What is the Difference between Memory Care & Assisted Living?

If an elderly parent or another loved one is in need of more care than they can get living at home, you may have started thinking about senior living. The US Department of Human Health & Services estimates, “About 70% of adults older than 65 will need long-term care at some point in their lives.” Moreover many who require senior care have some type of cognitive decline or memory loss. The World Health Organization reports 55 million people worldwide have dementia and nearly 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year. 

Before you begin the search for senior care, it is important to know the difference between assisted living and memory care. One of the top differences is the amount of attention given to memory care residents. While assisted living typically offers 24/7 emergency alert systems and help with the ADLs, memory care also offers specialized therapies for those with memory loss. 

Wellness programs at assisted living are entertaining, meaningful programs with opportunities to socialize, grow and contribute. Memory care facilities provide purposeful programs and therapies designed to help calm or stimulate residents as situations warrant. Personalized care plans compassionately address specialized needs including managing aggressive behaviors or wandering.  

The physical environment in memory care includes more precautions to safeguard the individual. These include things like locked entrances equipped with alarms systems and warning signals if someone exists. The layout of the facility typically offers clear wayfinding to help residents navigate their environment and decrease confusion and agitation. 

Memory care facilities have a higher staff to resident ratio to enable them to provide more attentive care throughout the day as well as hands-on assistance with meals and the ADLs. In addition staff are generally trained in dementia care in order to have a better understanding of the disease.    

The new MorningStar at West Valley is designed from the ground up to care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Our holistic approach to memory care includes a gentle flow of purposeful activities leveraging the power of music, dance, art, aromatherapy, and animals to heal and comfort whatever the extent of memory impairment. We are conveniently located to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and O’Connor Hospital. Contact us to reserve a select suite, we will open to residents in winter 2022. Also ask about our starting rate of $8,000/month, all inclusive.

Source: aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/assisted-living-vs-memory-care