Although in some ways similar, Assisted Living and Memory Care aren’t entirely the same. There’s a difference between needing help with the activities of daily living (ADL) — bathing, dressing, managing medicines — and needing Memory care. Assisted Living is the level of care intended to help otherwise capable seniors with these ADLs. Memory Care is a form of Assisted Living that provides intensive, specialized care for people living with memory loss, age-related dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re trying to determine which level of care might be right for someone you love, this information should help.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living communities, or the Assisted Living option at a Life Plan Community, give residents extra help to complete the tasks of daily living. This may come in the form of assistance with meals, light housework, bathing, dressing, taking medications, or perhaps navigating the common areas of the larger community. Assisted Living residents have their own private residence and can take advantage of activities, programs and special attention designed just for them. Seniors can get the help they need to live more independently, and loved ones are assured their parents or grandparents are living in safety and comfort. Assisted Living is designed to support individuals with physical limitations, but whose cognition is relatively good.
Memory Care is specifically for people with dementia
Memory Care goes beyond the services of Assisted Living. In addition to constant care and supervision, high-quality Memory Care is designed for people living with dementia. Trained professionals work in a secured living environment to reduce the risk of residents getting into dangerous situations or wandering into the wrong areas. There may be interior gardens for residents and families to enjoy, and certain areas may be color-coded to help with easy navigation and decrease anxiety. In addition to extra security, a good Memory Care environment creates the right setting for residents to regain a sense of independence and to help maintain it longer.
Which level of care is right for your family?
When there’s a question or confusion about the type of care needed, a clinical assessment can offer some answers. Your primary care physician, or the director of nursing at a good Memory Care community can administer a variety of mini-mental tests with you present to help determine whether Assisted Living or Memory Care is appropriate at this time. These assessments are in no way intimidating and can be helpful and educational for the family.
People with dementia may continue to have strong, healthy bodies, even as their minds are failing. This creates unique problems, causing them to resist care of any kind. On the other hand, older loved ones with physical limitations but who retain their cognitive abilities realize the need for assistance and can enjoy a measure of independence in Assisted Living. If only minimal signs of dementia are present, a move to Assisted Living may be the right decision for the time being, keeping the prospect of Memory Care open for a later date. But what begins as innocuous short-term memory loss may quickly progress to dangerous situations like wandering outside or mistakes with medication that have serious consequences. So distinguishing the right level of need and the right level of care is important.
Finding care that’s flexible and adaptable
Not every community offering Assisted Living with Memory Care is the same. One benefit of a dedicated Memory Care program is that it can be provided in degrees that are appropriate for each resident. An unfortunate stereotype about both Assisted Living and Memory Care is that they’re just not much fun. But that stereotype isn’t necessarily true. Memory Care isn’t only meant to keep loved ones safe and comfortable; it should allow them to be social and have fun with their peers. Games, thought-provoking activities, and loving companionship all help sustain Memory Care residents and make the most of each day.
Choose your level of care at Friendship Village Senior Living.
Both Assisted Living and Memory Care services at Friendship Village communities offer individualized support. Residents enjoy the comfort of their own private apartment with medical professionals and a nurse on-site 24/7. The Bridge at Friendship Village connects our Assisted Living and Memory Care programs, and is home to a transitional neighborhood providing oversight to those who may need future memory care. The Bridge is a warm, secure environment that includes 10 apartments managed by a dedicated caregiver. With the highest caregiver- to-resident ratio of all levels, as well as the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® approach, Friendship Village creates a unique treatment path for each resident.
We invite you to call our Chesterfield campus at 636-255-8281 or our Sunset Hills campus at 314-730-3902 for more information or contact us online to learn more about Assisted Living and Memory Care at Friendship Village.