Finding the right level of care for your senior loved one can be a daunting task. Whether your loved one needs daily help, has Alzheimer’s or dementia, or just doesn’t feel safe living alone anymore, senior living communities are often the best choice for the highest quality of life. Senior living communities can offer a wide variety of care levels, including 55+, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care. With so many options to choose from, which level of care is best for your loved one? In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between memory care vs assisted living to help you make the right choice for your senior.
If you’re considering assisted living vs memory care, your loved one probably needs a higher level of care on a daily basis. If you’re not sure you or your senior needs daily support yet, check out our guide on the differences between independent living and assisted living.
Quick Answer: What is memory care vs assisted living?
The differences between memory care vs assisted living communities are mainly:
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- Level of supervision and security. Memory care communities offer a higher level of supervision and security to prevent wandering.
- Education and expertise. Staff members at memory care communities are trained specifically to work with seniors who have Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Daily activities and structure. While both types of communities offer lots of activities and social events, memory care communities have a more structured daily routine and earlier bedtimes. They may also tailor their activities to fit the ability levels and needs of their residents.
- Overall feel and design. Both types of communities should feel warm, welcoming, and homey. For safety and to support the ability level of their residents, memory care communities may have smaller, more studio-style apartments without full kitchens or kitchenettes. Memory care communities are also often designed to feel calmer and less stimulating.
- Dementia-specific support. Memory care communities may have special therapies or activities designed to slow or prevent memory loss. The support offered will be more focused on the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Read on to learn more about memory care vs assisted living. First, we’ll review some assisted living vs memory care definitions to help clarify what these terms usually mean in the senior living community world.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities, also called assisted senior living communities or assisted living facilities, are designed for seniors who need some help with activities of daily living. According to the National Library of Medicine, “activities of daily living,” or ADLs, include:
- Walking & mobility,
- Eating & drinking,
- Dressing, including the ability to choose appropriate clothing based on the weather and activity,
- Bathing and grooming,
- The ability to control bladder and bowel function, and
- The ability to get to and from the toilet, use it appropriately, and clean oneself afterward.
Assisted living communities have caregivers, nurses, and nurse assistants on staff who provide this daily care to residents of the community. Assisted living communities are also often designed to be wheelchair accessible, and feature grab bars in bathrooms, emergency pendants, and other safety and accessibility features. These communities provide residents with as much independence, dignity, and respect as possible, while also providing necessary support with daily activities.
What is Memory Care?
Memory care communities are designed specifically for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia affect more than just your memory. All forms of dementia and most causes of memory loss and cognitive decline are progressive, meaning they get worse over time. People in the early stages of dementia experience mainly memory-related symptoms, like memory lapses, difficulty finding the right words, and struggling with complex tasks like finances. So, seniors with early-stage dementia may still be able to live independently.
However, as dementia progresses, other symptoms begin to become more apparent. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people in middle-stage or moderate Alzheimer’s often require help choosing appropriate clothing, have trouble controlling their bladder and bowels, show an increased tendency to wander and become lost, and even experience personality and behavior changes. In the middle stages of dementia, daily care is necessary. Since this middle stage can last for years or even decades, long-term care is a necessity.
Memory care communities are designed for seniors in these middle to later stages of dementia. They’re a specialized form of assisted living especially designed for these Alzheimer’s and dementia symptoms.
Memory Care vs Assisted Living: 5 Key Differences at a Glance
Now that we know what assisted living and memory care communities do, what are the key differences between memory care vs assisted living communities?
Level of Supervision and Security
One of the memory care vs assisted living care key differences is the level of supervision and security available. Since people with dementia and Alzheimer’s are prone to wandering and becoming lost, memory care communities have more supervision, security, and safety precautions. Some memory care communities may offer 24/7 supervision or video monitoring for residents who need it. Memory care communities often feature a secure indoor and/or outdoor courtyard, where residents can get outside safely, without any danger of becoming lost. Entrances and exits are typically locked around the clock and accessible only by staff members.
While most assisted living communities also have staffed entrances and exits, as well as security personnel and protocols, the level of supervision and security is usually lower at an assisted living community compared to a memory care community.
Education and Expertise
Education and expertise are other key differences between memory care vs assisted living communities. Memory care communities specialize in caring for people with memory loss. Assisted living communities provide excellent general caregiving services, but memory care communities provide more dementia-specific care and services. Staff members at memory care communities are educated and trained to recognize and manage the symptoms of dementia. Many memory care communities also offer educational programs to families, to help them understand their loved ones’ symptoms and prognosis.
Because dementia can come with personality changes, loss of communication skills, and behavioral challenges, staff members at a memory care community may also be more familiar with specialized behavioral management and communication techniques.
Daily Activities and Structure
Memory care vs assisted living communities also vary in the amount and types of daily activities, and the way days are structured. Both types of communities offer lots of activities and social events. However, memory care communities often have a much more structured and consistent daily routine, and earlier bedtimes. This helps people with dementia feel safe, and reduces behavioral problems. Both assisted living and memory care communities plan activities to fit the needs, preferences, and ability levels of their residents. Because dementia can cause loss of language and communication skills, memory care communities may have specialized types of activities.
Overall Feel and Design
Both assisted living and memory care communities should feel warm and welcoming. Residents should be able to walk in and feel safe, loved, and at home. But when it comes to memory care vs assisted living, there are a few differences. Assisted living communities usually have apartments that are intended to preserve independence as much as possible, often with kitchens or kitchenettes. Memory care communities may have smaller studio-style apartments to meet residents’ needs and ensure their safety. Memory care communities are often designed to be quieter and calmer than assisted living communities. They may also have visual cues to help residents navigate the community.
Dementia-Specific Support
Memory care communities are able to provide more dementia-specific support compared to assisted living communities. This may include more support for later-stage dementia symptoms, special therapies, and activities designed to slow or prevent memory loss. This often also includes frequent reminders, repetition, and direction to help residents with more cognitive impairment.
Assisted Living vs Memory Care: Which is Best for Your Loved One?
Now that you know some of the memory care vs assisted living key differences, which level of care is best for your loved one? Let’s explore which type of community is the best fit for your senior.
Who Is a Good Fit for Assisted Living?
Your senior will likely do well at an assisted living community if they have:
- Physical limitations that require help with activities of daily living,
- Little to no cognitive impairment or memory loss,
- A desire to preserve as much of their independence as possible, and
- The ability to appropriately make plans and decisions about what they want to do each day.
Who Is a Good Fit for Memory Care?
It may be time for memory care if your loved one:
- Has been diagnosed with middle or late-stage Alzheimer’s, dementia, or significant memory loss or cognitive decline,
- Has difficulty making appropriate decisions or plans,
- Wanders or becomes lost,
- Forgets important information like where they are, their address, or their phone number,
- Needs help with activities of daily living, and
- Is no longer able to safely live independently.
When Assisted Living Is No Longer Enough
If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, they may be able to live at an assisted living community or even independently for a period of time until symptoms progress. Dementia affects everyone differently, and how quickly it progresses varies. So, it can be difficult to know when it’s time to move from assisted living vs memory care. Here’s how to decide when it’s time for memory care.
Warning Signs It May Be Time for Memory Care
Your loved one may need to move memory care vs assisted living if they are having significant cognitive problems, personality changes, or behavioral issues. Warning signs that it might be time for memory care include:
- Significant personality changes
- Erratic behavior, like fits of rage, violence, aggression, or anxiety
- “Sundowning,” or increased confusion, agitation, anxiety, and restlessness that get worse later in the day
- Wandering, becoming lost, or trying to leave their home or community
- Worsening judgement or planning skills, like wearing inappropriate clothing for the season or occasion, making poor financial decisions, or making other unsafe choices
Whether they need memory care or assisted living, waiting too long can put your senior in danger. If your loved one can’t care for themselves or safely live alone, assisted living or memory care is necessary both for their safety and quality of life. Family members can’t reasonably be expected to provide 24/7 care or supervision, which can result in falls, injuries, problems with medication dosage and frequency, undiagnosed illness, and other risks. Don’t wait to consider memory care vs assisted living until it’s too late!
Cost of Memory Care vs Assisted Living
What is the cost difference between memory care vs assisted living? Monthly fees for senior living communities vary widely. Fees are mainly dependent on the location of the community and level of care. The services and amenities offered will also affect cost. When comparing memory care vs assisted living in the same area, memory care typically costs more because of the increased level of care. However, for those who are eligible, Medicaid will pay for some assisted living and memory care services. This can make the difference in cost much less significant.
Will Medicare or Medicaid Pay for Memory Care vs Assisted Living?
The short answer is yes, Medicaid does typically help pay for both assisted living and memory care. Medicare usually doesn’t pay for any residential care services beyond short-term skilled nursing care. Medicaid does not cover room and board at any senior living communities. But, through Home & Community-Based Services 1915(c) waivers, many state Medicaid programs will pay for services that provide help with activities of daily living, like those offered at assisted living communities. This can reduce the monthly fees at assisted living or memory care communities for residents who are eligible for Medicaid.
Medicaid eligibility and coverage is determined by state governments. Find out more about your state’s Medicaid program here.
Why Memory Care Typically Costs More
Memory care vs assisted living is usually more expensive because it offers both more care, and more specialized care. Memory care communities usually have a lower staff-to-resident ratio than assisted living communities. Staff members also receive additional training and education in providing dementia-specific care. The additional supervision and security measures that memory care communities provide also require more staff members, technology, and equipment.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Level of Care
You know your senior loved one best. When it comes to memory care vs assisted living, deciding which level of care is right can be challenging. We hope this guide helps you make this important decision. And remember: you can always change your mind. Many assisted living and memory care communities offer month-to-month contracts, or even both levels of care, so you can try a different care level if your first choice isn’t the best fit. Tour your local communities, talk to staff members, and choose the community that will give them the best quality of life.
Looking for an assisted living or memory care community near you? Stellar Living communities treat your loved one like family, offer resort-style living at every care level, and give your senior a truly Stellar life. Find a community near you here.
