Assisted Living vs Memory Care — Which Choice is Best for Your Family?
Your loved one deserves the right care at the right time. But with so many senior care options available, which one is right for your family? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but by knowing more about your options, you can decide on the best for your loved one.
One of the two of the most popular senior living options, assisted living and memory care, could be the right choice for your unique situation, especially if your loved one needs assistance with activities of daily living.
What is Assisted Living?
Also known as:
- Assisted living facilities
- ALFs
Assisted living is a type of residential care for people who require some assistance with activities of daily living, or ADLs. Activities of daily living are daily activities that someone needs to complete in order to have a decent quality of life. ADLs include showering, using the toilet, getting dressed, moving around, and making/getting meals.
While highly trained staff members offer assistance with ADLs, most assisted living residents can still live their lives fairly independently. Community outings, group wellness classes, and more are all activities assisted living residents regularly enjoy.
Assisted Living at St. Andrew's
Our approach to care is individualized, so that every single resident's needs are met, all within a supportive community setting. We assist when necessary and foster independence where possible.
Assisted living communities in the St. Andrew's network offer amenities and services like:
- 24/7 caregivers
- Spacious common areas
- Medication management
- Laundry and linen services
- Supervised community outings
What is Memory Care?
Also known as:
- Memory care facilities
- Memory care units
- Dementia care
- Alzheimer's disease care
Memory care services are for individuals who have some form of memory loss or cognitive impairment. Like people in assisted living, people living in memory care also require assistance with ADLs. Additionally, memory care residents require a secure environment to prevent unsupervised wandering. Memory care communities hire specially trained staff who know how to communicate with people living with dementia in an effective and compassionate manner.
Memory Care at St. Andrew's
Quality of life and providing the right type of care at the right time is what our memory care services are all about. Our caregivers receive specialized staff training to ensure that every resident not only has their physical needs met, but also their emotional and spiritual needs.
That is why memory care communities in our network offer services and amenities that include:
- Music therapy
- Housekeeping services
- On-site healthcare services
- Excellent staff-to-resident ratio
- Secure and easy-to-navigate layout
Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities — Which One is Better?
Assisted living vs memory care — which is better? Both are senior living communities dedicated to older adults that need some level of assistance on a day-to-day basis. They differ in the exact level of care they provide, however.
Assisted living communities are perfect for individuals that require only some assistance with activities of daily living but can otherwise maintain some degree of independence. Assisted living services are therefore great options for people living with some mild form of cognitive impairment or physical disabilities.
Discover Assisted Living Communities in the St. Andrew's Network
Memory care communities are great for individuals experiencing a significant degree of cognitive decline that requires a higher level of specialized care than other senior living options can provide. Memory care residents most often have some form of dementia or other significant type of memory loss.
Discover Memory Care Communities in the St. Andrew's Network
So, which one is best for your family member? It depends on what their specific long-term care needs are. If your loved one needs just a little assistance with ADLs but can otherwise navigate their day-to-day business without help, then they would likely feel comfortable with assisted living. If your loved one has significant healthcare needs or severe dementia, memory care may be best. Both options are fantastic for providing your loved one with a little extra security and assistance, as well as the emotional benefits of living in a community setting.
Contact us to learn more about which option could be right for your family.
Memory Care at St. Andrew's
Quality of life and providing the right type of care at the right time is what our memory care services are all about. Our caregivers receive specialized staff training to ensure that every resident not only has their physical needs met, but also their emotional and spiritual needs.
That is why memory care communities in our network offer services and amenities that include:
- Music therapy
- Housekeeping services
- On-site healthcare services
- Excellent staff-to-resident ratio
- Secure and easy-to-navigate layout
