According to ConsumerAffairs, over 818,000 people live in assisted living. That makes up about 1.4% of all seniors in the United States, and that doesn't include those living in nursing homes.
While assisted living is a great option for seniors who need some assistance in their daily lives, it's not necessarily the best option for everyone. Staff at an assisted living community may not have the training to handle more serious conditions, such as dementia. That requires more specialized help from memory care.
Here's what you should know about memory care vs assisted living and which is right for your loved ones.
Assisted living is a residential option designed for seniors who need some help with daily tasks but want to maintain a level of independence. It's a good choice for adults who might struggle with things around the house due to mobility or other health issues.
In most cases, seniors in an assisted living community live alone in their own private rooms. Trained staff make themselves available for anything from bathing to eating. Other than that, seniors have autonomy in other areas of their lives.
Residents gain access to on-site amenities and a plethora of social opportunities. It all depends on the specific community they move into.
Memory care is one of the main dementia care options for seniors. It's designed for individuals with Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments. It provides a safe and structured environment with trained staff and targeted programs for addressing memory loss.
Seniors will not qualify for memory care services unless they have exhibited significant memory or cognitive issues.
The various programs provided by memory care focus on preserving as much of each resident's cognitive abilities as possible. Structured daily routines help to reduce anxiety and confusion. Each building design minimizes wandering and accidents.
When comparing assisted living vs memory care services, you have to look at the levels of care, staff training, and other factors. Someone in the early stages of Alzheimer's may function well enough in an assisted care setting.
The first thing to know is what kind of services each type of care provides.
With assisted living, seniors gain the minimum amount of help in order to foster independence. As a result, it's much less intensive than memory care and caters to individuals without cognitive impairments.
Meanwhile, memory care services include cognitive therapies and more secure environments. Residents may not be able to attend events alone or participate in certain programs.
Cost is a major factor when it comes to senior care. The cost of their care will vary based on location, amenities, and services provided. There's also the level of training each staff member is required to have.
For example, staff at an assisted living community may not need to train for dealing with residents with dementia. They're at less risk of injury when compared to those who work with seniors with Alzheimer's.
In a memory care unit, staff must undergo much more specialized training. Some of them may need medical knowledge, and there's an increased level of supervision required. All of this raises their value and the expected cost of their services.
As previously mentioned, staff in memory care must undergo additional training to address the various behavioral and emotional challenges of dementia patients.
In California, all direct care staff must receive 12 hours of dementia care training. Six of those hours happen before they can work with residents. The other six can happen after they're hired.
Staff in assisted living communities undergo training to assist with ADLs (activities of daily living) and general senior care needs. They do not need to participate in the same training or have any prior experience with seniors living with dementia.
Both assisted living and memory care have senior housing choices for their residents. The main difference is that those in memory care often have more limited options due to their condition.
An assisted living community resident may have a private room or even a studio apartment all to themselves. While a person in memory care may live alone, their housing situation is often designed so staff members have constant access to the quarters.
Each resident's level of independence will differ between assisted living and memory care.
In assisted living, each resident has as much independence as they want. They can attend any program or event on their own. Residents can explore the town with family or friends, unattended by staff.
Memory care residents do not have as much privilege, primarily due to the risk they put themselves in if they get confused or lost. They must have someone supervise them, even when attending an event in the community.
Seniors with Alzheimer's have a variety of options for memory care. Some of these are daycare centers that give caregivers a chance for a break. Others are full-time residential options that provide more comprehensive care.
When choosing senior care, always consider the needs of your loved one. Anyone with dementia that impairs their ability to live alone should default to memory care. Someone with slight memory issues may be fine in assisted living.
Next, look at the cost of the community and its location. You may find it less costly to move your loved one into a community further away. Alternatively, they may prefer to live closer to family and friends.
The differences between memory care vs assisted living come down to necessity. Many seniors who live in memory care cannot handle the independence of assisted living. They need more assistance and guidance than it can provide for them.
Allara Senior Living in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, provides opportunities for assisted living and memory care. Our amenities and staff work together to elevate the living conditions of each resident so they can age in comfort. Contact us to view apartment home pricing and get more details.