What Is the Difference Between Memory Care and Nursing Home?
June 05, 2023 / Memory Care, Nursing Home
If you or a loved one have been noticing a need for support with the activities of everyday living and medical needs related to memory loss or dementia, it is a natural next step to begin considering long-term elder care options. Two common long-term care options for individuals exhibiting signs of memory loss or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia are a memory care facility and a nursing home. The Senior Care AZ team is breaking down these types of elder care options: what they are, the costs associated with each type of facility, and which one might be right for you or your loved one.
What Is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home is a secure residential facility that provides round the clock care at various levels to patients who live there, depending on their needs and medical conditions. A nursing home provides 24 hour supervision to residents as well as assistance with the activities of daily life, like getting dressed, bathing, and providing meals. A nursing home provides a higher level of care than an individual would receive living independently at home and is a great option for individuals who need more care and supervision. Along with basic assistance with the activities of daily living, a nursing home will also provide specialized medical care to residents, such as medicine administration, physical therapy, speech therapy, IVs, and tube feeding. A nursing home may be a short term option for individuals who are recovering from a hospital stay or receiving physical therapy, but for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, it is often a long-term care option. As an individual’s needs increase over time with increased memory loss, a nursing home will be able to increase their support and provide more care to cater to the individual’s needs.
What Is Memory Care?
Similar to a nursing home, a memory care facility is a secure residential facility that is designed to provide care for individuals with some form of dementia. Memory care facilities are designed to be transitional and will increase care and support for the needs of residents as their dementia advances and their memory loss becomes more severe. Memory care facilities often have things in place that will help soothe patients with memory loss, such as very clear signage, softer closers on doors, and a lack of clutter. These facilities are designed to ensure that residents who may forget to complete daily tasks, such as going to the restroom, feeding themselves, or getting dressed, have their needs met in a comfortable and secure environment. Memory care residents often reside in smaller bedrooms, but the facilities have ample space for residents to gather and build a community within the facility. Memory care facilities are sometimes standalone facilities, but they may also be located within a wing of a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Nursing Home vs. Memory Care: Services Offered
Nursing homes and memory care facilities are similar in that they both provide a secure environment for individuals who may be dealing with memory loss or other medical issues to live and be cared for in a safe and comforting community. There are some differences in the services offered that are worth noting when considering which is the best option for you or your loved one.
Nursing Home Services
A nursing home provides a wide range of services and care for your loved ones, and the care options are often customized to an individual’s needs. Services include meal services, housekeeping and laundry, medication management, assistance with the activities of daily life, 24-hour care and supervision, and rehab therapies as needed. Nursing homes often have robust social activities for residents to participate in, such as games, movie nights, and activities in outside areas of the facility. A nursing home will also offer specialized care for patients with memory loss, such as more secure residential areas.
Memory Care Services
Memory care facilities are designed specifically for individuals with some form of dementia, and the staff and services within the facility are all trained and designed to help individuals with memory deficits. Memory care facilities will generally provide all the same services as a nursing home, such as meal services, housekeeping, and help with daily activities. In addition to these services, memory care facilities also provide memory enhancing therapies, transportation to appointments, and a unique facility design and layout that will comfort individuals with memory loss. A memory care facility will also have systems in place to keep residents safe and secure in the case of attempted wandering, including trackers, armed or locked doors, and protected outside areas.
Cost of Memory Care vs. Nursing Home
While the costs vary depending on the area that you live in and the needs of the individual who will be residing in the long term care facility, they can be compared on average between a nursing home and a memory care facility.
Memory Care Cost
The national median monthly cost of memory care is $5,430. However, some memory care facilities are wings located within a nursing home, which will bring the cost of the memory care facility closer to the average cost of residing within a nursing home.
Nursing Home Cost
The cost of a nursing home depends not only on the location but also on the type of facility and the type of room you reside in within the nursing home. Privately owned nursing homes are more expensive than public nursing homes, and a private room will be significantly more expensive than a semi-private room. The median monthly cost of a semi-private nursing home room in the U.S. is around $8,000, and the cost of a private nursing home room in the U.S. is around $9,000 a month.
Memory Care vs. Nursing Home: Which Should You Choose?
Deciding which long-term care option is right for you or your loved one is a difficult decision, and speaking with a professional about the types of care needed as well as the financial situation and other factors can help you decide what is best. In general, if a loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s and has advanced to the stage where they require 24-hour care and supervision, they can receive this care at either a nursing home or a memory care facility. However, they may benefit from the unique memory-focused therapies and services that a memory care facility can provide, where all the staff is trained to work specifically with individuals with advanced memory loss. If your loved one has serious medical needs in addition to their memory support needs, a nursing home can provide more skilled medical nursing care and additional rehab therapies that a memory care facility cannot. Speaking to your loved one, your family, and professionals at the facilities you are considering can be great options for determining which facility is best for your loved one. The team at Senior Care AZ provides senior placement services in Arizona and can work with you to find the best option for you or your loved one.