Memory Care Vs Assisted Living: Staff Training
Memory care communities and assisted living communities both share similar staff, such as nurses and nursing assistants. However, memory care communities boast staff with additional training and experience with the issues people living with dementia often face such as swallowing difficulties, wandering, and anxiety. Staff working in memory care communities, from the administrator to the housekeepers, are required by most states to attend continuing education classes that help them understand the brains of people living with dementia while mastering strategies for mitigating distress and supporting residents. If your loved one seems anxious or has problem behaviors, or you have trouble supporting and reassuring them at home, memory care is usually the superior option.
Memory Care In Chicago Illinois
About 2.75 million residents call Chicago home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of those residents, more than 12 percent are 65 years old or older. Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia impact some individuals in this age group, and Chicago seniors are no exception. Between 2014 and 2018, the number of Alzheimers-related deaths in the city rose by 3.26%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2014, there were 1,321 Alzheimers-related deaths, and this number rose to 1,364 in 2018. This death rate outpaced the death rate of 2.03% for all conditions in Chicago, indicating that the incidence of Alzheimers disease is growing.
Fortunately, memory care communities can help Chicago seniors find support, care and comfort as they manage an Alzheimers diagnosis. These facilities offer 24-hour care for memory care residents who require additional support and services. Learn more about Chicagos memory care facilities, their costs and resources for families and caregivers in this guide.
Memory Care Admissions Process
The memory care admissions process is the same as assisted living. There are, however, some differences in the assessment.
Possible reasons for exclusion from memory care are the following:
- Aggressive or sexually inappropriate behavior that would be a threat to other residents.
- Suicidal thoughts and actions.
- Complex medical needs.
Even if any of these exclusionary reasons exist, some memory care communities may accept a prospective resident and try and work with them. Memory care staff are accustomed to challenging residents and have the skills to manage some of these problems. If your loved one moves to memory care, the adjustment can take some time.
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Activities In Assisted Living
Activities provided in assisted living typically provide entertainment, socialization, and companionship. The variety of activities provided will vary depending on the facility. Many facilities will provide a monthly calendar of activities and it may be worth reviewing some of the activities offered to see if they align with an individuals interests and hobbies. Some common examples of assisted living activities include:
- Cooking
- Art therapy
Memory Care In Olney Md
At Olney Assisted Living, which is managed by Artis Senior Living, our mission is to promote independence and dignity for residents diagnosed with Alzheimers disease or other types of dementia. We are uniquely dedicated to helping each resident find meaning and joy every day. While Olney, MD, is a charming town with shops, restaurants and a hometown feel, it’s conveniently located just 20 miles from Washington, D.C. and minutes from Metro stations and highways.
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How Does Memory Care Compare To Other Senior Care Options
Memory Care vs. Assisted Living
Assisted living is a long-term living option designed for seniors who need some help with activities of daily living . Residents of assisted living communities live as independently as theyre able, but with the knowledge that helping hands are never too far away.
Assisted living communities have trained employees on-site around-the-clock to help residents with their ADLs. However, these employees are typically not trained to care for seniors with memory loss, and ALFs do not offer the specialized medical care and safety measures in place at memory care facilities. Additionally, because people with dementia and other memory problems typically require more extensive, specialized care than other older adults, memory care facilities tend to be pricier than assisted living facilities.
Memory Care vs. Nursing Home Care
Nursing homes offer a more intensive level of medical care than any other type of senior living. People living in nursing homes are typically less able to live independently or care for themselves than people who can live in an assisted living facility, and the available services reflect this. But the high-level of care offered at nursing homes is typically more focused on medical care rather than memory care. Those living with memory impairment may not be able to receive the personalized attention and cognitive stimulation that they need in a nursing home setting.
What Exactly Is Memory Care
Memory care communities differ greatly from assisted living communities. The residents in memory care have specific and serious memory-related needs. They may not remember who they are from day to day and may get frustrated walking around spaces that theyve lived in for a while but now feel unfamiliar. They may be prone to wandering off the premises and can pose a danger to themselves and to others, especially if they get aggressive when frustrated.
The approach in memory care is different, and so are many design considerations. For instance, people with memory problems may get frustrated when confronted with a door they cannot get through, so many memory care communities have circular walkways where residents will not encounter doors or other obstacles to wandering. Likewise, touching something that doesnt match how it looks can be scary . Reputable memory care facilities try to devote a good deal of attention to factors such as:
- Consistent lighting that avoids shadows
- Circular walkways
- Locked exits that prevent off-site wandering
- Activities reminiscent of eras that unlock residents memories
To expand on the last one, an assisted living facility might have a social room that is filled with spaces for arts and crafts, jigsaw puzzles and board games. A memory care facility might instead have spaces devoted to child care and office work . It may also have music therapy sessions in which residents listen to songs from their younger days.
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Benefits And Drawbacks Of Memory Care In Chicago
- Chicago is home to many well-regarded hospitals, giving seniors access to excellent medical care when needed. These hospitals include the nationally ranked University of Chicago Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The University of Chicagos Memory Center provides care for patients with memory disorders and works with patients to develop a customized care plan for their health needs.
- Chicago offers senior transportation programs, including door-to-door service provided through the Chicago Transit Authoritys Taxi Access Program. This service allows eligible seniors to ride in taxis at reduced rates.
- The cost of living is high in Chicago, coming in at 23% above the national average. Despite transportation costs being particularly high, seniors can tap into reduced transportation rates through several CTA programs to help cut down on costs.
- Illinois is a tax-friendly state for seniors. The state exempts retirement income, including Social Security benefits, from taxes, which can leave extra money in seniors bank accounts.
- Seniors with respiratory problems might have trouble with Chicagos air quality. The American Lung Associations State of the Air report ranks the Chicago metro 15th nationally for particle pollution and 16th nationally for high ozone days.
What Is A Memory Care Community
Unlike memory care facilities, memory care communities offer a warm, vibrant environment where your loved one with Alzheimer’s can find meaning and connection. Think of them more like safe, secure and intimate neighborhoods where everyone knows your name and everything you love and need is always close by.
There are few things that give a person purpose as much as being a part of a loving community. Community provides friends to lean on during the tough times, to celebrate with during the good times and, perhaps most importantly, to help you overcome feelings of loneliness common amongst older adults. For those with a dementia diagnosis, holding onto those connections in a place where they can receive personalized care is key to staying independent for as long as possible. This is where memory care communities come in.
It’s really the difference between home and not home, says A.J. Cipperly, National Director of Memory Care at AlerisLife. Home means different things to different people, but at its core, home is a place that is familiar, filled with people I know and care about it’s a place where I have control and independence and find comfort. A memory care community brings those elements of home into the building so that it isn’t home-like, but it IS home.
What’s the difference between a memory care community and an assisted living community?
What is it like to live in a memory care community?
How much does a memory care community cost?
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Staff Training And Care
Staff members at both assisted living and memory care facilities have experience supporting residents with day-to-day tasks.
But staff at memory care facilities are well-equipped and trained to provide 24-hour, person-centered care that helps seniors with dementia maintain cognitive skills, a sense of self, and quality of life for as long as possible. Beyond developing nursing care plans tailored to the individual needs of a resident with dementia, staff may also follow best practices for a memory care community.
Caregivers at memory care facilities know how to effectively and compassionately prevent and manage difficult dementia behaviors, such as wandering and aggression. They also understand the balance of encouraging residents to stay as independent as possible while providing the support they need.
Plus, with a generally higher staff-to-resident ratio than assisted living and other senior care types, memory care gives residents more one-on-one attention throughout the day.
Assisted Living Facility Statistics By State
The financial burden of assisted living varies by state. It ranges from a median monthly price of $3,000 in Missouri to $6,690 in Delaware. Below, compare the total number of facilities and the average cost of assisted living by state.
Currently, Medicare covers up to 20 days of assisted living care. Most state Medicaid programs cover some assisted living costs, but the amount and days covered vary by state. Most residents need other financing methods beyond just insurance.
| Number of assisted living communities | Maximum licensed capacity |
| $50,100 |
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See How Silverado Enhances Quality Of Life
Each community provides expert clinical care led by a Physician Medical Director . Licensed nurses are on-site around the clock. Every Silverado associate receives training in dementia and how it affects the residents with whom they work. The communities are arranged into three neighborhoods providing different levels of care to meet the needs of residents at different stages of the disease .
Communities provide a warm, comfortable environment that features pets and often children. Independence and socializing are encouraged as ways to help residents maintain function and ability. Restaurant-quality meals, engaging activities and life-enriching outings round out the living experience at Silverado.
Comfort, respect and dignity are all important aspects in maintaining quality of life when living with memory impairment. This in mind, our approach to memory care facilities is not to make them like a home, but to make it a residents home fully and completely. Care from a skilled, compassionate staff in a warm environment forms the foundation of our mission to enrich the lives of residents and their families, making Silverado much more than just an assisted living facility.
When you take the time to tour a Silverado Memory Care Community youll see the difference right away:
What Services Can I Expect With Assisted Living Vs Memory Care
As mentioned earlier, memory care specializes in caring for people with dementia, while assisted living provides day-to-day support for the elderly who can go about their activities independently.
Services Covered by Assisted Living
An assisted living facility will provide support for your loved one across the following areas:
- Minor over site with some ADLs
- Meal services
- Transportation to appointments
Services Covered by Memory Care
Memory care provides similar services as assisted living facilities, with the addition of specialized focus for someone with memory loss and disease-related behaviors.
These services include:
- Meal service and assistance as needed
- Medication management and oversite
- Care coordination and follow up
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Secured entrances and exits to prevent wandering
- Memory-enhanced therapies
- Unique layouts to reduce confusion
- Activities specifically focused for dementia
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Assisted Living And Memory Care Facilities
Today there are options available in addition to in-home care that help you or a loved one from having to go into a nursing home. Assisted living and memory care facilities can provide quality care in a less clinical setting. This LTC NEWS guide will help you learn more about assisted living and memory care.
Few people want to go to a nursing home. Today there are options available in addition to in-home care that help you or a loved one from having to go into a nursing home. Assisted Living and Memory Care have become a very popular way to receive long-term health care without going into a nursing home.
Assisted Living With Memory Care & Traditional Memory Care
Many assisted living facilities, like Copland Oaks, offer memory care as part of a suite of available services often called continuing care retirement communities or life plan communities.Even if your loved one does not yet require memory care, you may want to consider selecting an assisted living facility that provides it especially if theres always the chance that they may require the support in the future. Easing the transition from assisted living to memory care can also be a smoother process in communities that offer both assisted living and memory care.
Because assisted living and memory care communities are similar, seniors transitioning from independent living to memory care have access to all the advantages of a senior living community:
- 24-hour full-time staff members, meals
- A calendar of activities
- Assistance with activities of daily living
If your loved one is regularly confused, depressed, or has stopped managing their life, even with the help of assisted living, it may be time to make the transition. Memory care can provide significant improvements to your loved ones experience with care tailored to both their physical and mental needs. Memory care environments and care options, like youll find at Copeland Oaks, are carefully and thoughtfully developed to assist seniors with a memory loss disease, like dementia and Alzheimers disease.
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Does Your Parent Or Loved One Need Assisted Living
It is never easy to consider that a parent or loved one is declining and may need help and assistance. Is it the right time? We often avoid thinking about a loved ones declining health. That denial is normal however, part of the problem is your parent or loved one is usually also usually in denial about their need for help and assistance.
All of us value our independence. Few of us want to be dependent on others for anything, much less personal needs. However, is it essential to notice the signs of declining health due to an illness, accident, or the impact of aging, so your loved one is kept safe.
You start by looking for the signs. You may notice unpaid bills sitting on the table. Perhaps there is spoiled food in the refrigerator. You might notice your loved one has lost weight, less talkative, have bruises from potential falls , and maybe they are getting out of the house less often.
When you see them walk, they seem more unsteady on their feet. Maybe their hygiene has changed. Are they wearing the same clothes over and over?
Your loved one may seem depressed, maybe lonely. Maybe they are calling you in the evening and seem scared to be alone. Do they seem confused and act in unusual or inappropriate ways?
Is your loved one’s home age and disability-friendly?
Do you feel like your parent or loved one is safe in their home?
Common Questions When Considering Memory Care
Here are questions to consider if youre wondering whether a loved one could benefit from a facility with memory care:
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What Is Memory Care And How Much Should It Cost
As the elderly population continues to grow, the prevalence of Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia is also rising. The Alzheimers Association reports that in 2020 more than 5.8 million people in the U.S. were living with Alzheimers- and this number could increase to 14 million by 2050. More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia, though doing so becomes more challenging and potentially dangerous as the condition progresses.
While family members and close friends can often manage caring for their loved ones during the early stages of the condition, as it inevitably progresses, it can be safer for the senior to relocate to a residential care community. In fact, the CDC reports that half of all residents of long-term care communities live with cognitive impairment from Alzheimers disease or another dementia.
Many families choose to move their loved one to a memory care community for the enhanced safety and specialized care from experienced caregivers. In addition to their safety, the communities strive to provide a comforting and appealing environment so that residents can maintain a high quality of life. If youre considering memory care for a loved one, this guide will help you better understand what memory care is, the cost of memory care, and how to select the best option for your loved one.