There are many types of senior care facilities these days, which may make choosing one for your elderly a bit difficult. If you are looking for a senior living option for your loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, then you will generally be stuck with two options – memory care and assisted living. Both of these options can be beneficial for seniors with cognitive impairment. However, there are some subtle differences between assisted living and memory care, which you should be aware of to make an informed decision.
Differences between Assisted Living and Memory Care
Assisted living communities and memory care facilities have specialized staff to manage the needs of your elderly. Memory care communities will have professionals who are trained in providing care for people with cognitive disabilities. On the other hand, assisted living facilities will have trained staff to provide all kinds of care to seniors, such as daily hygiene, meals, housekeeping, etc. Therefore, assisted living suits those who need all-encompassing care services, while memory care suits those who require specialized care for Alzheimer’s or dementia.
The activities in assisted living and memory care also vary a little. Generally, assisted living communities offer activities to promote the overall health of their senior residents. This may include physical training, yoga, and dancing, to interactive games and other socialization activities. The activity routine will depend upon the overall health of the senior, so that they remain hale and hearty in the assisted living facility. Memory care communities usually focus on socialization and activities that boost cognitive functions. This way, they work to keep their residents calm, happy, and mentally stimulated.
The meal plans in assisted living facilities are designed as per the physical health of the senior. This ensures that they get enough nutrition and nourishment to keep all kinds of age-related health conditions at bay. Memory care communities also offer specialized dining options for their residents, but they are generally tailored to meet the needs of seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Anyway, both assisted living and memory care make sure that seniors enjoy their meal with co-residents, which helps to improve their mood and overall psychological health.
The living environment in memory care and assisted living are also designed to suit the needs of seniors. They will have all the measures to ensure that seniors are safe and can move around the facility without any hassles. Memory care communities often offer more specialized safety precautions for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia, whereas assisted living facilities keep the living environment safe for all seniors with movement problems or memory issues.