Selecting the Right Memory Care Service

People's bodies age and they are less able to do what they once could. Completing daily tasks becomes more challenging.

Things can become especially difficult when your loved ones begin experiencing memory issues. Choosing a good memory care facility is vital, so your parents get the proper care.

"Well, can't I use an assisted living community?" you may ask. You can, however, it might be best to think of your choice as memory care vs. assisted living.

There are differences between the two types of care that can't be ignored. That's why we've put together a memory care services guide to help you find the right establishment.

Memory Care vs. Assisted Living: What's the Difference?

Your loved ones can get memory care in an assisted living community, but not all these communities offer this service. Here is one of many memory care tips: assisted living communities may offer memory care.

However, memory care services aren't offered in all assisted living establishments. Assisted living is a long-term care community that allows older adults independence while helping with daily tasks.

Assisted living communities often provide:

• Living quarters
  • Often apartments
• Housekeeping services
• Three meals a day
  • In the cafeteria or delivered
• Community activities
  • Like book and gardening clubs or aerobics classes

One of the greatest benefits of choosing assisted living is the socialization aspect. Residents can befriend and take part in community activities with their peers. They may also need personal care support.

For example, many older adults need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like walking, cooking, cleaning, and grooming. That said, these people can still communicate their needs.

Explaining Memory Care

Memory care communities are secure establishments that help people with types of dementia. Memory care communities often have smaller rooms with a larger focus on welcoming common spaces.

Staff help residents with ADLs, such as grooming and medication management. There's often a smaller staff because patients with memory issues have greater needs that need more individual focus.

Memory Care Considerations: Choosing the Right Community

We've discussed the differences between assisted living and memory care, but how do you pick the right community? Here's a list of what to consider when choosing a memory care facility.

Safety Measures

The average assisted living community has in-room emergency alert systems and daily check-ins. However, memory care communities must have a greater focus on safety.

It's common for people with dementia to wander off. Here are some methods establishments use to keep residents from potential harm:

• Keypad entries
• Wander devices
  • Wearable tracking devices that alert staff of wandering patients
• Obscured exits
• Locked entries and exits
• Doorbells signaling arrivals and departures

Architecture and room layouts contribute to resident safety, too. The goal is to reduce anxiety from patients' confusion and memory loss while minimizing fall injuries.

For example, rooms are often small, so it's easier for residents to hear and see. Sounds echo and reverberate in larger rooms, making it hard to hear.

It's harder to light larger rooms to accommodate residents. Color schemes are often soft; there's no clutter, and signage is clear and concise.

Staff Training and Care

Both memory care and assisted living staff have training to aid with ADLs. But memory care workers have dementia care training, too.

These workers have the know-how to compassionately communicate with and de-escalate altercations specifically with people who have Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

There are often more staff members in memory care communities. ADL care may take longer and people with memory issues need closer supervision for safety and socialization reasons.

Amenities, Activities, and Therapies

Gyms, transportation, pet-friendly accommodations, libraries, TV rooms, and game rooms are all common amenities at assisted living centers. Memory care communities have these alongside unique design features:

• Outdoor gardens
  • So residents don't feel stifled and confined
• Color-coded walls
  • So it's easier for residents to find their way
• Increased personalization options
  • Things like memory boxes to help residents feel welcome
• Clearly established common areas

An assisted living community may have activities like book clubs, exercise classes, public outings, and parties. Memory care community activities are more therapeutic and focus on cognitive strengthening.

These activities have more structure and involve sensory stimulation and time in the sun. Staff want to prevent sundowning and encourage engagement.

Sundowning is a behavioral change that happens around late afternoon and continues into the night. It's common in people with Alzheimer's and dementia. These preventative activities include:

• Reminiscence therapy
  • Using sights, tastes, smells, and other senses to jog memories
• Music therapy
  • Enables relaxation and reduces agitation in dementia patients
• Pet therapy
  • For companionship
• Art therapy
  • May help slow cognitive decline

Cost

Four factors determine the cost of assisted living and memory care: location, room size, whether your loved one shares a room, and services provided. Of course, other different costs depend on the type of care.

Assisted living typically charges a base monthly rate for living quarters and housekeeping. There are also monthly fees for transportation and most activities -- outings may cost extra.

ADL aid can be an extra fee depending on how much help a resident needs. You can expect assisted living to cost at least $4,500 monthly. Memory care costs more because of the specialized care requirements.

Choose the Best Memory Care Options

It's not easy choosing where your loved ones receive long-term care. However, it's something you may have to do -- this is why you should think about memory care vs. assisted living.

Both establishments can help your parents in their golden years, but only memory care focuses on dementia care. The staff at these communities can better handle your loved one's needs.

Discovery Village Trinity can be that place for your parents. We are an assisted living community, but we offer memory care services.

Our staff is professional and friendly while assisting with various sensory and reflective activities. Residents have access to housekeeping, healthy dining, and personalized care plans.

Here's our contact form! We'll quickly connect you with someone to book a tour or discuss financial options, like our military veterans program.