In October 2024, Caring.com surveyed 1,000 dementia caregivers to help us understand the needs of individuals caring for loved ones with memory issues. Among our respondents, 73% cared for a dementia patient at home, often with help from home health care aides or in-home care assistants. 

An additional 16% reside in memory care facilities. This data point suggests that many Alzheimer's patients can often receive adequate care in their own homes or the homes of loved ones. So, how do you know when the time is right to look beyond home care?

While making the decision to seek memory care is personal for every family, the signs below may indicate that it's time to consider professional care for your loved one.

• Getting lost or disoriented while driving or walking on a familiar route
• Losing prescriptions, forgetting to take medication, or taking an improper dose
• A noticeable decline in grooming, such as an overgrown, unkempt beard or wearing clothes that appear to be unwashed
• Personality changes like increased aggression or withdrawal from loved ones
• Dangerous incidents at home, such as forgetting to turn off the stove or leaving the door or gate open
• Lack of cooperation with family caregivers

A memory care facility may be right for your situation if you feel overwhelmed with caring for your senior or think they might benefit from the increased level of care provided in a dementia care facility. Perhaps you have had a wake-up call when your older loved one wandered away from home or left a stove on unattended. Maybe they fell and injured themself, or you have simply begun seeing more regular signs of concerning memory lapses.

Your older loved one can receive several key services if they move to a memory care facility, like locked doors to keep them from wandering and grab bars and ramps to help with mobility. Staff members have trained in caring for those with memory challenges and possess the resources to help them live fulfilling, happy lives.  

Although every memory care facility is different, most offer amenities and design features that can help keep your loved one content and occupied. The following list includes common amenities.

• Enhanced Safety Features: Safety is vital for people with dementia. Doors and gates typically remain locked and/or alarmed, with security cameras monitoring entries and exits. Some facilities employ medical alert systems to know residents' locations at all times. 
• Group Activities: Facilities may feature lounges, game rooms, or other public spaces where residents can interact and develop friendships. Exercise classes, movie nights, and other social events help them remain engaged and connected with peers.
• Mental Stimulation: Your loved one may be able to participate in arts and crafts, concerts, and talks by experts. Pet therapy may be available, along with a garden where residents can plant flowers and vegetables themselves or sit and enjoy the stimulation of being outdoors.
• Trained Staff: Your senior's memory care facility will likely have staff members with dementia-specific training. They may be certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), or registered nurses (RNs). State governments determine training requirements. For example, in California, facility administrators must take eight hours of dementia-specific training every two years, while CNAs must take six hours of dementia training.
• Medicine Management: One of the challenges for seniors with dementia is remembering to take necessary medications when needed. Staff members at memory care facilities can help. They will also work with your loved one to ensure they attend medical appointments as needed.

Memory care costs vary depending on your location and chosen facility type. Based on Caring.com's proprietary senior living cost data, the average monthly cost of memory care in the U.S. is $5,100 per month. When exploring the possibility of memory care, ask about the exact costs of each facility's services.

While paying out of pocket is always an option, the high cost of memory care leads many families to seek financial assistance. Some of the most common ways to pay for memory care include:

• Medicare: Although it will not pay for room and board, patients can use Medicare to cover some medical services received in memory care facilities. 
• Medicaid: Medicaid does not directly cover memory care. Some states offer Home and Community-Based Services waivers to help cover the costs of some memory care services.
• Reverse Mortgage: These loans relate to the value of an older individual's home. There are several types of reverse mortgages, such as home equity conversion mortgages, insured by the federal government and available through the FHA. The loan must be paid back eventually, including interest.
• Life Insurance Settlement: If your loved one owns a life insurance policy and no longer needs the death benefit, they may receive a settlement by selling the policy or accessing the cash value of a permanent policy such as whole life insurance. Some policies may also allow access to the death benefit if the policyholder is terminally ill or in need of long-term care services.
• Aid and Attendance Benefits: These are tax-free monthly payments available to eligible veterans in addition to their VA pension. They can use these benefits to help cover memory care costs.

Once you have determined that dementia care is the right choice for your senior, Caring.com can help. We have expert Family Advisors available at no cost who can provide personalized advice and recommendations for you and your loved one. Call (800) 558-0653 to speak with a personal advisor and get answers to your questions on memory care.

The memory care facility you choose will be your loved one's new home, so careful consideration is key. There are multiple factors to consider, such as the facility's safety record, staff training, and range of activities. When you are ready to do an internet search for "dementia care facilities near me," Caring.com can help you decide what you should look for in a memory care facility.