For much of the aging population, assisted living is the best way to enjoy a high quality of life, with on-hand support for basic daily activities. Taking residence in an assisted living community still allows a certain amount of independence, but knowing that there is a highly trained staff available will help seniors feel more comfortable and confident.
Assisted living is often necessary when the support of family, friends, and local elderly assistance programs are no longer enough. Seniors can often struggle to maintain and live in a large family home. Downsizing to an assisted living community is the perfect compromise in many cases.
Most people are familiar with forms of assisted living, but there can be some confusion where it overlaps with other facilities that include more specialized long term care. For example, some seniors may need memory care. While some would see this as a form of assisted living, the two are not completely alike and the terms are not fully interchangeable.
Learn about assisted living vs. memory care, and help to make the right decision for a family member who is in need of some extra help.
Assisted Living Explained
Assisted living is a specialized type of housing intended for aging persons who need some assistance with medical care and daily living. The exact type of living arrangement can vary between communities. The most common are individual rooms within a purpose-built complex, self-contained apartments, or shared quarters apartments.
Assisted living is designed to be comfortable and familiar. Facilities often create a residential atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Assisted living assumes some independence of the residents. People in assisted living do not need around-the-clock care and can manage their own basic essentials like grooming, dressing, hygiene, etc. most of the time.
Services provided within an assisted living community can include:
- Daily meal prep, depending on the needs of the residents.
- Monitoring and administration of medication.
- Some personal care, including help with bathing.
- Activities for recreation and socialization.
- Basic housekeeping and laundry services.
- On-call emergency care.
- Basic medical services.
Assisted living facilities can vary in terms of what they offer. It’s important to compare a few different local communities to determine which one best suits your needs or the needs of someone close to you who would be moving into the facility.
There are a few important questions to consider as you evaluate different options.
- How often is help needed for basic daily activities? Highly independent seniors can live in apartment-type communities, whereas those with more care needs may be more comfortable in a shared quarter or individual room type environment.
- In what areas is help most needed? Someone who needs regular support for bathing, dressing, and toileting will need an assisted care facility that offers around the clock services.
- What is the primary reason for choosing an assisted living facility? In some cases, patients with Alzheimer’s or other degenerative neurological conditions could be better suited to a dementia assisted living facility.
Assisted living is not the same as a nursing home. The key difference is the medical care provided. Staff in an assisted living community are primarily caregivers, whereas a nursing home is staffed by trained medical professionals including nurses and physicians.
What is a Memory Care Facility?
As we further explore the differences between assisted living vs. memory care, it’s important to define exactly what a memory care facility is.
Memory care is a type of assisted living, but with some specialist functions. This type of elderly care is designed for people who are living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The environments are designed to be safe and secure. Activities are designed to help residents with their cognitive abilities. Socialization is carefully monitored, without limiting residents in their ability to enjoy their interests and hobbies.
There’s a big difference when it comes to the staff at memory care units. They have specialist training in working with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cognitively impaired seniors.
Just because someone is experiencing memory loss or another form of cognitive decline, they shouldn’t have to suffer throughout their golden years. Living alone with dementia or a similar condition can be particularly hard, and, in many cases, it can also be dangerous.
A memory care unit aims to:
- Provide a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Residents are made to feel as comfortable as possible. This can reduce stress and anxiety.
- Keep residents secure. Some Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can become disorientated. They may attempt to leave the facility, putting themselves and others at risk. Specialized memory care units are secured day and night.
- The care is individualized. Dementia is a progressive condition, and each resident will have unique needs.
If somebody you love is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, a memory care unit could be the safest and most comfortable place for them to live. In some cases, it may be a medical necessity. Every effort is made to ensure that residents are comfortable, happy, and engaged with the community.
Assisted Living Memory Care
Now that you understand the differences between assisted living vs. memory care, it’s easier to see where the two come together.
A memory care unit can incorporate elements of assisted living, but the same is not true the other way around. Most assisted living communities do not have staff who are specially trained in dementia or Alzheimer’s care.
In fact, assisted living communities will not accept residents with moderate or advanced dementia and Alzheimer’s, because they won’t be able to provide the right level of security and safety for the resident.
In addition to standard assisted living and memory care homes, there are facilities available that offer on-site nursing and regular medical care. A nursing home is the right choice when a family member has extensive medical needs and is unable to take care of themselves in an independent household.
Common Misconceptions about Assisted Living and Memory Care
If you’ve never had first-hand experience with an elderly care facility, either through a parent, relative, or family friend, then you may have some misconceptions. Memory care facilities, dementia assisted living and assisted living communities once came with negative connotations, usually due to their portrayal in popular culture.
Modern communities are far from the way that they are depicted in films and television. Let’s dispel some of the myths that have been spread over time.
- Have you ever heard that patients are sedated to keep them calm and easy to care for? This is a common myth that has never had any basis in reality. Sedation may be used in some cases when medically advised, but patients have rights, including the right to refuse treatment. State inspectors frequently review medications given to residents.
- Another common myth is that residents of memory care centers and assisted living communities are lonely or even neglected. This is simply untrue. Any facility that would neglect their patients would quickly be shut down. The reality is that both assisted living and memory care facilities offer numerous social programs, daily activities, and opportunities for visits from family and friends. Staff are trained to be highly attentive, compassionate, and respectful.
- Some people assume that they will be separated from a spouse in a memory care nursing home. This is another myth. Couples that move into a community together will share the same room or apartment unit. It’s a requirement outlined in a patient’s bill of rights.
- Nursing homes are dirty, dingy, small, and smelly… at least that’s what rumors would have you believe. In the United States, this is far from the truth. Nursing homes, assisted living homes, and memory care units are designed to be comfortable. They are kept clean, well ventilated, and receive adequate natural and artificial lighting when needed. Interiors are designed to make patients feel at home.
- All nursing homes are for people with memory and cognitive problems. Again, this is just a myth. Nursing homes can be for patients recovering from surgery or overcoming an illness. Others will move into a nursing home so that they can receive frequent medical care in the most convenient way possible. Patients that do have needs related to Alzheimer’s and dementia live in specialized facilities where they receive professional care to keep them safe, comfortable, well socialized, and happy.
Forget the myths that have been spread about elderly care facilities. The majority of seniors who live in assisted care and memory care communities love their environments, neighbors, and the staff that care for them. When thinking about assisted living vs. memory care, understand that it’s an extension of the healthcare industry. The needs and comfort of the resident always come first.
Clarifying the Terms Throughout the Assisted Living and Senior Care Industry
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the various terms that are used throughout the senior care industry. What is a memory care facility? What’s the difference between dementia assisted living vs. nursing home? Is a memory care unit the same as a memory care nursing home?
For your reference and a sound understanding of the most common terms, we’ll run through a quick glossary:
- Nursing Home: A nursing home is an assisted living facility that provides specialized and ongoing medical services. This type of elderly care home is most suited to residents who can’t live independently.
- Assisted Living: An assisted living home is a community where help and care are provided for residents, but it is not strictly medical in nature. Assisted living is for people who maintain some independence but need some extra help and infrequent medical care.
- Memory Care Center/Unit/Home etc: Patients that suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other similar conditions can live in memory care center facilities where they are provided with specialized caregivers and offered activities that help to maintain cognitive ability. A memory care center includes elements of assisted living.
- Memory Care Nursing Homes: These facilities are designed for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, who also have other conditions that require regular medical treatment.
It’s evident that there’s some overlap between the different types of assisted living, memory care centers, and nursing homes. While ‘nursing home’ is often used as a blanket term for any kind of residential care facility, the reality is that each term means something slightly different, and there’s an important distinction to be made in each case.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care – Which is Right for Your Needs?
With all that you’ve learned, you can now make a decision for your loved one. Moving into an elderly care facility is a big step, and there can be strong emotions involved. A parent or other family member may find it difficult to say goodbye to their home, especially if they’ve lived in it for many years, or even most of their lifetime.
Support and compassion should be offered throughout this time. The best care facilities understand that the transition phase is tough, and they will go to great lengths to ensure that a new resident is comfortable, with all of their needs quickly attended to.
When it comes down to it, the choice between assisted living vs. memory care is relatively easy. If your loved one suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, a memory care unit or memory care nursing home will suit. If they simply need extra help with daily tasks and aren’t comfortable living on their own, then an assisted living facility will make everyday life much easier.
Elderly care communities have come a long way in recent years. They are vibrant, engaging, and provide plenty of time for socialization and continued personal development. Residents are treated with respect and receive medical care when they need it.
If living alone is no longer an option, then assisted living and memory care could be the best solution moving forward.