As people age, they often face more physical and mental difficulties, and getting the right help can be crucial. As many as 42% of adults who needed help with everyday tasks in 2020 didn't get the assistance they needed (Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis - The New School).
While this is a major issue, senior living communities are available and can be a great solution. They offer varying services, with memory care and assisted living being two of the most popular.
In this memory care vs assisted living guide, we'll compare these two options so you can determine which would be best for you or your loved one.
Keep reading for more.
Assisted living is a senior care option that's suitable for people who have a hard time living on their own. Most people join these communities if they have issues that affect their mobility. In many cases, this happens after an injury or surgery, but it can also be a good solution for those who suffer from conditions like arthritis.
When staying in these communities, residents can get help with various daily tasks. They may be unable to do certain things on their own, so skilled carers can give them the assistance they need.
Carers in assisted living communities don't provide 24/7 care. One of the more appealing aspects is that they work to give residents as much independence as possible by only providing assistance when and where it's needed.
Memory care is a somewhat similar concept, but it's more suitable for people who have issues that affect their memory. Conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia can have a significant impact on people's memory which can make their lives difficult and even present health and safety risks.
Memory care communities provide around-the-clock care for seniors with such conditions to help them live more comfortably. They typically offer:
Memory loss can be very severe, depending on the severity of one's condition. Some people need a lot of assistance, so memory care communities are prepared to deal with all kinds of challenges.
Both of these options can be beneficial for seniors who are having a hard time with their daily lives. However, there are some key differences between them. It's important to understand what these differences are when considering assisted living or memory care.
The staff who provide these services both offer care for those who need it. However, the level of that care and some of the specifics can vary quite a lot.
Dementia care services are more in-depth. The care is focused on helping people with cognitive impairment, so staff are trained to compassionately and effectively handle challenging behaviors that come with memory loss. Residents may do things like wander or even act aggressively, so carers are trained to deal with this.
These issues can happen at any time, so care is available 24/7. Additionally, memory care communities tend to have a higher caregiver-to-resident ratio to ensure they can offer the right care.
Carers within assisted living communities still provide exceptional care, but the residents don't need as much attention. Caregivers typically only help with the specific issues that residents have difficulties with and otherwise allow them to do what they can on their own. This is preferable for most residents as they like to maintain their independence.
Transitioning to memory care can be a challenge in itself. Residents may not entirely understand where they are at times, so the communities are designed to prevent wandering, helping to maintain safety. They also include features like single-touch sinks and motion-sensor lighting which can make it easier for residents to adapt.
Assisted living communities are also designed to be safe, but they often don't have the same features. Residents aren't at the same level of risk, so fewer measures are required.
Both types of communities typically organize activities and events for their residents. These focus on making sure they can stay active and social as these are crucial for the physical and mental well-being of seniors.
Some common examples of activities within assisted living communities include:
Memory care communities organize activities with similar goals but a slightly different focus. They're typically geared towards memory support for seniors, so there are usually more activities that help with cognitive function.
When considering different senior care options, it's vital to look at the different associated costs. In general, memory care costs more than assisted living, but there are a range of factors that can have an impact here.
The price of a specific community can depend on:
Data from NIC shows that the average cost of assisted living in 2021 was $4,500 around per month. Comparatively, the average cost for memory care was about $6,935.
This should give you a rough idea of the difference in price between the two solutions. With that said, the cost can still be higher or lower depending on the factors above. It's important to look into the costs of different options and make sure you understand exactly what these costs cover before you make any major decisions.
With this comparison of memory care vs assisted living, you should have a good idea of which is the most suitable for you or your loved one. Still, you need to find a community that you know will be a good fit.
Crown Cove Senior Living is a retirement community located in Newport Beach. We provide both assisted living and memory care to cater to a range of residents.
We can offer 24/7 support, catering, room service, regular activities, housekeeping services, and more. Residents can even enjoy a beautiful ocean view from our observation deck.
If you think Crown Cove could be the right choice, schedule a tour of our community today.