What Should You Know About Memory Care?

The main thing you should know about memory care is that it offers specialized support and care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementias and other progressive cognitive disorders. Trained caregivers provide around-the-clock supervision and assistance in a safe and structured environment, and facilities use diverse science-based therapies and activities to enhance life enjoyment and slow disease progression.

Staff members in memory care communities have special training to work with people with dementia. This commonly includes communication and validation techniques, methods to deal with behavioral problems and ease distressing symptoms, knowledge of disease progression and resident-centered strategies. Caregivers additionally help individuals with personal care tasks and daily activities, such as personal hygiene, meal assistance and medication administration and the caregiver-to-resident ratios are usually high.

As well as 24/7 supervision, memory care facilities generally have added layers of security, such as key-coded doorways, wandering alerts and enclosed grounds. Rates commonly include housekeeping, laundry and transportation. Social, recreation and wellness programs usually feature cognitive and sensory stimulation, physical exercise and a range of ability-appropriate hobbies focusing on the resident’s strengths and sense of purpose. Facilities may offer diverse therapies known to benefit those with dementia, including music, art and pet therapies. Other features may include brain-boosting menus, companion-suite accommodations and relaxing resident lounges.

In addition to providing clinical and environmental attention, communities look to ease your burden by assuming the caregiving duties, allowing you to return to your role as the spouse, daughter, son or friend that can provide your loved one with inclusion, comfort and love.

According to 2021 statistics from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, as reported by AARP, the average cost of memory care in the United States is $6,935 per month. However, rates vary significantly depending on a facility’s services and amenities and its location in the country. Memory care is generally more expensive than traditional skilled care within a nursing home and can often be subsidized by Medicaid (state-funded assistance).

At the facilities you’re interested in pursuing, ask the staff what specific payment types are accepted. In contrast, assisted living is a private pay-only option in which you pay a flat rate as well as a-la-carte costs for additional services provided when needed.Low-income seniors may qualify for state funding to help cover their care costs, such as through traditional Medicaid or Medicaid waivers, and Medicare may cover some essential care services. Many long-term care insurance policies cover memory care, and other potential funding options include VA benefits and reverse mortgages.