While many people will explore assisted living options for themselves or their loved ones, most don’t realize that there are many different care plans available. Assisted living care is not the same as memory care, and our expert team at The Canopy at Azalea Grove is here to explain the differences between the two. Let us help you decide which care level is best for your senior loved one.
What Are Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities?
To help you decide which care plan is best for your senior loved one, we’re explaining in detail what each of these care communities has to offer.
Assisted living communities are for seniors who are no longer able to live fully independently. This may be because of illness and health conditions, or because they’re recovering from surgery or an accident. These communities have caregivers that can assist with certain basic activities of daily living, including:
- Dressing and undressing
- Eating
- Using the restroom and showering
- Walking
- Getting in and out of bed or chairs
Assisted living communities are typically for seniors who have limited mobility or special care needs, but don’t need around-the-clock assistance. The priority in this type of community is to provide support to residents so they can retain a level of independence in their daily lives.
Memory care communities involve a higher level of care – these communities cater to residents who are experiencing memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. These senior residents often need around-the-clock care and special support for their health and safety. This type of assisted living for dementia patients typically offers:
- 24-hour monitoring by specially trained caregivers and staff who have expertise in dementia care
- Specialized therapy programs for memory loss patients
- Strategically planned activities that support cognitive functioning
- A specially designed community that prevents wandering and encourages safety and familiarity
Special dementia care plans are utilized in memory care communities, and there’s a big emphasis on security and comfort for all residents. Memory care costs are usually higher than assisted living costs due to the specialized, around-the-clock care provided.
How Do Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities Differ?
Many people aren’t aware that assisted living communities are quite different from memory care communities, and this can lead to a sense of overwhelm when trying to choose the right one for their senior family member. Here are the main ways these two types of care communities differ:
- Memory care is for seniors with memory loss – they provide assisted living for dementia patients and Alzheimer's patients.
- Memory care communities typically offer specialized therapies and activities designed for dementia care patients, and caregivers are specifically trained in memory loss care.
- Memory care communities offer 24/7 care on a more intensive level.
- Memory care communities are designed to prevent wandering and confusion among residents, using special features and floorplans.
- Assisted living communities are for seniors who need help with activities of daily living but are still able to live somewhat independently with the right support.
- Assisted living communities offer more freedom when it comes to exploring the community.
Which Is Right for Your Loved One: Assisted Living or Memory Care?
If you’re unsure as to whether your senior loved one should transition into assisted living or memory care, we can help. Here are some things to consider while you make your decision. If your loved one:
- Is able to live somewhat independently and needs assistance with some activities of daily living, assisted living may be a fit for them.
- Is experiencing declining health, weight loss, or difficulty with mobility, it’s time to consider assisted living.
- Has been diagnosed with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease, you should explore memory care programs.
- Experiences confusion, wandering, combativeness, or you have safety concerns about them, you may want to consider memory care.
- Finds their cognitive needs aren’t being met at home or in an assisted living community, it may be time to consider memory care for specialized activities and enrichment.
- Is experiencing difficulties communicating or expressing needs, you should consider a memory care community.
- Needs specialized therapies, memory care should be considered.
However, the best way to decide between assisted living and memory care is to talk to an expert. Our team at The Canopy at Azalea Grove can help determine which care level is most appropriate for your loved one, find the perfect care plan, and assist you with this life transition from start to finish.
Let Us Help You Navigate Assisted Living and Memory Care
If you still need help deciding between these two types of care programs, let our expert staff help. You can contact The Canopy at Azalea Grove to schedule a chat with our advisors – let us help you navigate this next stage of life confidently.