Memory Care Unit Recommendation in AL Facility in Northern New Jersey

AlysonS

Any one have a family member with dementia in a memory care unit in an assisted living facility in Northern New Jersey that you  feel is well run, impressed with staff, have stimulating activities and that seems like a happy place and not depressing.  My Mom is in one presently and we haven't been impressed so looking to hear from others.  Thanks much!

sandwichone123

Hi Alyson, This is a great national/international board with a ton of information about what to look for and how to choose a facility, but very weak on local resources. Your local Alzheimers Association office or local support group would be better for that. We're just spread too thin to help much with local specifics. There's also a support number linked to this board that might have helpful ideas. Once you have a couple of places to visit, we can help you know what to ask and what to look for.

harshedbuzz

Alyson-

Hi and welcome.

I found my local IRL support group the best resource for potential MCFs when I was looking. But the bottom line was that I needed to tour a dozen places of different kinds to get a feel for what was possible and what to expect.

There were places I toured that were fancier than we eventually selected where the residents seemed a tad more "with it" in terms of dress, but these were also the places that cherry-picked residents and would have been a poor fit in terms of dealing with behaviors as money went into decor rather than staff retention and training. Since MCFs typically allow residents to age-in-place, the resident population can ebb and flow in terms of relative abilities which can lend a less than cheery atmosphere to the place. 

HB