What is Memory Care, and What are Its Benefits?
Entrusted Legacy Law
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Feb 03, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
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Memory care is specialized care for patients living with
Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other conditions that cause memory loss. Hospitals
and nursing homes may have memory care units or a separate entity dedicated to
this service. Memory care provides seniors with meals, opportunities to
socialize, mentally stimulating activities, and support for their
caregivers.
Benefits of Memory Care
People living with memory dysfunction need specialized care.
Although there’s often an expense involved with getting care, the benefits make
it worthwhile. Some of the many benefits of memory care may include the
following:
- Round-the-clock
supervision
- Assistance
with medication compliance
- Transportation
to and from doctor’s appointments
- A
secure environment that allows seniors to remain independent while
reducing the risk of wandering
- Access
to expert and individualized medical care
Living Options for Seniors Living With Alzheimer’s or
Dementia
If your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or
dementia, you may be seriously considering what the best next step is for
securing their long-term care.
Several living arrangement options exist for seniors living
with memory loss concerns. Your loved one’s condition may make one of the
following potential housing arrangements a better option than another. Here are
some of the choices you may want to explore for memory care:
- Low-Income
Housing
Low-income housing may be the most economical option for
long-term housing. This option is great for someone with a fixed income.
Low-income housing helps seniors whose condition is mild and hasn’t diminished
to the point where they cannot live unsupervised. Here, they may continue
living in their community with their spouse if they don’t also need specialized
care.
- Nursing
Home
Nursing home care is probably the most well-known living
arrangement option for seniors who can no longer live independently. Some offer
a specific unit or space dedicated to memory care. Nursing home employees can
also give residents medication, place an IV, provide wound care, and so on.
Other facilities generally don’t provide this high level of medical care.
This may be a suitable option for seniors who have dementia as well as another
chronic medical condition.
- Memory
Care Community
Memory care facilities specialize in caring for seniors in
the more advanced stages of dementia. In addition to 24-hour care and staff who
are specifically trained to treat residents with memory loss issues, these
communities also may be secure, locked facilities to help your loved one avoid
wandering. Memory care communities also assist with activities of daily
living and are often designed to mimic the look and feel of a private
home.
- Independent
Living Community
Independent living communities are a good idea for seniors
whose condition is mild to moderate. These communities may include memory care
services. This option works best for seniors who can still bathe, dress, and
perform other regular maintenance on their own. These facilities provide
seniors with a private living space and social and recreational activities to
help keep their minds active, which promotes healthy brain function.
This service is private-pay, so Medicaid won’t cover the expense.
- Assisted
Living Facility
An assisted living facility allows seniors who
need memory care to continue living independently. Employees can help residents
with medical emergencies, but if they need individualized, 24/7 care, this may
not be the best option. An assisted living facility can be a good option for
seniors who require help with cooking, bathing, dressing, running errands, and
getting to and from doctor’s appointments.
Medicaid typically covers some of the costs of assisted living facilities, such
as personal care services or on-site therapy. Note, however, that assisted
living facility offerings vary by state; not every facility will provide memory
care services.
- Continuing
Care Retirement Community
Continuing care retirement communities help seniors
whose conditions may decline over time. Patients can enter a continuing care
facility when they are still high-functioning. As their condition worsens, they
already have support and a care team to meet their changing needs. The cost of
living in a continuing care retirement community isn’t covered by Medicaid in
most cases, so be sure to budget accordingly if your loved one needs this
service in the future.
- Senior
Day Care
This option doesn’t involve lodging. However, it can be a
great way to ensure your loved one has someone to look after them when you need
to work, go to school, or have other tasks to complete outside of the
home. Adult day cares let seniors socialize and participate in
mentally stimulating activities that may help slow the progression of their
disease. These programs may include specialized services for those with
dementia.
Medicaid coverage for these services varies by state. Financial
assistance may also be available, such as grants or loans.
Contact an Elder Law Attorney
Knowing what to do for your family can be challenging. Connecting with an experienced elder law attorney can help point you in the right direction as you decide how to care for your loved one. You can find an elder law attorney in your area here.
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