New York Memory Care Facilities

Currently, 400,000 New Yorkers live with Alzheimer's disease, with an estimated 460,000 aged 65 and above expected to have the condition in 2025. Moving a loved one into a New York memory care facility means being assured that they're obtaining care in a secured environment.

Memory care programs the state of New York can take place in assisted living facilities or memory care communities, which offer dedicated programs for seniors with Alzheimer's or another type of memory loss.

New York memory care communities are in high demand, but thanks to a large selection, there is a potential new home for your loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.

If you're looking to shift your loved one into a care facility, this guide offers insight into the NY state’s memory care communities by highlighting various facets, including the costs and regulations.

Detailed Cost of New York's Memory Care

New York state memory care facilities currently rank fourth in the nation in terms of costs for being the most expensive. The only states with higher average costs for high quality dementia care other than New York are New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The four are relatively comparable in terms of monthly averages, though New Jersey is far away the most expensive, with median monthly averages that are nearly $100 more per month than New York dementia care homes. Care facilities for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's are available throughout the state of New York at a median cost of $198 daily. With the national average being $160 daily, you can expect to incur more charges in New York. However, while the costs add up, you are assured of exceptional care quality at New York's dementia care homes.

On average, you will spend $6,000 or more monthly and $72,000 or more per year. If this rate is seemingly costly, more affordable memory care exists in certain areas of the state, especially outside the greater New York metropolitan area. Here, it is possible to find rates below the state average, with New York dementia care homes that range between $120 and $160 per day. One facility even reported daily rates as low as $114 per day.

Some of the most expensive Alzheimer’s care homes charge up to $300 daily, particularly in Brooklyn and Manhattan. It's worth noting that in terms of cost, a huge gap exists between the top 10% and bottom 10% care facilities in New York. The most affordable facilities average $3,400 monthly, while the most expensive 10% average $10,300 monthly, accounting for almost $7,000 difference monthly.

For those seeking a less crowded, quieter place for their loved one's memory care, upstate New York does feature a decent selection of quality dementia care with standard amenities. Upstate New York includes Albany, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Utica and White Plains, which are popular for senior living, including top ranked dementia care. Niagara Falls is also a prime destination for memory care communities in New York state.

Memory Care Facilities

Over the years, care facilities have gained popularity among seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia-related conditions. These establishments promote independent lifestyles along with assistance with daily tasks. New York's memory care communities frequently provide activities that aid social awareness among residents to slow down the development of conditions associated with memory loss.

These activities include recreational days and scheduled outings. Most dementia care residences provide bathing and grooming as well as housekeeping assistance. Furthermore, they offer 24/7 resident supervision and some extra medical-related services.

New York memory care facilities are usually in high demand owing to superior amenities. They feature numerous floor plan options, including private and shared apartment-style rooms and are specially built and designed for housing individuals who need specialized care to address their symptoms.

Patients with some form of degenerative brain disorder, such as dementia, exhibit psychological and physical symptoms that could affect their daily lives. Symptoms include loss of crucial thinking capacities and memory loss, which could lead to a sufferer's frustration or anger. Care facilities in New York provide trained staff who can manage these symptoms when residents need extra assistance to cope with feeling overwhelmed.

This specialized care level isn't available at other types of homes since involved care isn't always required by individuals with other health conditions. Therefore, dementia and Alzheimer's patients obtain a personalized and customized treatment which centers on alleviating their symptoms and decelerating the progression of the disease.

Amenities in New York's Memory Care Homes

Memory care communities in NY provide residents the necessary medical care and housing in one place. In addition to personal services required for live-in residents, various amenities exist to distinguish the communities from others.

The list of services in these facilities considers all needs such as laundry and cleaning services, as well as help with bathing and feeding. Residents who cannot handle daily tasks, like going to the bathroom or brushing their teeth, will equally receive special care to make sure they continue to live meaningful lives.

Residential and medical care are major components in New York's memory care facilities. They provide emergency services to residents when they fall or are in pain, along with 24/7 medical supervision for appropriate medication monitoring. They keep residents constantly safe while ensuring staff is available whenever they require assistance.

Regulations and Laws on New York's Memory Care

In New York state, memory care facilities fall under the category of adult-care facilities, which offer supervision, housing, meals, and personal assistance with bathing and mobility. Memory care facilities differ from conventional assisted living in numerous ways. They provide more supervision and security, extra recreational activities that target patients with dementia, and staff with special training. The laws surrounding memory care facilities in New York include:

Admission Prerequisites

An operator of dementia care facilities should conduct a pre-admission assessment on any potential resident to ensure they're a suitable match for the establishment. A facility is responsible for ensuring the comfort and safety of all residents, so they can admit only those who don't pose a threat to the current resident population.

Moreover, a care facility cannot admit individuals with serious mental illnesses. Those with minor mental illnesses, for instance, clinical depression, shouldn't constitute over 25% of the population within the facility.

Staff and Training

All staff members at New York's memory care facilities should undergo training and orientation, both prior to employment and on an ongoing basis. Personnel working directly with Alzheimer's patients should be provided with training particular to this population. This comprises topics on common behaviors related to dementia, such as cognitive and emotional changes that take place with the disease's progression.

Administrators of Alzheimer’s facilities must meet professional and educational licensure prerequisites, while all personnel must undergo training on the establishment's policies, including evacuation.

Administrators require at least 60 hours of formal education, and resident aides require 40 hours of education and 12 hours of ongoing education annually. The state doesn't specify requirements regarding the staffing number. New York simply stipulates that a care facility should have sufficient personnel to meet the residents' needs. It's up to the facility to establish the staff number required to address these.

Medication Management

This aspect must be evident in all service plans. Any staff can and is allowed to open medicine bottles, remind residents to take their medications, and note the time they took medication. However, the physical administration of medication may be done only by a licensed medical professional.

Facility Requirements

Residents in New York's memory care facilities can have their own rooms or share them with a suitable roommate. A unit should have at least a sink and a toilet for all residents along with a shower or bathtub per 10 residents. Moreover, plenty of space must exist for residents to engage in activities such as watching TV and playing games.

In terms of safety, each facility should adhere to stringent policies, for example, the number of sprinklers, fire alarms, and carbon dioxide detectors. Restrooms must be equipped with non-slip floor mats and handrails, while private areas such as restrooms and bedrooms should have an emergency call system installed.

How to Transition Your Loved One to a Memory Care Facility in NY State

For individuals with memory loss due to dementia, moving can be a huge challenge. In some instances, they might experience transfer trauma – a group of symptoms related to changing residences in the senior years. It's possible to minimize it if you take the time to plan the transition with these tips.

Engage your loved one in an open and sincere conversation

It's natural to want to avoid this uncomfortable subject, but the discussion is imperative to set your loved one's expectations, and to assure them that they play an important role in the decision making. They reserve the right to know, and while this might be a difficult conversation, you'll feel better for being forthcoming.

Involve the doctor if they proposed the move. In this case, your loved one will probably receive the news better. During your dialogue, you must reassure them that they will still be a part of the family, so there's no need to worry about residing in a different place. You might need to have this conversation repeatedly, but it will become easier as you get more comfortable and accustomed to what you're saying.

Create a familiar setting in their new environment

Your loved one’s apartment at the memory care community should resemble their private living space at home. The familiarity will offer psychological comfort and reinforce their normal daily routine. This helps sufferers cope with their new surroundings.

Respect your loved one's feelings on move day

The care facility’s staff must be well prepared to welcome your loved one on their moving day, and work to acclimate them to their new place. You need to understand that this day can be tough for you both. Your loved one might be reluctant or even refuse to get out of the vehicle.

Exercise patience and allow them to experience and share their feelings even if it means slowing down the process. Reassure your loved one again and again that the transition won't affect their position in the family. Help them appreciate the fact that the transition would enhance their health and quality of daily life.

Seek advice and take advantage of Counseling Services and Transition Programs

It's normal for your loved one to experience emotional changes after accepting they require assistance with daily activities, and consequently, relinquish their independence for around-the-clock care. Many transition programs and counseling services could offer support to your family when you need it the most.

Whether you're determining if a move is appropriate for your loved one, or you’re struggling throughout the transition, a specialist can provide encouragement and guidance.

Visit the memory care facility several times before move day

Once you've determined a suitable dementia or Alzheimer’s care facility, visit the place with your loved one on different days and times of the week. This is a great strategy for easing the process and making the transition smooth. During your visits, meet the staff and other residents while checking out their activities.

Frequent visits to their future home will make your loved one more familiar and comfortable with it. By the time they are ready to move in, they'll already be at ease.

Keep your loved one away from the moving chaos

You may allow your loved one to be involved in de-cluttering, but not in the commotion. Whether family and friends are on hand, or you’ve enlisted professional help, your loved one shouldn't have to worry about moving from one point to another. Consider assigning a family member to engage them with something else while the move occurs. Ensure that the transition is calm for them at this difficult time.

Maintain close contact with the facility staff

During the moving process, make it your responsibility to communicate with the staff. You need to determine how to contact them when necessary, so try to cultivate a relationship with the personnel early on. The better you get along with caregivers, the flawless the experience will be for your loved one.

Restrict new things

It might be tempting to furnish your loved one's new place with new furnishings in the hope that they'll be less hesitant to move. However, this won’t be the case. Remember, moving into a memory care facility in New York is a huge change where everything is new, including the food, people, and routines. Therefore, you'll want to restrict new items rather than overwhelm your loved one with them.

Create a Visitation Schedule

Establish the options for family visitations whether in person or through technology. Share this with family members and make a schedule for at least two visits per week.

Show yourself kindness

Be kind to yourself during this process. Caregivers frequently struggle with fear and guilt when it comes to shifting a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's from the home to a care facility. Remind yourself that what you’re doing is in their best interest.  It helps to remember that these facilities help dementia sufferers live a meaningful life in a secure setting.

Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer's can be difficult, particularly as the disease progresses. That's why families often turn to memory care facilities for assistance. The thoughtfully designed facilities assist those with memory loss to feel productive even with the disease but relocating a loved one is a challenge. With careful planning, however, this transition can be smooth.