Assisted Living Vs. Memory Care: What's The Difference?

When you’re looking for a place for your loved one, you may be wondering where to begin. From in-home health care and nursing homes to assisted living and memory care, which is the right one? And what’s the difference?

While it can significantly depend on the level of care you or a loved one needs, some major differences between assisted living and memory care are vital to know and make an educated decision on which is best when the time is right.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a type of senior housing that assists with activities of daily living (ADLs). These include:

Bathing
Dressing
Grooming
Toileting
Eating
Transferring (moving from chair to bed, etc.)

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, there are approximately 28,900 assisted living communities in the U.S with over 1 million residents. That number grows by the day and is often a stepping stone for the next stage of life care— from home hospice to memory care.

Services and amenities vary by community, but many provide three meals a day, laundry and housekeeping services, transportation, social and recreational activities, and access to on-site health care services. They also may provide 24-hour supervisory staff, wellness programs, medication management, and even in-house hair salons, among other necessities.

Who Is Assisted Living For?

Assisted living is designed for seniors who need some help with activities of daily living but don’t necessarily require the around-the-clock skilled nursing care provided in a nursing home.

In most assisted living communities, residents have their own private apartments or rooms and share common areas with other residents, such as dining rooms, recreation rooms, and outdoor spaces. They can maintain more independence than memory care but less than a senior community. They can have access to nursing care if they need it and programs to keep them busy and active.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

Assisted living averages $5,380 a month, according to statistics put together by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). That cost goes into paying for rent, utilities, housekeeping and laundry services, social and recreational activities, transportation, and 24/7 security.

The Benefits of Assisted Living

Assisted living may not be for everyone, especially those who require more enhanced medical care. However, some benefits of assisted living include:

More social interaction and opportunities to meet new friends
A sense of community
Activities and amenities to keep them active and engaged
Stimulating environment
Customizable care plans
An alternative to living at home alone
Quick access to emergency medical care should they need it

The Drawbacks of Assisted Living

While assisted living is definitely beneficial for many older adults who need somewhere to live that provides them the assistance they need to keep their independence, they also have some drawbacks.

The cost is more expensive than other senior living options
A smaller space than they’re used to if coming from a home
Less privacy and independence than other senior living options

What Is Memory Care?

Memory care, on the other hand, could be categorized as similar to assisted living, but it has a much bigger emphasis on assisting those with memory loss. This means additional activities, specialty care, and certified caregivers who know how to handle issues associated with memory and forms of dementia. Memory care facilities may help residents with:

Maintaining their memory with socializing activities
Reminding them to bathe, eat, groom, go to the bathroom
Medication management
Additional memory therapies such as cognitive exercises

How Much Does Memory Care Cost?

According to AARP and 2021 NIC (National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care) statistics, the average monthly cost for memory care in the United States is $6,935. Memory care is not nearly as expensive as nursing homes or round-the-clock hospice care, which can reach $10,000 or more a month. However, it is still costly because memory care facilities require added security, special programs, more staff-to-patient ratios, and other additional things that increase the costs.

Who Is Memory Care For?

Memory care is meant for people struggling with memory issues from dementia, Alzheimer’s, or traumatic brain injuries. It allows them a place to get the fully dedicated care they require that is specific to their needs associated with memory care. People with dementia may require additional care because they struggle with:

Remembering to go to the bathroom
Getting up or going to bed due to changes in their internal clock
Anxiety and depression
Basic bathing and grooming
Getting around via a walker or wheelchair
Eating and drinking
Hallucinating or experiencing panic attacks
Both speaking and understanding speech

The Benefits of Memory Care

Memory care is beneficial to those who require specialized care for issues associated with memory. Some benefits include:

A safe and secure environment
Activities designed to keep the mind active
Specialized staff who are trained to handle memory issues
Stimulating social interaction
Care tailored to the individual’s needs

The Drawbacks of Memory Care

Memory care, like assisted living, has some drawbacks that potential residents or their families should keep in mind. These include:

Very expensive
It can be a difficult transition for the patients
Requires more round-the-clock care
As memory declines, the amount of care required can change rapidly
There isn’t always availability in certain memory programs— you may have to shop around a bit