Senior living has become a complicated topic, especially for parents helping their elderly loved ones navigate it. If you’re looking for assisted living and memory care options, the first step is understanding what each entail.
Understanding Assisted Living
Assisted living communities are a great option for aging family members who need some help but don’t require constant 24/7 medical care. Assisted living offers a safe, secure environment where your parent can live independently while receiving assistance with their daily activities and chores. The level of support depends on the community; some may offer basic tasks like laundry and meal preparation, while others provide services such as medication reminders and help manage money. In-home care providers also work closely with assisted living providers to ensure your loved one gets the necessary care.
Understanding Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized type of assisted living explicitly designed for people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory-related disorders. The professionals are trained to help residents with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and eating—skills that may have deteriorated as the disease progressed. Some senior-friendly independent living communities also have specially trained nurses on staff who can administer medication and monitor your parent’s health more closely than would be possible in an ordinary assisted living community.
Comparing Benefits
So, what do you think? Assisted living is an excellent option for many seniors and their loved ones. But it’s also clear that memory care is a perfect choice for others.
Assisted living facilities are designed specifically for aging adults who need help with day-to-day tasks but don’t require constant medical attention. Residents usually live independently in an apartment within the assisted living community and pay a monthly fee based on income guidelines set by each state. Some communities provide meals on-site, while others offer transportation services to nearby restaurants or grocery stores so residents can get out of their apartments when they want to.
The benefits of memory care for aging family members with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are well documented. Senior-friendly independent living communities allow patients to live, eat and socialize with people who understand their condition. In addition, they provide 24-hour supervision and help with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and grooming.
Memory care also allows families to rest easily, knowing that their loved one is receiving proper care while away from home. This can be especially helpful when a parent needs assistance with medication management or other day-to-day tasks that might otherwise fall on an adult child’s shoulders.
Deciding Which Option Is Best
When making the decision, you’ll want to consider your parent’s needs, preferences and finances. Where they will be living is also essential in determining which type of care would be best for them. The community’s location will determine how accessible it is for family members and friends who want to visit regularly. Also important to consider is whether or not your parent lives alone or with someone else (such as a spouse).
If you are concerned about your parent’s safety while bathing and dressing, then an assisted living facility may be the best option. If they need help with medications and preparing meals but still have some independence left in them, then a memory care facility might work well for them.
