Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: Understanding the Services, Support & Signs It’s Time to Transition

Understanding Assisted Living vs. Memory Care

Researching the benefits of assisted living vs. memory care can feel overwhelming, and having to make the decision of which one is right for your loved one is even more difficult. CarePatrol is here to help you understand how assisted living and memory care differ, what each can do for your loved one, and when to move from an assisted living community to a memory care facility.

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities offer assistance with day-to-day tasks as needed while allowing their residents to maintain a certain amount of autonomy. Some of these tasks include bathing, medication management, and household chores.

Assisted living residents have access to exercise classes, help with basic care tasks, and other activities to boost their health while promoting independence.

Memory Care

Seniors living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or similar cognitive impairments are best suited to live in a memory care facility. Memory care facilities are designed to promote safety and provide the care needed by adults living with these conditions. Memory care facilities often offer similar amenities to other senior living communities, but with a focus on tasks such as stimulating memory and maintaining safe environments to prevent wandering.

What Signs Indicate It’s Time for Memory Care?

When an older adult begins to show signs of dementia or other forms of cognitive impairment, it might be time to start discussing a move to a memory care program. They may be able to stay in their current assisted living community during the early stages of cognitive decline, but memory care facilities provide a secure environment to help keep your loved one and those around them safe as their condition progresses.

Some assisted living communities have separate memory care units within the place, so their move may be as simple as changing locations within their current community.

Signs it’s time to move from assisted living to memory care include:

• Wandering or getting lost
• Aggression or frustration
• Frequent forgetfulness
• Poor hygiene
• Changed eating habits
• Difficulty with social interaction or participating in planned activities

Common Warning Signs of Elopement Risk in Residents

Elopement is when a dementia patient wanders away from a safe location. This is a major concern and usually one of the most significant signs that it’s time to move to a memory care facility with appropriate safety measures, as elopement poses a serious safety risk.

Some warning signs that a resident may be at risk of eloping include:

• Packing their belongings
• Stating they want to leave
• Looking for exits

When Is It Time to Transition from Assisted Living to Memory Care?

The idea of transitioning from an assisted living community to a memory care facility can be overwhelming and stressful. You may want your loved one to continue to keep their autonomy and independence in an assisted living community, and worry that you may be making the switch too soon, or fear you’re waiting too long and putting their safety at risk.

Below are five signs that transitioning from assisted living to memory care is best for your loved one’s well-being.

1. The Assisted Living Community Recommends Memory Care

Doctors and nurses at the assisted living community oversee the care of many patients and have experience determining when it is the right time for someone to transition to more specialized care. They see your loved one performing daily tasks and interacting with others, and have a good idea about what is safest and most beneficial for your loved one’s health and those around them.

2. Safety Is a Concern

Most assisted living communities lack the safety features necessary when residents begin wandering. Because these locations are designed to encourage independent living among seniors, there aren’t locks to keep residents inside the community, which poses a risk to seniors who are at an elevated risk of eloping. A specialized environment with appropriate safety measures is the most beneficial for many older adults facing memory loss.

If your loved one begins to struggle managing medication, taking it inappropriately, or forgetting to take it at all, this also poses a considerable safety risk that points to a memory care facility being the best option for their care.

Other safety risks your loved one might begin to exhibit include trouble eating and drinking, having bruises they can’t explain, and exhibiting combativeness.

3. Cognitive Needs Aren’t Being Met

As your loved one’s dementia progresses, they will begin to struggle with activities they used to participate in at their assisted living community. They may find contributing to conversations difficult or become confused about what they’re doing. This often leads to seniors isolating themselves, which can ultimately worsen their condition.

Memory care units offer specialized support to deal with the challenges of memory impairment.

4. Inability to Express Physical Challenges

Often, seniors with moderately severe cognitive decline struggle to express physical challenges. These challenges and/or their frustration with them are written off as inappropriate behaviors. Some of these physical challenges include:

• Loss of balance and coordination
• Fatigue
• Incontinence
• Pain

Memory care units are better equipped to help residents deal with these sorts of issues and the behaviors they may exhibit because of them.

5. Declining Health

Declining physical health is a huge sign that your loved one may need to make the move to more specialized care. They may be losing weight, signifying that they are forgetting to eat. They could also be struggling with incontinence, a sign that their mental health is starting to affect their physical health.

If your loved one has begun exhibiting these five signs, it may be time to look into the transition to a memory care unit. Memory care residents receive specialized care to help with these issues.

Are you looking for more insight into whether your loved one needs additional support? Check out our blog on Signs Aging Parents Need Help.

Transition Tips for Moving from Assisted Living to Memory Care

1. Coordinate with your loved one’s care team

Your loved one’s care team can be an excellent resource for insight into the transition process from one care community to the next. These team members know exactly what to expect, having been through the process many times. They’re available to answer any questions about assisted living vs. memory care and how the transition will go.

2. Prioritize your loved one’s agency

Even as your loved one’s mental health declines, be sure to keep them involved in their own care. A sense of agency can go a long way in preserving confidence and improving emotional well-being. Try not to treat them like a bystander in their own life.

3. Communicate openly with your loved one

Keep your loved one in the conversation about their care and what changes you may be making. Sudden changes to daily living can be difficult for those with memory-related conditions, so keeping an open dialogue about what is happening and what their future will look like is essential.

4. Look for ways to maintain consistency

Memory care residents thrive on routine and consistency. Throughout your loved one’s transition, try to keep their routine the same in as many ways as possible. Family members can continue to visit on the same days of the week they always do.

5. Offer continued support

Continue to support and be involved in your loved one’s care even when they move to a memory care facility. Keep in close contact with their care team and let your loved one know you are helping to ensure everything goes smoothly for them.

Support Your Loved One’s Needs in a Place They’re Proud to Call Home

As your loved one’s daily living needs change and they begin to need more specialized care, it can be hard to know exactly what assisted living or memory care communities might be right for them. CarePatrol offers insight into the various senior care options available to its residents.

CarePatrol is here to help you navigate this stressful time. Find your Local Senior Care Advisor to speak with someone who can help you understand your options and find the right care option for your loved one.