Assisted Living Vs. Memory Care [Infographic]

Memory Care vs. Assisted Living: you know that assisted living and memory care are just two of the several options for long-term care for your senior loved one, but how do you know which to choose? How do you decide which is appropriate for your loved one’s current situation?

When searching for the right senior living community, it’s important that you recognize the similarities and differences between assisted living and memory care. Many do not take the plunge into this research until faced with the reality of placing their loved one in a long-term home.

Memory Care vs. Assisted Living

Although each community is unique, the majority of assisted living and memory care facilities BOTH offer:

  • transportation
  • assistance with bathing, eating, and dressing
  • medication and medical monitoring
  • social programs and activities
  • 3 daily meals and snacks
  • 24 hour staffing and security
  • house keeping services
  • laundry services

If your loved one has…

  • dementia
  • Alzheimer’s
  • other memory impairment
  • wandered off alone
  • grown fearful of places he/she once loved
  • had inexplicable weight loss/gain
  • lost track of finances
  • forgotten to take medication
  • developed hygiene problems
  • started hoarding/purchasing multiples of various items

…you may want to consider memory care!

Assisted Living Homes

Assisted living homes are typically designed for residents that still hold a degree of independence. These facilities are equipped to assist residents with all activities of daily living, such as basic personal hygiene, medications, diet and personal safety. Although assisted living homes have 24 hour staffing, they normally are not equipped to extend care to those with any form of dementia.

Memory Care Facilities

Dementia is mental deterioration that destroys one’s memory and cognitive abilities. Dementia interferes with daily activities.   Those with Dementia or other types of memory problems require a higher level of care, supervision, and security that assisted living homes do not offer. Memory Care Facilities are specialized homes and/or units that offer that level of care and supervision to residents.

Those with mental deterioration commonly require a higher level of security and safety measures. This is due to the risk of wandering or elopement. Memory care facilities often have lock down features that take extra safety/security measures. For example, some residents are equipped with alarms that alert staff when they leave the buildings’ parameters.

Alzheimer’s can cause one to become more stressed easier, therefore it is imperative that memory care facilities offer a more structured lifestyle. Residents need to be in a stress-free environment that nurtures their cognitive skills. Memory care facilities aim to focus on activities that engage and challenge their minds in order to cultivate their cognitive skills.

 

Recent Posts

Leave a Comment