Memory care is a type of long-term care community designed to meet the specific needs of individuals with a dementia diagnosis, like Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Memory care facilities offer 24-hour care and supervision, secured environments, specialized staff trained in dementia care, and memory-enhancing activities and therapies. Memory care can take place in apartment-like facilities, within a wing of an assisted living facility, or in smaller residential care homes. The goal of memory care is to provide an engaging, safe, and therapeutic environment for seniors with dementia to support their well-being and improve their quality of life. Individuals in the middle to later stages of dementia benefit most from a memory care environment.
Because dementia symptoms worsen over time, elderly adults with dementia are often unable to continue to live independently in their homes. If a family member is unable to take on the caregiver role, which can quickly become a full-time job, memory care is a great option. Memory care not only benefits seniors with dementia but also families who are feeling overwhelmed by their loved one’s advanced care needs. It gives families peace of mind that their loved one is in a secure and therapeutic environment with caregivers trained to handle difficult dementia behaviors.
Read on to learn all about memory care benefits, specialized services, costs, and payment options. We also offer free tips on finding and moving to a community in your area.
AMENITIES
What Are Secured Memory Care Units? Benefits and Features
Learn about the unique safety features of secured memory care units that cater to the needs of people with dementia.
Read the full articleMemory Care Architecture and Design: A Human-Centered Approach
Learn how human-centered design helps support memory care residents' cognitive function.
Memory Care Classes and Staff Training
Understand the kinds of dementia care training and certifications memory care staff typically receieve.
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Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Services
What Is Person-Centered Care for Dementia?
Memory care provides many of the same amenities and services offered in other senior living settings. However, dementia and Alzheimer’s care facilities specialize in meeting the intensive needs of seniors with memory loss. The following articles can help you understand how memory care communities compare to other senior care options.
CARE OPTIONS
Memory Care vs. Home Care for Dementia: 5 Key Differences
Learn about the differences between home care and memory care for seniors with dementia, and how to choose between the two.
Read the full articleMemory Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?
Learn how memory care facilities and nursing homes differ in costs, services, and programming, and how to make the best ...
Independent Living vs. Memory Care: What’s the Difference?
Learn the distinctions between these two settings as you consider senior living options for a loved one with dementia.
The median national cost of memory care is $6,200 per month, according to proprietary data gathered by A Place for Mom. Costs vary greatly between communities and depend on factors like location, community amenities, programming, apartment size, and the level of care a senior requires. Pricing models also vary. For instance, some memory care communities may be all-inclusive, while others may use an a la carte approach and charge based on services required by a resident.
Memory care base costs typically cover rent, utilities, meals and snacks, housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments, on-site activities, nonmedical therapies, and shared amenities. However, some amenities — such as in-unit internet service, beauty and barber services, laundry, and pet accommodations — may cost extra.
While many families look to savings to finance senior care, there are other little-known funding sources that can help. The articles below can help you better understand pricing and the options available to help pay for memory care.
Payment
How to Pay for Memory Care: 6 Options for Families
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Touring communities is one of the best ways to find the most suitable memory care for seniors. A tour can help you see what a typical day would look like for your loved one. You’ll get to look at apartment floor plans, interact with staff members and residents, explore shared amenities, and maybe even try a meal. Some communities even offer virtual memory care tours if an in-person visit isn’t possible.
The following guides cover everything you need to know about finding the right memory care community for a loved one.
Choosing Care
Choosing a Memory Care Facility: 10 Tips and Essential Checklist of Questions
Read the full articleChoosing Care
6 Tips for Virtual and In-Person Senior Community Tours
Once you’ve narrowed down your memory care options, the next step is to figure out moving details. It’s important to keep your loved one involved in decisions to help them feel a sense of control. However, their memory loss may prevent them from fully understanding the situation. During this process, being patient and realistic is essential. You can use the following conversational and moving tips to make sure the transition is as successful and smooth as possible.
Moving
Top 5 Tips to Help Seniors Downsize
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HOLIDAYS & GIFTS
25 Unique Gifts for Dementia Patients in Every Stage
VETERANS & BENEFITS
VA Memory Care Benefits and Programs
PAYMENT
Does Medicare Cover Memory Care? A Detailed Look
MEDICAL
Dementia and Paranoia: Triggers and Tips
SERVICES
Memory Care Management: Patient Care and Needs Management
PAYMENT
Is Memory Care Tax Deductible? Requirements, Eligible Expenses, and Tax-Prep Tips
Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
The score shown is the overall experience rating which is an average of the reviews submitted for those communities. The overall experience rating is a star rating that ranges from 1 being the lowest to 5 being the highest.
Below are the 51 largest cities grouped by their metropolitan area.
Top states for Memory Care
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal, or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney, or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.