Frequently Asked Questions

The question of remaining at home is different for each person, but it is important to consider the toll caregiving takes on a loved one. If you are starting to feel drained as a caregiver it may be time to speak to a dementia professional.

In general, residents to better physically and mentally at a facility designed to meet their needs. More recently science has shown the benefits of specialized memory care programming (like the Nexus at Silverado program) as a means to maintain brain health and possibly improve cognition.

What are visiting hours?

Silverado is your loved one’s home, and no home has visiting hours. Family members are free to visit their loved ones any time.

Can my loved one bring their pet?

Pets are not only allowed, but encouraged. Several studies have shown how beneficial pet interaction can be to both mental and physical health, restoring confidence, connection and purpose. Most communities even have their own shared pets!

All Silverado associates receive training in how to work with residents with dementia – even when there are “colorful behaviors” happening. Everyone in the community is there t care for the residents, whatever their job title. Ongoing training, regular monthly safety meetings and in-services are also a part of our training program.

Learn about Silverado’s Dementia Certification Program here.

Every member of the Silverado team undergoes a thorough screening, including both a criminal background check and a values assessment. Silverado’s stringent associate screening process is a leader in the industry and regularly blocks roughly 20% of prospective associates from being hired. This means our hiring department has to work harder, but the end result is worth it!

Isn’t dementia a “normal” part of aging?

As people age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you’ve recently met. However, memory loss can also be a symptom of illness or diseases like Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, Vascular Dementia or Parkinson’s, to name a few. If you notice unusual lapses in your loved one’s memory or if their behavior seems abnormal, you should consult a physician.

What signs should I be aware of if i think my loved one may have memory loss?

If you notice that a loved one is having memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information, failing to recall important dates or having a hard time recognizing familiar people or things then it is time to consult a doctor. Behavioral changes may have an underlying medical reason perhaps the person is in pain or experiencing an adverse side effect from medications. In either case, it is important to get a professional medical opinion.

What can I expect from the disease process?

Every person experiences a different combination of symptoms throughout the disease process. Your doctor can give you the best information on what happens and what to expect as a disease progresses. When choosing to move to a community you need a team of experts working with you and your doctor to get the best results. Silverado’ s model of care provides you with the best comprehensive team of experts who will work with you in to guide you through this difficult time engaging the best techniques available to provide care and quality of life for your loved one. Silverado was founded over 24 years ago dedicated to serving the unique needs of the memory impaired and their family. It is important to find caregivers that understand the disease, but more importantly that they understand the whole person including the family and can provide personalized care for your loved one and peace of mind for you.

Caregiving for a loved one with memory loss can be rewarding, but it also takes a toll on the caregiver and those around them. In fact, over 50% of family caregivers will suffer from a decline in health or possibly death due to the physical and mental strain that they go through. It is never too early to talk about care options like memory care facilities, home health and healthcare aids. Researching offerings that can help you before a crisis happens. It is just as important for you to maintain good physical and mental health as it is for your loved one. Our team of experts stand ready to discuss options with you at no charge.

What will happen if I don’t get help?

While it is not possible to accurately predict what will happen in each individual case, memory diseases will almost certainly progress to a point where help is necessary. Memory-impairment can lead to hazardous situations like wandering off or falls and fall-related injuries. At the very least, quality of life will decline due to the person’s inability to properly care for his or herself. There is clear scientific evidence that isolation, lack of stimulation, depression, unattended health concerns speeds cognitive decline. The converse is true that an engaging enriching environment with trained staff serves to slow cognitive decline and maximize maintaining functional level. Our team looks forward to discussing Silverado’s internationally validated evidenced based outcomes with you.

The decision to move a loved one into memory care is complex and difficult, and sometimes family dynamics can make it more so. Every situation is different, but conversations about care should revolve around what is best for the person who needs care. Identifying needs provides a reference point against which all other concerns are weighed and debated. It is also very important in this process to identify who (if anyone) is the primary decision-maker and to identify each family member’s worries.

Because the onset of dementia is usually a slow and gradual thing, it can be difficult to recognize when care is needed before a crisis occurs. Recognizing the need for care early can be very important, however, as care in the early stages can provide benefits to the disease’s trajectory as it progresses. A doctor’s diagnosis is the most important piece, but on a daily basis it’s vital to recognize warning signs such as confusion about where they are, losing track of time, trouble managing finances/paying bills and trouble performing familiar tasks. For a list of more warning signs, please visit this page.

While a private room can seem like a better choice for someone with dementia, Silverado’s 20+ years of experience have shown that companionship is very important for people living with dementia. Research has shown that the social interaction and sense of purpose having a roommate brings can provide great benefits. Contact Silverado to learn more.

Each individual’s situation is unique, but as the disease progresses and care concerns become more complex, a full-time setting can provide a better, less-stressful experience to both the individual and their loved ones. In particular, an environment designed to be dementia-friendly and social will provide a safer, more enriching experience for the resident while allowing the loved one/caregiver to avoid the burnout and complications that often come with providing one-on-one care in the home.

There is a range of long term care insurance policies, each covering different expenses and situations. Silverado works with leading long-term care insurance providers wherever possible. Because of our model of care, including a Medical Director and licensed nurses, most Long-Term Care Insurances cover Silverado. Our team will help you determine if your policy will cover.

There are many different types of dementia. Because of our specialization and comprehensive care model, Silverado is nationally recognized by major Universities, research centers and a national sports program as the leader in taking care of all types of dementia. Silverado’s evidenced based outcomes provide further proof of this capability.

In general, memory care communities are equipped to care for all of the most common types of dementia – Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia and others. Because certain conditions can create more difficulties due to factors like aggression, some facilities may not have the capabilities to care for all residents. The high level of expertise at Silverado communities means we are often able to provide care to individuals with disease-related behavioral issues many facilities are not equipped to handle.

The cost of care can vary greatly, as with the quality of service. Options exist for almost any budget, and options like long-term care insurance, veterans’ benefits and reverse mortgages are common alternatives to out-of-pocket payment. Learn more here.

Proper timing and dosages of medication are vital to memory care, so memory care facilities generally include medication distribution. Medication management is essential and Silverado utilizes licensed nurses to administer medications while the assisted living industry typically uses lesser trained medication technicians.

While memory care communities often provide a higher level of care than normal assisted living facilities, more serious conditions may require a skilled nursing facility. Each facility will offer a different level of care within this range, most offering medication management with some provide higher levels of care for comorbidities like diabetes or COPD. Each facility will be able to provide a description of the degree of care they are capable of providing to their residents.

Due to the unique considerations involved in caring for those with memory impairments, a strong clinical aspect plays a vital role. The level of care can vary depending on the provider, but Silverado communities have a licensed nurse on site at all times, supported by a Medical Director as needed.

While it exists under the umbrella of assisted living, memory care includes a higher degree of clinical care to provide for the special needs of those with Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Parkinson’s, Frontotemporal dementia and other dementia-causing disorders. Memory care is often provided in a separate area of an assisted living facility, though some providers such as Silverado operate facilities wholly dedicated to it. Memory care generally includes daily programming to keep residents engaged and active – physically, mentally and socially.

Memory care is a term that refers to specialized care provided by some assisted living facilities to help seniors and other individuals affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory impairment.

Count the smiles

One thing you will always see in every Silverado are lots and lots of smiles. Our associates love what they do. When looking at other facilities, be sure to count the smiles and pay attention to how the staff treat residents and each other.

Freedom to live a meaningful, normal life

Do residents have the freedom to walk around their environment freely and safely? The ability to have normalcy is paramount to one’s mental health.

Open Doors

When looking for care communities, visit facilities during off hours when tours are not usually conducted. Check all doors that should be unlocked for residents – are they unlocked? Do residents have the freedom to walk around their environment freely and safely? The ability to have normalcy is paramount to one’s mental health.

Quality food and a focus on enjoyment

Silverado’s philosophy on dining is that it’s one of the best ways to raise quality of life in those with memory impairments, so we focus on serving high-quality meals and snacks that are both delicious and fit the unique dietary needs of individuals living with dementia. Read about Silverado’s dining philosophy here.

Are rooms private or shared?

Most rooms at Silverado communities are companion rooms, however private rooms are also available.

The community’s companion bedrooms are designed to provide personal space while giving an opportunity to develop friendships and social bonds. Social interaction and a sense of belonging have shown to be beneficial to those with memory impairments, and many roommates have found a sense of purpose in the friendships they develop. Each room has its own bathroom and shower, and decorating with personal effects and furniture is encouraged.

Should a long-distance relocation be required to relocate a loved one, we are here to assist you. Our team will coordinate the transfer of medical records and personal items. We will send someone to meet with you and your family as well as your local physicians and case workers to make the transition as seamless as possible. A trained, qualified Silverado caregiver will accompany your loved one to ensure safety and comfort whether travel is via medical transport, commercial airline, private plane or ground transportation.

How does Silverado stand behind its care?

We back up our care and commitment to exceptional care with this pledge:

Silverado’s memory care communities are committed to offering the highest quality care to those with memory-impairment. We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of our residents and their families. In fact, we are so confident in our commitment that in the first 60 days after move-in, if they are dissatisfied with our services for any reason, we will reimburse administrative and monthly fees and assist them in finding an alternative solution.

Silverado is a Founder-led partnership of highly regarded investors that has been in business over 25 years.  The company operates 27 memory care communities across the country, as well as eight hospice branches and a palliative service line that help thousands of patients every day.