Memory care
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DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S CARE
Memory care that
fits the person.
The right support may be care at home, frail care with light memory support, or a dedicated memory-care unit.
Concerned about new symptoms? A doctor should assess sudden or unexplained changes in memory, thinking or behaviour. Medwell provides care, not a diagnosis.
START WITH WHAT HAS CHANGED
Begin with
the everyday changes.
Dementia can affect memory, thinking, communication, mood and everyday tasks. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.
A Medwell nurse starts with the person: what they can still do, where they live, where help is needed and what support is available.
CHOOSING THE SETTING
Could care at home still work,
or is 24-hour support needed?
CARE AT HOME
Keep the familiar place and routine
Home care may fit when risks can be managed with the right supervision, daily support and nursing plan.
- Help with personal care, meals and daily routines
- Medication support within the agreed care plan
- Discuss day, night or round-the-clock care
DEDICATED MEMORY CARE
A dedicated setting with support day and night
It may be time to discuss dedicated memory care when the person gets lost, leaves home unsafely, or needs more support than the home can sustain.
- A care setting planned around memory loss
- Close supervision and help with everyday needs
- A care plan reviewed as the person's needs change
DEDICATED MEMORY-CARE UNITS
Dedicated memory care is available
at three Medwell locations.
Availability and suitability depend on the person's needs and space at the chosen care centre.
LIGHT MEMORY SUPPORT
Not every person needs a dedicated unit.
Some Medwell frail-care centres can support manageable memory loss as part of general care. This is different from a dedicated memory-care unit. A nurse must first assess whether the setting can meet the person's needs safely.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about
memory care.
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is a general term for changes in memory, thinking and everyday functioning caused by several conditions. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. A doctor can help identify the cause and guide the next steps.
Can someone living with dementia remain at home?
Yes, many people living with dementia can remain at home with the right support. This depends on the person's needs, how safe the home is, the supervision available and the support the family can provide. A Medwell nurse can assess the situation and help the family decide whether care at home is still practical and safe.
Does every Medwell care centre offer dedicated memory care?
Not every Medwell care centre has a dedicated memory-care unit. These units are available at Waterkloof Marina, Buh-Rein and Great Oaks. Some other Medwell care centres may be able to support a person with manageable memory loss within frail care, subject to a nursing assessment. Medwell can help the family understand which setting may suit the person's needs.
What happens after an enquiry?
A care adviser will first listen to what has changed and where support is needed. A Medwell nurse can then assess the person and talk the family through the options, whether that is care at home, frail care or a dedicated memory-care unit.
Unsure which kind of care is needed?
Describe what has changed, even if the kind of help needed is not yet clear.