5 Questions to Ask Your Dementia Care Community

Finding the right dementia care community for your family is one of the most important decisions you will make. We know there are a lot of factors to consider, and some families may not know where to start. We’ve created a list of questions to ask a dementia care community to ensure it is the right fit for your family. These questions center around five critical areas:

• Safety
• Care
• Health
• Engagement
• Experience

At Bella Groves, we partner with individuals and families to provide the highest level of dementia care and education. From helpful resources and personalized consulting to our residential memory care community in San Antonio, we are here for you through every step of your journey with dementia.

By asking these (and other) questions, you can ensure your family member enters the right community and receives the compassionate care, kindness, and support they need and deserve.

How Does the Community Prioritize Safety?

One of the most important questions you can ask a dementia care community is how they ensure the ongoing safety and security of residents. Due to the risk of wandering and other symptoms associated with dementia, the community should be able to share clear processes and procedures that encourage safety while still promoting independence for residents.

At Bella Groves, the safety and wellness of our residents are paramount, and we recognize that safety does not only mean physical security. It is equally important for a person living with dementia to feel emotionally safe in their environment. Through extensive training, our professional care partners learn how to support our residents every day, ensuring that they experience security, confidence, and joy.

What is the Community’s Dementia Care Philosophy?

Every person living with dementia is different, and their care must reflect that. Therefore, when you are seeking a residential community, you want to understand their approach to dementia care.

Talk to members of the team, including the Executive Director or manager, and ask them about their care program. “Do they know their dementia program enough that they can describe it? Surprisingly, you’ll find that many communities don’t train their dementia program well enough that their staff can speak to it, let alone embody its philosophies.” Learn more by reading our blog, What to Look for in a Dementia Care Team.

At Bella Groves, we do more than simply “take care” of residents. We are building a community of kindness, support, vitality, and unconditional joy. Every member of our Bella Groves team has a personal connection to dementia and a passion for helping individuals and families navigate this chapter of their lives. Ask us about our dementia care philosophy – we’d love to tell you about it.

What Does Healthy Living Mean to the Community?

When it comes to dementia care, several factors combine to make a whole and healthy lifestyle, including physical, mental, and emotional wellness. At Bella Groves, we do not simply treat dementia – we support the person living with dementia to enjoy a full and vital life.

• Creating nutritious meals: Bella Groves creates healthy and delicious meals and snacks daily for residents. And, to add more meaning to their days, residents can assist in the preparation of some meals (if safe to do so), providing another opportunity for purposeful activity.
• Leading an active lifestyle: A person living with dementia should be encouraged and supported in daily physical activity. This helps with physical health and can defend against loneliness, depression, and isolation.
• Finding purpose: We don’t believe in providing activities simply to fill time. Instead, each program that Bella Groves offers is designed to help residents make important contributions that are meaningful to them.

How Does the Community Encourage Engagement?

Engagement is more than giving a person something to do. While a person living with dementia is experiencing changes in their brain, it does not mean they no longer have goals or aren’t searching for connection and purpose.

One thing that sets Bella Groves apart as a dementia care provider is our commitment to supporting those living with dementia to lead their best lives. Activities should not aim to simply pass the time but to evoke purpose, create joy, and enhance wellness. If you’d like a consultation from one of our dementia experts regarding safe and engaging activities, please contact Bella Groves directly.

What is the Experience Like at the Community?

Finally, when searching for the right community for your family, you want to partner with people who view dementia care as their calling and mission, not just their job.

Bella Groves was born out of values, not ambition. We are driven to support individuals and families through every step of their dementia journey, starting with education and training for every team member.

Instead of a typical 4-hour training course on dementia care, our care partners embark on a 13-week training program. And, rather than the standard 8 to 1 resident to staffing ratio, our ratio is 4 to 1, allowing for more person-centered care and attention.

These action steps have allowed us to provide personalized, compassionate, expert care for our residents daily.

At Bella Groves, we help families impacted by dementia find unconditional joy. Please reach out to us for more tips and support in your research for a residential memory care community in San Antonio. We would be honored to help you in preparing for your search.