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Assisted Living vs Memory Care: What To Know And How To Decide

10/04/2024
Senior dad, woman looking through a picture book

Memory care communities are long-term care environments for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia to ensure patients receive the specialized care they need and maintain a great quality of life.

As dementia progresses, it becomes harder for older adults and seniors to perform different tasks and navigate their day to day. Memory care communities ensure seniors are safe, supervised 24/7, and they are staying active both physically and socially.

Assisted living communities are similar to memory care units in that they provide personal care to seniors who need it and promote a great quality of life. Staff members are similarly always ready to tend to the seniors’ everyday needs, particularly with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, using the restroom, etc.

The differences between memory care and assisted living are the types of care offered and the types of residents who move into these respective communities.

Memory care residents receive skilled nursing care and meet with memory specialists to participate in activities with triggers of familiarity to promote social interaction, emotional wellness, physical activity, and cognitive strength. The care they receive is specific to their form of dementia and cognitive impairments.

Assisted living residents do not need a specific health condition to qualify. They simply are seniors who would like senior care to make their daily lives that much easier.

While memory care communities fall under the assisted living umbrella, not every assisted living community includes memory care. Cost of memory care vs assisted living will vary, but memory care is oftentimes more expensive as this type of care is more specific and specialized.

At What Stage of Dementia Should You Not Live Alone?

There are seven stages of dementia with symptoms worsening from one stage to the next.

By stage five or at moderately severe cognitive decline, it is recommended that the patient have a home caregiver or move into a Memory Care community. At this point, someone with dementia may forget information they never had trouble retaining before such as their phone number or family names.

It is crucial for family members to be aware of their loved ones’ symptoms and recognize when it is time to request extra help.

Still, you should never force or pressure your loved one with dementia to do anything they don’t want to. Have conversations about the future early on and plan together. Research and visit different memory care communities and reassure them that you will visit and check in often.

You should never make your loved one feel bad for their memory loss and argue to upset them. If you believe they would benefit from moving into a memory care community, present the benefits and perks that would be most exciting and relevant to them.

Why a Memory Care Community?

Senior lady talking with nurse and sitting with her elderly friends

Social isolation and depression have dangerous effects on seniors as they age.

Adults living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are even more prone to isolation and depression, which can further worsen their symptoms.

Moving into a built-in supportive community of people who understand the challenges that come with aging and dementia is powerful and can ease the hardship that comes with the realities of getting older.

Making social connections with peers is so important for listening to your emotional well-being, which can in turn strengthen and preserve your memory, intelligence, and mental health. This directly combats worsening dementia and how it manifests in memory loss, agitation, and sundowning.

Before moving into any community, each potential resident meets with staff to determine the plan and level of care they need or prefer. Together they will create a personalized care plan that lists out the tailored accommodations and requests a resident will receive. This is an ever-changing document that will evolve based on the resident’s condition and future needs.

Family members are involved early and throughout this process to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Memory care residents can also look forward to monthly activity calendars that include fun, engaging activities that inspire excitement, mental acuity, emotional wellness, and social connection such as arts and crafts, board and card games, and dance parties.

Hanging out in the common areas is another great way for residents to gather and mingle. In doing so, residents have a constant reminder that they are never alone in their struggles and can always rely on each other.

Make Friends at Chelsea Senior Living

At Chelsea Senior Living, a loving community awaits.

Our memory care and assisted living community share a campus, making this transition easy if the need to ever arises. This also allows for different communities to socialize and bond.

We can’t wait to meet you and give you a tour of everything our campus has to offer.