Memory Care or Assisted Living: Helping Your Family Navigate the Decision

When your parent has been diagnosed with dementia, it can be overwhelming to make decisions about their care. You want to find a solution that offers them the best quality of life and independence, while also keeping them safe. So, which do you choose – assisted living or memory care?

Here are four important ways memory care can offer advantages over assisted living for people with dementia.

Thoughtful Design For Memory Loss Progression

Elopement – the term used when a person with dementia leaves a safe environment unexpectedly and unaccompanied – is a serious concern for many families. While assisted living communities do offer safety and accessibility features for older people, they often don’t have the higher level of security at exits and back-of-house areas required for residents with memory loss. Assisted living communities also may feature larger, less intimate common spaces. These can be disorienting for people with cognitive issues and don’t allow for closer supervision by staff.

The best memory care communities are designed to allow for safe “exploring” indoors and out, with smaller neighborhoods and pathways that connect back to entrances. So, even if your parent isn’t currently showing signs of wandering or eloping, it’s important to consider their current needs as well as how those needs might evolve.

Meaningful Programs That Support Cognitive Health

A community’s engagement calendar offers opportunities for connection, purpose, and growth. While assisted living communities offer a wide variety of programs and events, most likely aren’t designed specifically for the needs, abilities and safety of those with memory loss.

The best memory care communities offer specialized programs that stimulate memory and cognitive functions, and incorporate each resident’s preferences, history, passions, and values. The goal is for your parent to be supported in a way that doesn’t just protect them, but rather helps them thrive. Families often report feeling relieved at seeing their loved one happier, more engaged, and calmer once they’re in an environment designed for their needs.

Experienced Team Trained To Support Memory Loss

A community’s staff to resident ratio, and training of the staff is another important factor to consider. Assisted living communities are staffed to care for a more independent resident population with less acute care and attention needs.

The best memory care communities offer not just more employees, but ones specially trained in dementia care – ideally with a registered nurse on site at all times to oversee resident care and medications, and respond quickly to a medical emergency. Also consider that moving directly to a memory care community means your loved one will have more continuity with their caregivers and their environment, instead of anticipating another move later.

Nutrition & Dining Experience

A proper eating routine is a core part of optimal aging, especially for people with dementia, as they may not remember when and what they should eat. The restaurant-style dining setup at assisted living communities isn’t ideal for those with memory loss, as printed menus with multiple choices can cause stress and confusion, and special diets and mealtime assistance may not be available.

At the best memory care communities, dining is a family-style occasion, with smaller, intimate groups of diners, simple this-or-that choices presented tableside, and staff present to assist and cue residents when needed.

So, What’s Right For My Loved One?

Dementia is a progressive disease that manifests in many different ways, and every situation is unique. Needs and behaviors can change quickly, sometimes unexpectedly. Memory care communities are set up to respond to these changes, ensuring they are safe, engaged, and supported, even as their condition evolves. This includes personalized support with daily routines, and staff who are trained specifically to work with residents at every stage of memory loss, from mild to advanced dementia.

Artis has helped more than 5,000 families navigate the family caregiver journey. Find an Artis community and schedule a tour to see firsthand how we can benefit your loved one.