Finding the Right Clare Bridge® Community

Choosing the right memory care community can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you have several options within your area. You may find yourself wondering, "Where do I even begin?"

When considering the right memory care community, consider your loved one's needs and what matters most to them. Would they benefit from assistance during meal times? Would they prefer to live close to relatives? Or do they want to bring their loyal furry friend?

Once you have a general idea of what your family member needs, you can begin your search, narrow down options and start scheduling tours.

Top Things to Consider When Researching Clare Bridge Communities

Finding the right memory care community for a family member is a big decision, and it’s going to take some time. You have a lot of things to consider, like the specific needs of your loved one, community amenities and your budget. To help you with your search, we’ve put together a list of things to think about and ask as you search, tour and compare different memory care communities.

Staff

Are there staff members on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
Is the staff trained to serve residents in early, middle and late stages of dementia?
Is the community adequately staffed to care for each resident?
What training do staff members receive for managing behavioral expressions and needs, and how do they effectively handle such situations?
Does staff seem knowledgeable, caring and happy to be there?
Are there consistent care assignments?

Staff

Are there staff members on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
Is the staff trained to serve residents in early, middle and late stages of dementia?
Is the community adequately staffed to care for each resident?
What training do staff members receive for managing behavioral expressions and needs, and how do they effectively handle such situations?
Does staff seem knowledgeable, caring and happy to be there?
Are there consistent care assignments?

The Clare Bridge Community

Is the community set up to accommodate wheelchair-bound or bedridden residents?
Does the community have a dining room, activity space and a common space living room?
Are there any extra amenities, like a library, movie theater or exercise room?
Are there indoor and outdoor recreation areas?
Are the apartments furnished or do you need to provide your own furniture?
Do they use wayfinding cues like contrasting wall colors to help navigation?
Are the community entrances and exits secure?
Can a resident bring their pet with them?

The Clare Bridge Community

Is the community set up to accommodate wheelchair-bound or bedridden residents?
Does the community have a dining room, activity space and a common space living room?
Are there any extra amenities, like a library, movie theater or exercise room?
Are there indoor and outdoor recreation areas?
Are the apartments furnished or do you need to provide your own furniture?
Do they use wayfinding cues like contrasting wall colors to help navigation?
Are the community entrances and exits secure?
Can a resident bring their pet with them?

Services

Does each resident have an individualized care plan?
Does the community provide a personal assessment before admitting new residents?
Is there a visiting physician or are you allowed to coordinate outside (visiting) care?
What is the community policy for handling emergency medical situations?
How often does the community update family members on the resident’s health?
What is the community’s discharge policy?
What is the housekeeping and laundry schedule?

Services

Does each resident have an individualized care plan?
Does the community provide a personal assessment before admitting new residents?
Is there a visiting physician or are you allowed to coordinate outside (visiting) care?
What is the community policy for handling emergency medical situations?
How often does the community update family members on the resident’s health?
What is the community’s discharge policy?
What is the housekeeping and laundry schedule?

A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding a Clare Bridge Community

We've outlined some steps to help you feel more familiar with the process of finding a community. Here's what you can expect:

Step 1: Choose a Location

The very first decision you need to make is geographic location. Would it be better for your loved one to remain in the area where they live now, or would they have a better support system if they lived closer to friends and family members who could be more involved with their healthcare decisions and day-to-day life?

Step 2: Create a List of Questions

Use the list of questions above or create your own list of general questions you want answered when touring communities. Tailor these questions to your loved one’s wants and needs — after all, this will be their new home!

Step 3: Tour Your Options

Once you’ve picked a specific location and created a general list of questions, begin your search for memory care communities in the area. If you think the list of potential options is too long, you might want to pick your top three to five communities before scheduling visits and taking tours. Desired communities may vary person to person, so be sure to have an idea of your preferences and then choose accordingly.

From here, schedule a tour by calling the community. Visiting in person will help you get a feel for the environment and people your loved one would spend time with every day. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about the amenities and services.

Step 4: Prepare for the Move

After touring your top communities, you should have a better idea of which one is the best fit for your loved one. Reach out to your desired community to begin the move-in process and start to prepare belongings for the move.

Step 5: Settle In

Now that you’ve found the right community and moved in, it’s time to get to know your loved one’s new neighbors and their family members. It's also a good time to involve your loved one in meaningful programs. This can help them stay engaged and find purpose while enjoying their individual passions and hobbies. You can also take this time to share any important feedback with the community. We welcome your loved one home!

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