According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, almost 70% of persons over the age of 65 will require long-term care at some point in their lives. Many people who need senior care are experiencing cognitive decline or memory loss. According to the World Health Organization, about 50 million people worldwide have dementia, with about 10 million new cases diagnosed each year.

Is Memory Care More Expensive Than Assisted Living?

You’re definitely faced with difficult choices if you’re seeking long-term care for an aging loved one. In terms of levels of care, amenities, staff training, and expense, senior living differs widely.

What is the difference between assisted living and memory care facilities near me, two popular and rapidly rising types of senior living? Before choosing between assisted living and memory care, it’s crucial to understand the differences between the two types of care.

Understanding the Difference Between Assisted Living and Memory Care

Memory care and assisted living Many of the same services are available in senior living facilities, including housing, meals, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, and toileting. Memory care, on the other hand, caters to elders suffering from memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia.

 

To make the greatest decision for your aging loved one, learn more about the distinctions between assisted living and memory care.

Safety

Safety elements such as in-room emergency alarm systems and daily check-ins may be available in assisted living settings. However, enhanced safety is a big worry for elders with memory loss, as wandering, violence, and falls are all frequent but harmful dementia behaviors.

Memory care facilities prioritize environmental safety. Other wandering-prevention systems include keypad access, hidden exits, and doorbells that signal entering and exiting. Falls are prevented via facility layouts that reduce confusion. The facilities also include soothing therapies to help individuals deal with anger and disorientation, which can lead to aggression or self-injury.

Staff Education and Care

Both assisted living and memory care staff members have prior experience assisting residents with day-to-day duties. For those with dementia, memory care professionals are well-equipped and qualified to provide 24-hour care that preserves their cognitive skills, identity, and quality of life.

Memory care specialists can effectively avoid and control dangerous dementia behaviors like wandering and aggression. They also know how to balance encouraging people to be self-sufficient while still offering support. Memory care also offers a higher staff-to-resident ratio than assisted living and other types of elder care, so seniors get more one-on-one time.

Amenities

Although amenities differ considerably from one community to the next, many assisted living communities provide the following:

Many of these amenities are common in memory care settings, but the most significant characteristic is that you’ll find unique layouts and design features to help orient individuals and prevent confusion. In memory care communities, design aspects may include:

Therapies and activities

Assisted living facilities are for active seniors who need daily assistance. Assisted living provides a wealth of social options for this demographic. Even better, a variety of scheduled activities are often offered.

Memory care includes both group and individual activities and therapies tailored to the needs of seniors suffering from memory loss. Staff plan programs to help people preserve cognitive skills and meticulously manage calendars to offer a sense of familiarity and routine.

 

Personalized care, activities customized to residents’ interests, and programs that often cover all elements of health: physical, mental, and spiritual, are all common features of many memory care facilities.

 

Among the memory-enhancing therapies available in memory care homes are:

 

Costs

Location, room size, shared accommodations, and services all affect the cost of assisted living and memory care. Expenses are also determined for each type of care.

 

Assisted living vs. memory care: What services are offered?

Assisted living:

 

Memory Care:

Who is eligible for assisted living?

Assisted living can benefit older persons who are active but require healthy meals and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as showering, dressing, or using the toilet. Seniors who want a comfortable, maintenance-free existence with opportunities to stay engaged and connected with a community of like-minded peers can benefit from an assisted living community’s lifestyle.

Who is a candidate for memory care?

While some seniors with early- to mid-stage dementia may benefit from assisted living, as the disease develops and symptoms deteriorate, many families choose memory care. Memory care facilities are pleasant, comfortable, and accessible.

 

Memory-enhancing therapy and specialized care provided by these communities enable seniors with memory loss to keep their cognitive abilities for as long as feasible. To avoid straying, seniors with memory loss benefit from round-the-clock care and supervision, strengthened security measures, and secured entrances and exits.

Assisted living and memory care are blended here.

Memory care is also available within assisted living facilities. For patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, several assisted living complexes feature specialist care units.

These apartments provide 24-hour supervised care and all memory care therapies and facilities in a separate wing or floor of a residential community. If a result, a senior with early dementia may be able to transition to assisted living and ultimately memory care as needed. This option may make the transition to memory care easier for seniors by allowing them to keep their existing assisted living friendships and staff interactions.

What should you do if you can’t decide between assisted living and memory care?

If memory loss is not an immediate issue for your loved one, assisted living may be an excellent choice. It’s a terrific option for seniors who are social and independent but may need some assistance throughout the day.

However, if cognitive impairment is a concern, ask yourself the following questions:

If you responded “yes” to any of these questions and are concerned about the safety of your loved one, memory care may be the best solution.

With the help of our senior living professionals, you can choose the ideal senior care option for your loved one. Contact Alexi Senior Living‘s professionals at (815)534-5389 if you’re not sure of the Difference Between Assisted Living and Memory Care.

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