Large communities can be well-run, but they come with challenges. Noise, staffing rotation, and complex layouts can increase confusion for someone with dementia. Many facilities park residents in front of loud TVs on recliner chairs and leave them there for hours. For your loved one with memory care issues — who cannot follow a storyline or express that it is too loud — this just sounds like a loud noise to their brain. Falls are more prevalent in larger facilities, where eyes cannot always be on the residents. They experience more emergency room visits than smaller homes.
Hidden fees — such as paying for laundry, medication administration, bringing your own bed and furniture, and cable TV — increase as your loved one’s dementia journey progresses, and so do your costs.
It can be frustrating dealing with issues, as you tell one caregiver, and it never gets communicated to anyone else. Administrators are hard to reach, and your issue is not at the top of their list of importance.
In contrast, smaller homes simplify the environment and reduce stress. We are a real home, and the residents quickly become a family, looking out for each other. They can roam freely and safely, as it is just a one-level home that they can explore without harm or getting lost. It is their home, where they often invite their family of 25 to come for an Easter egg hunt or to have a confirmation party for their granddaughter. We cater to the families wishes. You can speak directly to the house manager or owner if there is an issue. You are heard. Your loved one is safe and treated like you would treat them at home.
Across Fairfield County, more families are exploring this model as an alternative to traditional facilities. Just Like Home, LLC is a huge advocate for small homes. We have no hidden fees — we provide all of the furnishings, TVs, and cable, and we charge one flat fee with no care levels. We are the only two at present in the state of Connecticut. Come see the difference for your loved one.