When looking for a senior living community for your loved one, it can be difficult to know the difference between assisted living and memory care. Both types of communities provide a higher level of care than independent living for seniors, but each serves a different purpose. Before you select a senior living home for someone you love, learn the difference between assisted living and senior memory care. This will help you make an educated decision that will give your loved one the right level of assistance for the best quality of life.
At Calder Woods, we offer a full continuum of care for seniors to help make your choice easy. Our residents benefit from senior living options that adjust to their changing needs. Whether your loved one needs assistance with activities of daily living or a more secure environment to help manage memory and cognitive issues, we have the right program for them. Call us today at 409.407.7636 to learn more about the assisted living and memory care programs at our upscale senior living community.
What Is Assisted Living?
When seniors are no longer able to live fully independently, they may transition to an assisted living community. Assisted living provides help with activities of daily living that some seniors may struggle to complete on their own. If your loved one has experienced an accident, injury, or surgery, they may not be able to move in the same way they used to. This can also happen from health conditions that impact joint mobility, such as arthritis.
Some examples of activities of daily living that staff at an assisted living community may help with are:
- Getting dressed or undressed
- Bathing or showering
- Using the restroom
- Eating
- Getting in or out of bed or a chair
- Walking
While seniors with limited mobility may not need around-the-clock assistance, having access to staff at an assisted living community as needed can significantly enhance their quality of life.
What Is Memory Care?
Memory care is a higher level of care for seniors that caters to the needs of those living with memory loss. Seniors with memory conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia need full-time care to ensure their safety. Some features that help keep seniors safe in memory care include:
- 24/7 monitoring by specially trained staff
- Activities curated to support cognitive function
- Specialized therapies for memory loss
- Secured amenities to prevent wandering
In addition to the additional security, memory care also provides assistance with daily living tasks. The staff will ensure that the residents eat, bathe, and socialize regularly to support their overall health.
5 Differences Between Assisted Living and Memory Care
Some of the main differences between assisted living and memory care communities are:
- Memory care is designed for seniors living with memory loss.
- Assisted living is for seniors who need help with activities of daily living but are relatively independent otherwise.
- Seniors in assisted living have more freedom to explore their community, while memory care residents are in a secure setting to prevent wandering or confusion.
- Staff monitor residents 24/7 in memory care and provide more intensive care.
- Memory care communities may offer specialized therapies and activities to help residents stay mentally active.
The best way to know which level of care is right for your loved one is to schedule a consultation with a senior living community. They can let you know which services their memory care and assisted living programs offer and if they can accommodate your senior’s needs.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: Cost
Assisted living and memory care have different costs associated with them, depending on the community and services provided. Generally speaking, assisted living is typically more affordable than memory care because of its lower level of care. Seniors in an assisted living community usually only need help with activities of daily living occasionally, while those in a memory care unit are supervised around the clock.
However, if your loved one needs the specialized support available in memory care, that’s where they should be. Financial planning for long-term care is essential to ensure you can cover your loved one’s expenses comfortably.
At Calder Woods, we understand that selecting a senior living community is an important choice. From assisted living to memory care, our professional staff are here to help guide you through the selection process and make sure you pick the best option for your loved one.
Call Calder Woods for Top-Rated Senior Memory Care
Our life care community offers all levels of senior care that adapt to our residents’ needs. Whether your loved one needs a little help with daily tasks or would thrive in a secure environment for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, we have a program to suit them. Contact us today at 409.407.7636 to take a tour of our beautiful Texas senior community.