Frequently Asked Questions

Memory Care FAQs
Are behavioral changes normal with dementia?
When do you know it’s time to move a parent to a Memory Care facility?
- It may be time to consider a move is when you begin to feel stress as a caregiver. It’s common for caregivers to feel overwhelmed in keeping up daily commitments while providing care for their parents or spouse.
- It may be time to move your parent to a memory care facility is when they are no longer safe at home. This includes the possibility of them wandering and not finding their way home, and balance issues which may make them a greater risk for falls.
- A decline in health is another sign that it may be time to consider a move to a memory care community. As memory loss sets in, so does the decline in your loved one’s ability to care for themselves. Often, people with dementia forget to eat, take medications, and care for themselves properly. This can lead to weight loss, neglected personal hygiene, and a hunched over appearance.
- Once an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis has been made, it is important to begin talking with your spouse or parent and looking for a memory care unit that will best meet their needs. While an immediate move may not be necessary, it is helpful to get their input while they may still be part of the decision making process.
Studies have shown that it is best to have your loved one move into a memory care community before more dangerous signs and symptoms surface. Additionally, moving to memory care in the earlier stages of the disease may make the transition much easier for all those involved.
What’s the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Not everyone with dementia has Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is just one type of dementia. Dementia is a group of symptoms which affect mental cognition such as memory and reasoning. Dementia is not a specific disease, rather an overall term. Symptoms include memory decline, poor judgment, a decreased attention span, decline in communication skills, and can include increased paranoia.
What kind of activities and programs do you have?
We strive to provide engaging and purposeful activities, geared to each resident abilities and desires. We focus on exercise, music and art therapies, recreational outings, and social gatherings. We try to tap into those activities that our residents enjoyed before they moved to our community.
How much personal assistance will my parent get?
Does Sharmar Village have private rooms?
Is your staff trained in dementia care?
How long can my loved one stay in Memory Care, and what would precipitate a move to a higher level of care?
Can I take my loved one home for a visit or out for lunch?
How often can I visit?
Should I tell my loved one beforehand if I decide to move them to Memory Care?
Do you provide respite care?
Assisted Living FAQs
Are there any one bedroom apartments?
Yes, we offer one bedroom apartments. Contact us for availability.
Do you have a wait list?
If my loved one moves to a studio, can they be on a waitlist for a bigger room?
How much does it cost?
What are the lease terms?
Will Medicare pay for it? Will insurance pay for it? Will the VA help?
How much care is offered?
Each resident moving into Sharmar Village Care Center has an individual, personalized care plan. Our services are offered a la carte. As needs change, additional services can be added.
Do you have levels of care?
Can you stay in assisted living for the rest of your life and add more services?
We hope so! If a move to a higher level of care may be necessary, we are a continuum of care community, and it is possible to move to our long term care for more services.
What activities are offered?
We have a wide variety of activities on campus. Please see our activities calendar online.
Can we provide our own furniture?
Will someone help my parent find their way around?
Do you provide transportation?
How do I convince a loved one to leave home when they aren’t ready?
Even though your loved one may not want to admit it, they still realize on some level that they are not able to do all the things that they used to do. Avoid pressure, encourage her to be a part of the decision process, but let them know you are going to start looking into places that they might want to consider “down the road.” You may also want to point out that if they continue to stay in their home and their health declines, their options will be much more limited. Gather information, tour a few communities to determine which may be the best fit. Once you’ve narrowed it down, bring your loved one along for a visit. Sample activities and ask to stay for lunch!
What do I have to do to get a resident admitted?
Contact us! We will help you with all of the details.