When someone close to you requires memory care, it’s important to look for assistance that is family-centered. Memory loss and dementia are family illnesses—they affect the family, not just the senior resident. With this in mind, the best care will keep loved ones involved in the resident’s care.

Families play a vital role in the well-being of seniors with memory loss and dementia. Emotional, social and developmental support cannot be found just through dedicated and skilled care. Family-centered care helps maintain the dignity of both individuals and their families.

By ensuring that families stay involved in the care of their loved ones, family-centered care allows patient and family perspectives, including values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds to be incorporated into the planning and delivery of care. Family-centered care also enables a strong base for communication in which health care practitioners share information with both patients and their families. In the case of memory care, it’s incredibly important that families receive timely, accurate information about their loved ones.

If someone in your family has memory loss or dementia, you and the rest of your family also require compassionate care as your family changes. The best care is available when residents, their families, staff and the surrounding community work together to build a warm, intimate environment that celebrates the dignity and individuality of each resident, while upholding the family networks that love and care for them.

AlmaVia of San Rafael is proud to provide family-centered care, and strives to meet the needs of residents, families and staff. For more information about our programs, visit www.almaviaofsanrafael.org.