s Time to Move to Memory Care?
Moving a loved one into a memory care facility can be difficult for many reasons. One of the key questions that can help you decide is whether or not you believe they are safe without daily assistance and supervision. The other thing you must consider is the quality of life they are currently experiencing. If their social life is restricted or they are not receiving much mental stimulation, you might consider a community-oriented setting that provides opportunities for socialising and recreational activities.
You must consider these two factors when you are a caregiver of your loved ones or family member; first, how these caregiving responsibilities affect your health and well-being. Second, whether or not you can continue to provide the care they need. So, if you feel overwhelmed while taking care of your loved one, it may be a good time to consider some type of memory care for them.
Searching for the Right Memory Care in Essex?
Choosing a memory care facility is one of the most important decisions a family can make. We invite you to discover Netto Care if you are exploring care homes in Southend or considering care homes in Essex, UK.
Come visit us in Westcliff-on-Sea—walk through our bright, welcoming spaces, meet our wonderful team, and see how we create a place where your loved one can truly feel at home.
Because at Netto Care, we don’t just care for memory—we care for the whole person.
Contact us today to book a visit or speak with our care advisors.
