Are you or your family in the early stages of researching memory care? Moving a loved one to memory care can be a stressful and emotional time for everyone involved. On top of these conflicting feelings, you might not even be sure exactly what memory care is. All you want is a smooth transition for your loved one to a safe environment where he or she will be happy. These are the top questions and answers that will help ease the transition into memory care for you and your loved one.

What is Memory Care?

Memory care is a type of senior living community that specializes in working with individuals affected by cognitive impairments, Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. A resident in a memory care community has access to full-time care, specialized staff, safe and secure environments, and cognitively stimulating activities designed to enhance memory. Specific care services include assistance with daily living activities, emergency monitoring, transportation, housekeeping, and care planning. While there are some similarities, it is important to note that a memory care community is not the same as an assisted living community. When looking for memory care, make sure they provide the right type of assistance your loved one needs. For instance, if your loved one has a persisting, chronic illness, be sure to choose a community that can provide the appropriate care for their specific need.

What is a Memory Care Community?

Memory care communities differ in amenities, but generally, they will provide a structured environment with set routines to avoid stressful situations for people with memory loss. These communities are designed to benefit people with cognitive issues, and also give them a living setting in which to enjoy social interactions with peers. This design is also important for giving families the peace of mind to know that their loved one is in a safe and happy environment.

Most memory care communities include dining rooms where residents eat their meals together and common areas where residents can lounge and participate in different kinds of activities. There are often secure outdoor areas as well as walking paths, gardens, and seating. Security features such as motion-lights, cameras, alarms, emergency call systems, and digital locks should be in place to prevent wandering and preserve the residents' safety.

The job of memory care team members is to guide residents through their daily lives. They do this with services such as providing meals to residents and assisting them with personal care tasks. Memory care communities are similar to assisted living communities, but memory care team members have unique training to respond to an aging adult with dementia. The care of someone with dementia requires more supervision and continued structure throughout their days.

How Do I Choose a Memory Care Community for My Loved One?

When deciding on a community for your loved one, there are a few important things to consider:

• What It Looks Like
  Making sure the campus is clean is often a great place to start. The way a community smells and feels can make a big impact on the residents. Take a look at the outdoor areas and spaces for life enrichment activities, as well as noticing how happy the residents seem.

• Who They Will Spend Time With
  The staff and team members your loved one will be around are definitely worth observing. The level of training and availability of team members can have a huge impact on your loved one’s well-being. Take note of how respectful and friendly they are with residents. Also, pay attention to how friendly other residents are, and ask questions about relationships between residents, their families, and professional caregivers.

• Activities They Will Do
  Another important factor is how they will be spending their time. Make sure that the programming for activities and social engagements are life giving and cooperative for your loved one. Next, ensure that there are both physical and cognitively stimulating activities. Learn what rehabilitation and therapy programs are available, and above all, make certain that the environments are safe.

• How Meals Are Handled
  Pay attention to the variety and health of the food. There should be strategies in place to encourage nutritious eating and designated places where meals are held.

• Ask Questions
  Have a conversation with the executive director or administrator to learn what the continuum of care options are. You don’t need to know all the answers, but having trust in the care team is essential. Get an understanding if the community will be able to provide the right care for your loved one as they age.

Schedule a Virtual Tour

If you're not ready for an in-person visit to a memory care community, you could still benefit from participating in a virtual tour. You'll get a much better sense of what you can expect and what to look for.

How much does memory care cost?

In lieu of a tiered rent formula based on a resident’s care needs, Remember Me Senior Care has chosen to offer an all-inclusive rent cost that remains the same for the entirety of a resident’s time with us. All services and assistance within our scope of care that a resident requires will be provided without additional charges.

 Other memory care communities often provide a standard rent cost that consists of the cost of living options selected and basic care services. Additional services can be charged on an as needed basis. This means that the higher the level of care and supervision needed by your loved one, the higher the cost is going to be. Furthermore, costs can differ greatly from one location to the other.

 Generally speaking in terms of cost, memory care is one of the more expensive types of long-term care. It typically costs 20% to 30% more than assisted living. This is due to factors such as the specialized training and skills needed to care for these residents, and the heightened safety and security measures.

Speak to a Memory Care Expert

It is important to have your questions answered from an honest, compassionate professional. We understand that there are many factors that go into choosing a memory care community, and we want to help you walk through the process. Speak to one of our memory care experts.

How do you tell a person with dementia that they are moving to a memory care community?

Telling a person with dementia, especially a loved one, that they are moving to memory care may seem like a difficult and daunting task. Here are some tips to help work through it:

• Gather a support network of family members, such as siblings, to help show a united front

• Research and tour communities prior to having the conversation so that you can reference examples to help appeal to your loved one

• Choose to tell them at a time when they will be able to focus and a place where they can feel comfortable and secure

• Establish a main idea or script with the rest of the group to ensure there is not any confusion with what is being communicated

• Put yourself in your loved one’s shoes, and do your best to empathize with them to try and work towards the best solution

• Check in with yourself after making the decision to find support for it and avoid guilt

• Do not be surprised if your loved is bothered and is persistent about wanting to return home

• Give them time

Still worried about the process? Consider talking to a friend or someone else you know who has gone through this decision-making process. They may be able to give you some advice on how to handle this difficult situation. An often overlooked aspect of the process is not the well-being of the resident, but that of the resident’s family.

Does Medicare Cover Memory Care?

If someone with dementia has Medicare, it will pay for some disease related costs. However, this does not apply to long-term or residential memory care. People with dementia who are 65 years or older and are receiving inpatient hospital care will receive Medicare benefits. This includes some doctors’ fees and other medical items. Also, Medicare will pay for skilled nursing home care for up to 100 days under certain circumstances. Furthermore, if your loved one is deemed to be near the end of their life, it will pay for hospice care to be delivered to their home, nursing facility, or inpatient hospital facility. Some other costs that may be covered by Medicare are medications, hospital supplies, and diagnostic testing.

Other Financial Resources to Pay for Memory Care

For those who need help paying for memory care, there are other financial resources, including:

• Private insurance that covers care for memory impairments

• Retirement benefits, including individual retirement accounts and annuities

• Personal assets such as savings accounts, investments, and real property

• Community organization programs that help qualified individuals, such as a local Alzheimer’s Association, churches, or volunteer groups

When is it the time for memory care?

It is not always easy to know exactly when it is time to move a loved one to memory care. If you are caring for a loved one, you may come to a point where you are completely overwhelmed, especially if you are trying to balance your caregiving with work and other life responsibilities. Some cases of dementia are mild enough where they do not call for the services of memory care. Your loved one may still be physically active and get around fine, but it is important to pay attention to their cognitive function. When an individual is in a state where they become noticeably forgetful, get lost more often, or have difficulty concentrating on tasks, it might be time to start speaking with your loved one’s physician about future plans. However, it is important to understand where the line is drawn, and to know when it is time to start seriously considering memory care as an option. Here are some notable signs that it may be time for you to step in:

• Your loved one needs constant care and supervision at all times of the day

• They have been diagnosed with a dementia-related condition, such as Alzheimer’s

• They have trouble keeping track of names, time, days, or their everyday routine

• They do not wish to interact with others

• They have lost some coordination and mobility

• They require reminders for important tasks, such as taking their medication

• They require assistance with personal hygiene tasks, such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting

• They isolate themselves and are lonely

• They wander

• They are having sudden physical changes, such as posture, weight loss, and loss of mobility

Take the Questionnaire

Do you think your loved one might be a candidate for memory care? If you’re not sure, fill out this questionnaire and let us help you come to an educated decision.