Your Memory Care Checklist: 6 Considerations for Families Looking for a Community

When busy and far-flung family members can get together in person only a few times a year, each extended visit can shed new light on changes in their parents’ memories, personalities, sociability, judgment, financial habits, and other factors.

If cognitive decline has advanced to the point of compromising your loved one’s safety and/or quality of life, it’s time to explore residential memory care. These communities provide 24-hour support, structure, and security within a compassionate, homelike setting.

We’ve put together a memory care checklist that highlights essential qualities every exceptional memory care facility should provide—comfort, safety, and dignity for your loved one.

Your Family’s Memory Care Checklist

1. Compassionate and Qualified Memory Care Staff

What to look for:

• Staff members with specialized training in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. Ask about CDP^® certification and others.
• Low staff-to-resident ratios and consistent caregivers
• Gentle communication and patience during moments of confusion or frustration

Why it matters:
Staff members are the heart of a memory care facility. Their compassion, consistency, and understanding foster trust and emotional stability for seniors with dementia or other forms of memory loss, helping them feel secure, respected, and cared for every day.

2. Personalized Care Planning and Levels of Support

What to look for:

• Individualized care planning that adapts to changing cognitive and physical needs
• On-site access to skilled nursing or 24/7 nursing to avoid the stress of moving to unfamiliar places with unfamiliar faces
• Flexible support that preserves independence where possible

Why it matters:
Every person’s journey with memory loss is different. A strong care plan ensures that seniors with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia receive the right level of care with dignity and respect. Their families also have peace of mind knowing their loved ones’ needs will be met as they change over time.

3. Safe and Purposeful Environment

What to look for:

• Secure entrances and exits, enclosed gardens or yards
• Simple navigation, where hallways are short and all lead to the center of activity
• Bright, clearly labeled spaces that reduce confusion and anxiety
• Fall-prevention features and adaptive design for mobility changes

Why it matters:
A well-designed environment allows residents to move about freely while remaining safe. Comforting surroundings also promote familiarity and confidence—crucial for those living with cognitive decline who may wander or fear becoming lost or embarrassed if they don’t know where to go.

4. Engaging Daily Activities and Social Opportunities

What to look for:

• Meaningful programs like art and music therapy, sensory experiences, and exercise adapted for cognitive abilities
• Small-group or one-on-one activities that promote engagement
• Encouragement for residents to express creativity and connect socially

Why it matters:
Structured, stimulating routines help preserve memory function and improve mood. For seniors with dementia, thoughtful, personalized engagement brings a sense of purpose, joy, and connection.

5. Family Involvement and Communication

What to look for:

• Regular updates from the memory care staff and open communication channels
• Support for family visits, education sessions, and care meetings
• A true partnership between caregivers and family members

Why it matters:
When families and care teams work together, residents receive more consistent, truly personalized support. Open communication builds trust and helps families stay actively involved in their loved ones’ journeys.

6. Warmth, Dignity, and Compassion in Care

What to look for:

• Staff members who treat people, not diagnoses
• A culture of empathy and patience
• Environments where laughter, friendship, and kindness are part of daily life

Why it matters:
The best communities go beyond meeting physical needs—they nurture the spirit. True compassion transforms care from routine support into meaningful human connection.

Why Families Trust The Delaney^® at The Green

At The Delaney at The Green, every detail of our memory care neighborhood checks all the boxes on your memory care checklist. Our experienced team provides:

• Expert memory care staff trained in Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Lewy body dementia care, and other forms of memory loss
• Personalized care planning that adjusts to each resident’s unique health and preferences
• Secure, inviting spaces that promote comfort, safety, and independence
• Engaging programs designed to spark joy, memory, and social connection
• Around-the-clock support from compassionate professionals dedicated to dignity and respect

Families trust The Delaney because we focus on what matters most—quality of life, security, and a sense of belonging.

Schedule a tour today to discover how The Delaney at The Green’s specialized Heartfelt Connections—A Memory Care Program^® can add joy and meaning to your loved one’s life, and peace of mind to yours.