What Is the Difference Between Assisted Living and Memory Care?

May 15, 2023 / Assisted Living, Memory Care

As your loved-ones begin to age, it is common that they may begin to have some difficulty handling the tasks of daily life. Many aging adults have trouble with personal care tasks, housekeeping, cooking, or medication management. These tasks can become even more complicated when coupled with memory difficulties. The question often becomes: “What are the next steps for my loved-ones, and how can we keep them safe with a long-term solution?” Seniors will often turn to different care facilities and communities when seeking long-term care options, especially assisted living and memory-care facilities. The Senior Care AZ team is explaining these long-term care options: the difference between the two, the pros and cons of both types of communities, and how to decide which may be right for you.

What Is Assisted Living?

An assisted living community is a long-term residential community that is designed to provide active adults with minimal care and assistance with the tasks of daily life. Residents in these communities will typically live in studio or shared-apartment style housing with kitchenettes and private living spaces. Seniors in assisted living generally do not require 24/7 skilled nursing care, but the facility will provide assistance with some daily tasks if needed, such as medication management, meals, housekeeping, or personal care. Assisted living facilities often feel more like retirement communities, with added healthcare support for residents who require it. They have opportunities for socialization and activities with other residents, as well as outings and transportation for residents. Assisted living facilities aim to support the physical health and social connection of their residents while providing valuable intellectual stimulation in an effort to slow physical and cognitive decline. An assisted living community provides an environment where active seniors can be safe while maintaining a level of independence.

Assisted Living Benefits

Assisted living facilities allow seniors to receive the care they need, while providing them with independence and a social community to be involved in. These communities provide seniors with a level of safety they would not have while living independently, as they have staff who will be there in case of an accident, as well as a team to provide medication management and other assistance with daily tasks. But seniors are also able to have their own space and choose the level of involvement of the staff, depending on their needs. For active seniors who are in good health and still want to maintain a level of independence, an assisted living facility is an excellent option.

What Is Memory Care?

A memory care facility is a secure residential facility that is designed to provide care for individuals with some form of dementia. In a memory care facility, residents will typically reside in smaller bedrooms, but within the community, there is ample space for residents to gather, such as common spaces and open rooms. Memory care facilities are designed as a transitional space for residents who still have some level of independence but will likely not be able to return home to independent living due to memory decline. They are often designed with softer closers, lack of clutter, and very clear signage to soothe patients with memory issues. Memory care facilities ensure that residents who may forget to complete daily tasks, such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, or feeding themselves, have these needs met in a comforting and safe environment. Memory care facilities may be standalone facilities, but oftentimes they are a wing located within a nursing home or assisted care facility.

Memory Care Benefits

Memory care facilities are designed specifically for individuals with some form of dementia, and the staff will be specially trained in handling individuals with memory deficits. Due to the increased care required by residents with dementia, memory care communities typically have a smaller staff-to-resident ratio. Oftentimes, individuals with dementia will wander and may injure themselves or become lost in their residence or neighborhood, and memory care facilities have put mechanisms in place to prevent this wandering and the dangers that arise from it. Things such as trackers, armed or locked doors, and protected outside areas will help keep residents safe and secure even in the case of attempted wandering.

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: Key Similarities and Differences

Since memory care facilities are often a wing located within an assisted care facility, there are many similarities between the two. An assisted living facility will provide care for active seniors with tasks of everyday life, such as meals, medication management, bathing, or other acts of personal care. A memory care facility will provide all of this, as well as an added level of safety in the form of locked doors and a staff that is specifically trained to care for individuals with dementia. Both types of care offer a level of autonomy for the residents while providing assistance as-needed.

Cost of Assisted Living vs. Memory Care

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

In 2020, the national median annual cost for an assisted living facility was $51,600 per year. These assisted living costs are typically paid for out of pocket or through the sale of assets such as a home or long-term care insurance that has been paid-into over the course of many years.

How Much Does Memory Cost?

Memory care will generally add on 20-30% to the average cost of an assisted living facility due to the increased level of training and care needed by residents with memory deficits.

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: Choosing What’s Right for You

Choosing to move into a long-term care facility is a big decision, and conducting thorough research on what is right for you and your love-ones is important. The first step will be assessing your level of independence and the level of care you will need. For individuals with dementia and memory deficits, memory care facilities will be an excellent option to provide a level of independence while keeping you safe and healthy within the community. The team at Senior Care AZ can work with you to determine the best option for you or your loved ones and provide Arizona senior placement services when you decide to take the next step.