Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility: What’s The Difference?
Shopping for senior living facilities can be daunting, especially if you or a loved one suffers from a serious medical condition that necessitates an emergency transfer. Assisted living and memory care provide personal care services to those suffering from various health issues, including cognitive impairments.
Vivante memory care community is tailored exclusively to persons who have Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, with dementia care-friendly activities and staff trained in the psychological and physical implications of cognitive difficulties. For some families, assisted living is the best place to start, whereas for others, memory care may be the only option. Here’s what you should know as you consider your alternatives.
Assisted living facility vs. memory care services – staff members
Memory care and assisted living facilities have the same staff, such as specially trained nurses and nursing assistants. Memory care communities include staff with additional training and expertise in dealing with the concerns that persons with dementia frequently face, such as swallowing difficulty, wandering, memory loss, and anxiety.
Most states require residential memory care staff, from administrators to housekeepers, to take further education seminars that help them comprehend the brains of individuals living with dementia while developing ways to minimize suffering and assist memory care residents.
A memory care unit is typically the better option if your loved one needs medical care or has troublesome behaviors or if you have difficulty supporting and providing specialized care at home with other family members.
Assisted vs. memory care facilities – fine dining
Assisted living communities provide three meals daily, usually in a friendly atmosphere. Memory care communities provide not just meals and socializing around the table but also an atmosphere that promotes independence and dignity for persons living with dementia.
Memory care units provide personalized menus to ensure that individuals consume the calories they require in the manner that best meets their current requirements and preferences. Residents are offered various options to help them control their nutrition while being served in a less distracting atmosphere using adaptable plates or utensils.
Assisted living vs. memory care – special activities
Memory care facilities offer dementia-specific activities geared to the particular cognitive demands of persons with dementia, whereas an assisted living setting focuses on entertaining residents.
Assisted living vs. memory care – the environment
Memory care communities offer an atmosphere tailored to the requirements and safety concerns of persons suffering from memory and judgment impairments. These extra precautions are not provided in an assisted living community, which might result in an otherwise harmful situation for someone with dementia.
Dementia affects all five senses as well as memory and cognition. Memory care facilities provide safety features like door alarms and environmental features like motion-sensor lighting and one-touch sinks. These little touches not only provide people with a safer living environment but also one that promotes independence.
Making a decision
Assisted and memory care costs will vary depending on the community you choose. Pick senior living communities with considerable expertise in catering to your loved one’s needs. When you visit the community, ask plenty of questions and make sure your loved one is comfortable.
