Memory Care, Defined.

Memory care is a form of residential long-term care and support that provides specialized care for people living with memory challenges. Learn more about memory care here.

Memory care and assisted living communities provide many of the same services, including housing, meals and help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing and grooming. However, memory care communities also specialize in caring for seniors with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia. Key differences include safety features, staff training, programs and activities. Some assisted living communities provide a continuance of care as memory loss progresses by offering secure memory care environments or neighborhoods. Learn more about the differences between memory care and assisted living here.

The basic difference between skilled nursing facilities and memory care communities is that memory care is exclusively for people with dementia — such as Alzheimer’s disease — while nursing homes are for people with almost any qualified medical issue that makes living at home or in an assisted living community too difficult. Nursing homes offer a more clinical, hospital-like setting, while memory care is more homelike. Learn more about the differences between memory care and nursing homes here.

What is “better” for your loved one can only be determined by you. However, many memory-related conditions (like Alzheimer’s disease) are progressive — meaning their memory loss will continue to deteriorate over time. As much as you would like to, it’s nearly impossible to provide around-the-clock care on your own. Home care is an option, but it typically cannot match the level of care, safety, amenities, and other significant benefits of a memory care community. In-home care can also be ultimately more expensive than the support provided in a memory care community.

Unfortunately, no. But through specialized memory-enhancing programming, 24/7 support and care and purposeful engagement, life in a memory care community can have a positive impact on overall quality of life — for both the person living with memory loss and the people who love them.

Most communities offer both. One is not better than the other. It’s a matter of personal preference for the resident and the family. If cost is a concern, companion suites typically cost less.

Kind, compassionate, person-centered care and support are offered around-the-clock in a safe, secure and homelike setting. Families should seek a community that has staff specially trained to recognize and ease the symptoms and behaviors that often come with progressive memory diseases. Communities should ideally offer a variety of services and amenities; healthy, nutritious meals; activities that help enhance cognitive abilities; and social opportunities among other memory care residents.

Yes. Memory care communities offer dementia-specific activities tailored to the unique needs of people with dementia and have experience in managing the challenging behaviors often associated with many forms of dementia.

Yes, along with assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.

Many senior living communities offer different lifestyles to address the changing needs of seniors. In such communities, the caregiving staff is often among the first to recognize when a resident will benefit from a different level of care and can help with the decision-making process.

Medicare does not cover long-term care such as that provided in a memory care community or skilled nursing center (nursing home), but it does cover inpatient hospital stays, home health care and necessary diagnostic tests should they be necessary. There are resources that can help offset the costs. Learn more or contact the Cascade Living community nearest you.

Memory care can help reduce confusion, prevent wandering, and improve overall quality of life. With the right programming, care and support, studies have shown that memory decline can be slowed. Put simply, for those living with memory loss, quality memory care can be the difference between living and living well.

Communities offering other senior lifestyles such as independent living or assisted living make it possible for couples with different needs to remain together in the same community.