Memory Care vs. Assisted Living

Assisted living is a long-term living option designed for seniors who need some help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents of assisted living communities live as independently as they’re able, but with the knowledge that helping hands are never too far away.

Assisted living communities have trained employees on-site around-the-clock to help residents with their ADLs. However, these employees are typically not trained to care for seniors with memory loss, and ALFs do not offer the specialized medical care and safety measures in place at memory care facilities. Additionally, because people with dementia and other memory problems typically require more extensive, specialized care than other older adults, memory care facilities tend to be pricier than assisted living facilities.

Memory Care vs. Nursing Home Care

Nursing homes offer a more intensive level of medical care than any other type of senior living. People living in nursing homes are typically less able to live independently or care for themselves than people who can live in an assisted living facility, and the available services reflect this. But the high-level of care offered at nursing homes is typically more focused on medical care rather than memory care. Those living with memory impairment may not be able to receive the personalized attention and cognitive stimulation that they need in a nursing home setting.

As with assisted living facilities, some but not all nursing homes may have a special memory care unit or have trained memory care staff. No matter which type of senior care facility you’re looking into, it’s important to ask about staff members’ level of memory care knowledge and training if you have an aging parent with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

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